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2009 BMW M5 Safety Review

May 8, 2009

SAFETY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Rear-seat side-impact airbags are optional
Cars.com

Good," frontal offset impact; "marginal," side impact
IIHS

Three stars, front driver impact; five stars, front passenger impact and side impact
NHTSA

According to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, the BMW 5-Series has crash-test scores that simply aren’t competitive with those of top-drawer luxury sedans. The 2009 M5 hasn't been tested by either of the crash-test authorities, but the virtually identical 5-Series on which it's based has, and you can expect similar results.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 5-Series the highest possible rating, "good," for the IIHS's frontal offset impact test. But without the optional side-impact airbags installed, the BMW 5-Series only earned a "marginal" score, the second-worst score possible, in the IIHS side-impact test. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, the 5-Series scored quite well, with one notable exception. NHTSA awarded the BMW 5er a perfect five-star rating for side impact tests, as well as a five-star rating for passenger-side front impacts. Unfortunately, the 2009 BMW 5-Series, and accordingly the M5 BMW, earned only three out of a possible five stars for driver front-impact protection.

Regarding safety features, Cars.com reports that the BMW M5 has "side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags and Dynamic Stability Control" as standard, as well as "traction control," according to Edmunds. Kelley Blue Book also notes the "sophisticated set of electronic stability, traction and brake controls" included on the M5 BMW. In terms of optional safety features, the BMW M5 offers two. Edmunds lists these M5 BMW safety add-ons as "rear seat side airbags and active head restraints," which move forward to help prevent whiplash in the event of a collision. Cars.com notes a "Park Distance Control" system comes standard to help with close parking maneuvers.

Conclusion

The 2009 BMW M5 possesses all the features to foster an impression of security, but not all the crash-test scores back that up.

SAFETY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Rear-seat side-impact airbags are optionalCars.comGood," frontal offset impact; "marginal," side impactIIHSThree stars, front driver impact; five stars, front passenger impact and side impactNHTSA According to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, the BMW 5-Series has crash-test scores that simply aren’t competitive with those of top-drawer luxury sedans. The 2009 M5 hasn't been tested by either of the crash-test authorities, but the virtually identical 5-Series on which it's based has, and you can expect similar results. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 5-Series the highest possible rating, "good," for the IIHS's frontal offset impact test. But without the optional side-impact airbags installed, the BMW 5-Series only earned a "marginal" score, the second-worst score possible, in the IIHS side-impact test. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, the 5-Series scored quite well, with one notable exception. NHTSA awarded the BMW 5er a perfect five-star rating for side impact tests, as well as a five-star rating for passenger-side front impacts. Unfortunately, the 2009 BMW 5-Series, and accordingly the M5 BMW, earned only three out of a possible five stars for driver front-impact protection. Regarding safety features, Cars.com reports that the BMW M5 has "side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags and Dynamic Stability Control" as standard, as well as "traction control," according to Edmunds. Kelley Blue Book also notes the "sophisticated set of electronic stability, traction and brake controls" included on the M5 BMW. In terms of optional safety features, the BMW M5 offers two. Edmunds lists these M5 BMW safety add-ons as "rear seat side airbags and active head restraints," which move forward to help prevent whiplash in the event of a collision. Cars.com notes a "Park Distance Control" system comes standard to help with close parking maneuvers. ConclusionThe 2009 BMW M5 possesses all the features to foster an impression of security, but not all the crash-test scores back that up. 2009 BMW M5 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "simple, modernistic dashboard" Kelley Blue Book: "all 5 Series models get styling enhancements for 2009" Cars.com: "unique front face to distinguish it from other 5 Series sedans " The M-specific styling touches are nice, but the 2009 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Audi S6 has a massively powerful V-8, but it's still a step slower than the BMW. The newly minted 500-horsepower Jaguar XF-R is far more handsome. The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG comes closest to the performance of the BMW M5 and looks better going about it.

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See the BMW M5 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2000

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  e39 m5 #1, Posted: 10/20/2009

    While so much has already been said about the e60 m5 - one thing that people tend to forget is how incredible the car really is in terms of it's ability to perform dual duty as track monster and also the daily driver ability.
    Chris Bangle did the brand few favors with the e60's clinical look and the excess techno wizardry does disconnect the driver somewhat from what the driving experience is all about. The e34 m5 and the e39 m5 were far more connected to the road, with less "interference" from technology.
    I happen to feel that the e39 m5 is STILL best balance of M Power, driving experience and modern day technology.
    Further, with the price of the E39 m5's on the market today - bang for buck is tremendous.

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