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The Bottom Line:
The 2008 BMW 3-Series offers the usual excellent levels of comfort and quality, but larger people may want for something a bit roomier.
Around The Web
The issue is not one of material quality or craftsmanship, but of roominess
Cabin materials look classy
high-quality interior materials
SAFETY | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
visibility is fine
ConsumerGuide
side-impact airbags...properly positioned no matter how the seat is placed
MyRide.com
Four stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact
NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the 2008 BMW 3-Series Sports Wagon four stars for frontal impacts, but top five-star ratings for side impact.
No testing has been performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but an IIHS test specific to the sedan finds it just "acceptable" in its seat-based rear-impact test but "good" in other areas.
A wide range of safety features are included in the Sports Wagon, including electronic stability control, front side airbags, and side curtain bags. MyRide.com reports that in the 2008 BMW "passive occupant protection includes standard seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front seat passengers, an improvement over last year's door-mounted restraints." Because these BMW 2008 airbags are placed in the bolsters rather than the frame, "they are properly positioned no matter how far forward or rearward the seat is placed in the track."
Cars.com points out that the "BMW [2008's] Head Protection System uses a side curtain airbag system to protect occupants in both the front and rear seats."
Available run-flat tires "[allow] 150 miles of range at up to 50 mph," according to MyRide.com.
"Rear visibility is fine," claims ConsumerGuide, although this 2008 BMW's "front pillars can obscure vision to the forward corners."
Conclusion
Front-impact safety is a little less than expected, but the 2008 BMW 3-Series performs well in crash tests.
