2018 BMW 3 series
midsize luxury car / 4-door sedan
Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights; applies only to 4-door sedans
Small overlap front: driver-side
Rating applies to 2017-18 models built after November 2016
Tested vehicle: 2017 BMW 330i 4-door
The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2012 model year. For the 2016 model year, a front suspension change was made to better control wheel movement during small overlap frontal crashes. The change, however, wasn't enough to improve the car's performance in the small overlap test.
Beginning with 2017 models built after November 2016, BMW made further changes to the suspension and modified the adjoining structure. Wheel movement was much better controlled and the car's performance in the small overlap test was greatly improved. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics |
Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.
The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.
The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.
Forces on the right lower leg were just high enough to indicate a moderate risk of injury.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | CEN1639 |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Footrest (cm) | 16 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 11 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 12 |
| Parking brake (cm) | |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 3 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 3 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 3 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | CEN1639 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 549 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 22 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.42 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 19 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 3.4 |
| Right | 3.4 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 4 |
| Right | 4 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.65 |
| Right | 0.82 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 3.4 |
| Right | 4.2 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 140 |
| Right | 68 |
Moderate overlap front: original test
Rating applies to 2012-18 models
Tested vehicle: 2012 BMW 328i 4-door
The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2012 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Leg/foot, left | |
| Leg/foot, right | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTF1118 |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 4 |
| Left (cm) | 4 |
| Center (cm) | 3 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 0 |
| Rearward (cm) | -5 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | VTF1118 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 132 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 15 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 8 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 26 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force - left (kN) | 1.4 |
| Femur force - right (kN) | 1.7 |
| Knee displacement - left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement - right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index - left | 0.38 |
| Maximum tibia index - right | 0.30 |
| Tibia axial force - left (kN) | 3.2 |
| Tibia axial force - right (kN) | 3.3 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 60 |
| Right | 61 |
Side: original test
Rating applies to 2012-18 models
Tested vehicle: 2012 BMW 335i 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2012 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Torso | |
| Pelvis/leg | |
| Driver head protection | |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Torso | |
| Pelvis/leg | |
| Rear passenger head protection | |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTS1120 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) | -16.5 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. | |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | VTS1120 |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 323 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 41 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.37 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.72 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 2.8 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Combined force (kN) | 4.5 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.3 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 157 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 64 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID | VTS1120 |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 125 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 14 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 21 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 17 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.69 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.18 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Combined force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 128 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 44 |
Roof strength
Rating applies to 2012-18 models
Tested vehicle: 2012 BMW 335i 4-door
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,516 lbs |
| Peak force | 17,527 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.98 |
Head restraints & seats
Seat type: Power leather seats
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | |
| Seat/head restraint geometry |
| Seat type | Power leather seats |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 44 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 23 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 11.9 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 68 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 51 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 631 |
About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.
Headlights
Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.
Trim level(s)
- 328d trim equipped with Executive package
- 328xd trim equipped with Executive package
- 330i trim equipped with Executive package
- 330xi trim equipped with Executive package
- 340i trim equipped with Executive package
- 340xi trim equipped with Executive package
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
|---|---|
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating | |
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.
High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the sharp right curve.
| Trim level(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models |
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 78.1 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 35.0 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 75.2 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 36.6 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 60.0 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 37.9 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 175.7 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 151.6 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 88.3 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 77.6 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 64.8 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 60.5 m |
Trim level(s)
- 328d trim
- 328xd trim
- 330i trim
- 330xi trim
- 340i trim
- 340xi trim
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
|---|---|
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
|
Overall rating | |
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
| Trim level(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
|
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models |
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 73.0 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 21.0 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 46.3 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 32.0 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 31.8 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 28.4 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 141.7 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 90.1 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 55.5 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 50.8 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 43.8 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 43.2 m |
Trim level(s)
- 320i trim
- 320xi trim
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
|---|---|
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
|
Overall rating | |
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
| Trim level(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
|
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models |
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 53.1 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 28.1 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 39.3 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 29.1 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 31.5 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 29.1 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 145.2 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 122.3 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 55.6 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 54.4 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 42.5 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 42.6 m |
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2015-18 models
| Overall evaluation | |
| Vehicle trim | 328xi |
| Seat type | leather |
This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.
It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.
| Overall evaluation | |
| Vehicle trim | 328xi |
| Seat type | leather |
| G | Good |
| A | Acceptable |
| M | Marginal |
| P | Poor |
| Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated. | |
thether anchor symbol | Tether anchor |
lower anchor symbol | Lower anchors |
| Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s) | |
| No hardware available |
Details by seating position
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| too deep in seat | |
| not too much force needed to attach | |
| difficult to maneuver around anchors | |
| 2 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| none available | |
| 3 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| too deep in seat | |
| not too much force needed to attach | |
| difficult to maneuver around anchors |
Seat position 21
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 4-6 |
| Force (lbs) | 15 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 0 |
| Lower anchor B | |
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 4-6 |
| Force (lbs) | 13 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 0 |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
Not measured |
Seat position 22
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| No lower latch for this seat position | |
| Lower anchor B | |
| No lower latch for this seat position | |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
Not measured |
Seat position 23
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 4-6 |
| Force (lbs) | 18 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 0 |
| Lower anchor B | |
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 4-6 |
| Force (lbs) | 17 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 0 |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
Not measured |
Rating applies to 2016-18 models
| Overall evaluation | |
| Vehicle trim | 328i |
| Seat type | leather |
This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.
It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.
| Overall evaluation | |
| Vehicle trim | 328i |
| Seat type | leather |
| G | Good |
| A | Acceptable |
| M | Marginal |
| P | Poor |
| Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated. | |
thether anchor symbol | Tether anchor |
lower anchor symbol | Lower anchors |
| Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s) | |
| No hardware available |
Details by seating position
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| too deep in seat | |
| too much force needed to attach | |
| difficult to maneuver around anchors | |
| 2 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| none available | |
| 3 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| too deep in seat | |
| too much force needed to attach | |
| difficult to maneuver around anchors |
Seat position 21
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 4-6 |
| Force (lbs) | could not measure |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | could not measure |
| Lower anchor B | |
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 4-6 |
| Force (lbs) | could not measure |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | could not measure |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
Not measured |
Seat position 22
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| No lower latch for this seat position | |
| Lower anchor B | |
| No lower latch for this seat position | |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
Not measured |
Seat position 23
| Lower anchor A | |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 4-6 |
| Force (lbs) | could not measure |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | could not measure |
| Lower anchor B | |
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 4-6 |
| Force (lbs) | could not measure |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | could not measure |
| Tether anchor | |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
Not measured |