A testimonial to seat belts and BMW construction

[Automaticftp]

In what could have been a disaster, I was hit by a Dodge Challenger almost head on. My car, a 2003 330xi, was destroyed (see picture).

My son and I were both wearing lap/shoulder belts, and the air bags deployed. We were both able to open the doors and get out; neither of us have anything beyond the usual bumps and bruises you'd expect.

So to ALL: PLEASE NEVER DRIVE WITHOUT YOUR SEAT BELTS PROPERLY FASTENED.

And a big thank you to BMW for building a car that gave its life to save ours. IMG_2634.jpg

[RyansBMW]

Damn. Glad to see you're ok. These cars can def take a beat and protect the valuables inside.

[BimmerBreaker]

Great to hear you walked away from that - looks like a pretty major accident. German engineering goes a long way! Stay safe

[crazy4trains]

First, glad everyone is OK. Second, I would be curious to know how the Challenger held up?

[montaillou]

German engineering goes a long way!

I think government regulation played a bigger role.

[Automaticftp]

Two more pictures, including one of the Challenger:IMG_2645.jpgIMG_2635.jpg

Airbag in the Challenger did not deploy.

[victoriabmw27]

Glad to hear your ok! Looks like a solid impact for sure. How did the Dodge driver fair?

[Wilson740]

I think government regulation played a bigger role.

I think government regulation some but primarily free market capitalism (manufacture competitiveness) to build safe cars is the primary reason.

[montaillou]

I think government regulation some but primarily free market capitalism (manufacture competitiveness) to build safe cars is the primary reason.

Good point. Free market capitalism also ensures a cleaner environment, if only those government regulators didn't get in the way!

[Automaticftp]

Glad to hear your ok! Looks like a solid impact for sure. How did the Dodge driver fair?

Thanks! I was going about 40, she (the Challenger driver) must have been doing at least 30 - she was trying to make a left turn at a light ahead of me. I don't know exactly how she was doing; but she was transported to the local hospital with what looked like a bad bloody nose.

Now, of course, I need to find yet another car. May look at an X3 or an E90, on the theory that as they are a bit larger, they might be a bit safer.

[notMpowered]

Size doesn't necessarily determine safety. Technology does.

[Automaticftp]

Size doesn't necessarily determine safety. Technology does.

I generally agree with you, though I would rather be hit in an U.S. Army 5 ton than a 5 series, for (an admittedly slightly absurd) example. I'd hate to have to buy the gas station necessary to keep it running, though!

That was why I was thinking of an E90 or equivalent X3 - both would be a bit larger as well as more modern technologically. And having walked away from a head-on high-speed impact in an E46, I have to believe the E46 is pretty darn safe to begin with. I'm probably just going through the typical post-accident "I want a M1A2 tank to drive to work" phase . . .

[Sleepyhead97]

Glad your okay. Looks like a very solid collision. This is why I drive a 5 series. I remember watching wildest police chases. A guy was going 100+ and rolled the car several times. He then jumped out the window and ran. Go figure.

As to safety, yes more weight is safer once the impact happens. Bigger cars are not pushed as far, and they typically are not ping-ponged across the road as hard as a smaller car would be. Obviously cabin structure and airbags play a key role to driver safety as well. But once impact happens, its all about physics, weight and momentum.

[Migou]

I'm shocked the air bad didn't go off in the Challenger. It should have. That's not a good thing.

And glad to hear you and your son are safe.

[SpeedsterBek]

Glad to hear that everyone is OK. You and your son is very lucky to be alive and escaped with no harm.

Based on pics, dodge's longer modern softer crumple zone took most of the impact compared to E46. From the crack in the E46 windshield, I assume if the impact was any more faster, safety cage in the E46 would've been compromised.

Dodge driver probably wasn't wearing a seatbelt, since most modern SRS systems don't inflate your airbag if you're not buckled up.

[Automaticftp]

Thanks all for good wishes. I think we were pretty lucky.

Car shopping now; not as much as fun as it used to be . . .