Question about side airbags

I currently own a 2003 325i, and am considering adding a second 2006 330i as a second car. Having a child, rear compartment safety is a strong consideration for me. I am located in the US.

A few thoughts:
- Safety is important to me, and I did order my 325i with rear side airbags. I'm from Australia and in Australia, all airbags are standard. The additional cost of US$350 for the airbags was a no brainer for me. Any medical cost or damage would greatly cover that cost.

My questions:
- I don't believe that rear side airbags are a usual option for many buyers? Why is this the case? Cost, performance other? Am I missing some point of having got them?
- Was the change in side airbag location from door to seat due to cost, improved performance, or other reason?
- Is there any reason, safety, cost, time to market or other, that BMW does not offer rear side airbags? I noticed that these are also not available in Australia anymore.
- Are there any studies that show that side rear airbags are dangerous, other than to young children who may rest their heads against the side of the door?

I'd appreciate any information that anyone has on BMW's strategy around this area, and any insightful comments.

TIA.

Reply » Question about side airbags

Quote:

Let me see if I can attempt to answer some of your questions.
1) Rear side air bags have not been ordered by many people for the simple fact that many people do not carry rear passengers and that they are not a good idea for small children, part of the reason why kids should not sit in the front seat is due to air bags so putting them on the side with kids may not be a good idea.
2) The position is now where most manufacturers place them in the side of the seat, the reason for this is now the bag is in the ideal position where ever you move the seat, if it was far up or far back previously you were not in the ideal location for bag deployment.
3) according to the BMW training guide or information book (found somewhere on this site as a .PDF) the structure and protection provided by the new design of the frame and doors absorbs the impact and maintains occupant safety much greater than before and the additional rear bags do not improve over this.
4) I have no studies but I would tend to believe that airbags in general are not in the best interest of children at all, they childre have specially designed car seats to dissipate the impact and minimize negative forces on them and an airbag may compromise these designs and force more energy into them.

The new E90 I am sure is a very safe car, BMW has produced many safe vehicles. Just as an example BMW designed the MINI Cooper which is the smallest car on the road in the US and designed it too be extremely safe, because they believed that safety was a main concern with buyers, may point is that it actually scores higher on many crash tests (front and side)than larger more substantial vehicles. Also since the Audi A4 is a best pick for frontal and side impact as well as the Saab 9-3 I am sure BMW took some ideas from them and also did not want to produce a car that would perform less than them in fear of losing 3 series customers which is BMW's bread and butter.
Hope that some of that makes sense/ helps!

Reply » Question about side airbags

I'm a bit confused. You ordered the 2006 325i w/ "Rear Side Airbags" for an additional $350?

It's STANDARD on ALL 2006 E90s in the US.

"BMW's Head Protection System is an inflatable tubular structure to protect the heads of a vehicle's front and rear seat occupants. Operating in conjunction with the side airbags, the system provides front seat occupants with outstanding protection in the case of severe side impact. It helps protect the head from hitting the side window and being hit by objects penetrating the side window. In recognition of this remarkable protection, BMW was named "Safe Car of the Millennium" by the International Brain Injury Association."

Reply » Question about side airbags

Quote:

There are no REAR side air bags on '06 the HPS system is standard Full length front and back, that is a curtain for heads not side air bags.

Reply » Question about side airbags

That sucks. I think it's more the design of the car's frame that is able to absorb the impact and keep the cabin from collapsing that saves lives than the airbags. Seatbelts probably do a better job than airbags.... Airbags could kill more so than help...

Reply » Question about side airbags

Thanks for all the comments. In response to m3power1, my 2003 325i was ordered with the rear side airbags - it was available as an option for the E46 and not for the E90.

While not definitive, from what I read, it may make sense that the rear frame of the car is stronger than the B pillar, so negates any additional benefit of a rear side airbag, balanced with the fact that the rear of a 3 series may often be occupied by a child. However, I would apprecaite if BMW would confirm this.

Interesting also that BMW went the way of other manufacturers putting in the seat mounted airbags - which makes sense. I wonder if they will have a full side curtain airbag in the future instead of just the HPS balloon.

Thanks All!

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