8 Most Dangerous Luxury Cars

Although generally well-built, they're not designed to deflect small overlap frontal crashes

Aug 22, 2012, 9:04 am EDT | By Douglas McIntyre, Co-Founder & Editor, 24/7 Wall St.

2012 BMW 328i

#2: BMW 3 Series

Small overlap frontal crash test rating: marginal
J.D. Power Initial Quality: 4 out of 5
Price: $34,900
2011 sales: 94,371

In the BMW 3-series’ crash test, the side torso airbag did not deploy and the side curtain airbags did not have “sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.” Meanwhile, the footrest came toward the passenger substantially in the crash, which IIHS said could cause injuries to the ankle, heel and right lower leg. For the other four safety tests (front moderate overlap, side, rollover and rear), the vehicle received scores of “good.” Sales of the BMW 3 series in 2011 were 6.5% lower than in 2010 and nearly a third lower from what they were in 2007.