Value of Rollover Protection Package?

[mpoteet]

Greetings again. My wife and I are now looking at a used 1996 328i Convertible that does not have either traction control or rollover protection package options installed. Here in Florida we don't have snow so the lack of traction control doesn't concern me.

However, can someone here speak about the protection (not dollar) value of the rollover protection package? Meaning, is it really needed? Does it work? Or is it more hype safety-wise?

If no one can answer, can you at least point me to some references, websites, magazines, etc., that may address this issue?

Finally, does anyone know if it is possible to add these protection packages on later (like now, seven years after car was made)?

Thanks for all the help.

Mark

[Mohegan1]

Mark, my new '04 330Ci has the roll-over protection and the traction control (DSC - Dynamic Stability Control) while my '88 525 cab did not. Thankfully I rolled neither. Nonetheless, the added strength and rigidity of the windshield columns, coupled with the pop-up rollbars reportedly provdies the occupants with about as much protection as you can get out of a cab. Obviously, the head curtain protection is not applicable, so givent the choices it seems like a safer car.

I doubt you can intsall these aftermarket unless you can get a fixed rollover bar. They are tied into the overall frame for support. The ones encased in the rear headrests are activated by rollover sensors or whenever lift is recorded beyond tolerances by the onboard computer. There are pressurized canisters that explode the rollover bars into position. Never seen em in action myself.

I think they are needed especially due to the design, unlike, for example the Saab cab where you are seated so low in the wehicle that the windshield and the trunk should protect you. With that said, the new design for the 2004 Saab has the roll bars (the Audi A4 already has it in theirs as well).

The traction control is not just for snow. The feature works equally well in rain and I know you have that there. You cannot, for example, accelerate through a turn and spin out nor will itlet you do a whole bunch of unwise maneuvers. Of course, if you hit a curve going well in excess of the speed youshould be, the car will put braking pressure indepently to the wheels and retard engine speed...but it won't work miracles. It is better keeping you out of getting yourself into trouble than recovering you from being in trouble already...but it does work in both scenarios to assist you beyond your own abilites (the computer thing).

Stop into a dealership and look through oneof the manuals. BMWUSA.com has them online but i think you need to be an owner to have access. Still, it probably has literature on it availale to the public on your topics. I have seen the DSC and Active Rollover protection topics there in the safety sections.

It's one of those things, you may never need it, but it's nice to know it's there!!