E86 Airbag help - child on the way!

G

GraemeC

New member
Hi all,

My wife has a 2006 E86 3.0 Si Sport, which we bought just over a year ago - buyers guide on here was invaluable!

She loves it, but with a child on the way we have a serious problem - the vehicle does not have the switch to disable the passenger airbag!

I've read various threads which mention a retro-fit kit from BMW, but I've encountered two problems:

1) This weekend I visited two BMW dealers, both of whom told me there was no kit available for the E86

Now I dont for a moment belive the airbag circuits, design etc. is any different in the E86 compared to the E85, but both dealers insisted there was no kit for an E86 - more likely the documentation was never updated for the E86!

2) The second problem is that whilst the kit for the E85 is listed, its been discontinued. Both dealers told me it would not be possible to source the kit.

I know there options to permenently disable the airbag (from complete removal to ODBC settings), but I really want to be able to switch the airbag off for transporting 'Junior' and back on for when there are two adults in the vehicle.

Any help will be greatfully appreciated!
 
Hi - the SI's often have a switch - my 2007 2.5 SI has a switch for the airbag

Im currently looking for a 30 Si if you fancy a swap :-)
 
Hi Graeme,
First of all welcome to the forum and congratulations :thumbsup:
As for your airbag dilemma have you called Lepsons. Used to be Joe there but think the new guy is James or Matt. They may be able to be more exacting for you in your hunt.
Good luck. Interested in finding out how you get on as im in same situation but was going to go for full airbag switch off.
 
inkey$ said:
Hi Graeme,
First of all welcome to the forum and congratulations :thumbsup:
As for your airbag dilemma have you called Lepsons. Used to be Joe there but think the new guy is James or Matt. They may be able to be more exacting for you in your hunt.
Good luck. Interested in finding out how you get on as im in same situation but was going to go for full airbag switch off.
Click to expand...

I think you mean Sopers. :poke:

Only option I can think of is to find a scraper with the switch and light and remove from it. I'm sure you could locate the fitting instructions to see what else is in the retrofit kit.
 
Hi & welcome :)

I might be wrong, but I am sure one of the members looked into this and although you can buy the parts, but for some reason he couldn't get it done! as suggested, call Jamie @ Soper BMW Lincoln and see what he can find out in their system.
 
I would vote for not retrofitting the airbag switch - just get a car with a back seat for transporting the little one. If you did fit the switch, would you be really sure that it was working properly ? Enough to bet your child's life on it ?

I have a 3 month old boy and there is no way on God's green earth he will be going on the Z in a rear facing seat. Mine doesn't have an airbag switch either, but even if it did, I would not be willing to try it,factory fitted or not.

Ultimately, its only a car. You can get another one in a few years when your child is big enough for a forward facing seat (if you think its safe). You cannot replace a child.
 
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