Help!!! Anyone with a Z4MC & 5 mins to spare...

[GillyD]

My search for a Z4MC continues - I'm hampered by the need for an airbag deactivation switch. Called the Milton Keynes in Car Safety Centre for advice today as I was wondering whether you could put a forward facing seat into the car without disabling the airbags. They told me that it varies from car to car. For example in a VW Passat you can, but not in a Golf. So could some kind soul look in their instruction manual or at their car stickers and just see if it says anything? BMW no longer make the parts to retrofit, so it does narrow the field of what's available and I'm missing out on some decent looking cars by virtue of the missing switch. Our son is technically now large enough - 135cm tall - to not need a seat, but he's only 7 and I still think he needs something to boost him up a bit as all his growth seems to be in his legs! Thanks folks.

 

[Bing]

GillyD, I don't have an MC, but you'll be fine without the button for forward facing - my son was still in a booster seat when I got my first Z (the cup holders on his seat were really handy )

See this thread : http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=34307&hilit=Airbag

 

[M@r]{]

In my book it says you need to deactivate side and front passenger airbags if you want to fit a child seat

 

[GillyD]

Hi thanks for such quick responses - Is that for all seats or just rear facing ones?

 

[M@r]{]

Looking at my manual it says you may or may not be able to switch them off. If you can there will be a key operated switch on the passenger side, in the door shut on the dash?

This is what I'm reading in my manual, I've no experience of this so don't take as gospel

 

[M@r]{]

It doesn't say so implies both I would assume. Just took some pictures of the pages from my manual:

 

[GillyD]

Thank you - that's just what I wanted. Clearly you do need to have the switch.

Thank you everyone - really helpful folks out there. Now all I have to do is find a nice car with the unit fitted!

 

[M@r]{]

Strange isn't it? I would have thought they would all come with it?? Oh well looks like my car escapes being the Baby transport Although thinking about it that means giving the car to the GF when I'm on baby watch duties

Well I'll worry about that in 9months+ time I suppose

As for being a helpful bunch they really are. I've only been on here a few weeks and have found everyone really great (bar a few of the yanks )

 

[M@r]{]

BTW I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me if you can switch off the Passenger Airbags via the OBD2 port? Ie with a computer? You can get bluetooth connectors and with a Phone App access various controls. You may be able to turn the airbags on and off quite simply with that?

Might be worth finding out before you discount cars based on not having that key operation? It may be no Z4MC come with that?

 

[GillyD]

I don't know how you'd do it without the deactivation kit, but I'm stone age when it comes to tech stuff. However, cars with the unit do exist- just not as many of them. I had a Z4MC when I lived in Switzerland a few years ago and I had the button retrofitted, but unfortunately, BMW no longer make the parts which is a complete pain. I shall be patient, until I find the right car, but I wouldn't risk my son's health and welfare - an airbag deploying in his face doesn't bear thinking about.

 

[texasjohn]

All 2008 model year cars have the switch (So from about October 2007 onwards)

 

[srhutch]

GillyD, I don't have an MC, but you'll be fine without the button for forward facing - my son was still in a booster seat when I got my first Z (the cup holders on his seat were really handy )

See this thread : http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=34307&hilit=Airbag

I agree, my 7 year old twins have been out many times, just put the seat right back.

 

[gannet]

I agree, my 7 year old twins have been out many times, just put the seat right back.

hopefully not both at the same time

 

[srhutch]

Of course not, one has to go in the boot.

 

[Lower]

You can have the switch retrofitted at a dealer. The kit is listed for the roadster and also fits the coupe. I was quoted £800 to have it fitted.

Then i found a car with it already fitted from new

 

[srhutch]

You can have the switch retrofitted at a dealer. The kit is listed for the roadster and also fits the coupe. I was quoted £800 to have it fitted.

Then i found a car with it already fitted from new

The OP states these parts are no longer available.

 

[Lower]

I was told the same for the coupe, but they are available for the roadster even though the kit is identical.

 

[srhutch]

From the same dealer both times?

 

[Lower]

yep, Sytner Leicester

 

[WLH]

Just and FYI as all US models of the E-85, 86 had the required switch to turn the airbag off.