BMW Z4M C - Airbag deactivation Switch

[GillyD]

Hi folks - quick question as i'm on the verge of buying a Z4M C 2008 model here in Switzerland. Here's the thing - I have a 4 year old son and so I will need to get the front airbag passenger side deactivated and i'm getting different stories from different dealers as to whether it's possible or not. In fact i have a tech spec from BMW (all in German) regarding retro fitting the switch in the normal Coupe and the Roadster - i'm assuming that the electricals are just the same in the M... One big dealer here told me that it wasn't possible because of the seatbelt pre-tensioners etc and that i would have to change the seat belts and that then the airbag would be permanently off, whereas the BMW tech info i have appears to be a normal 'on/off' switch. It's driving me slightly crazy as it's such an important thing and my German's just not up to techy conversations - can anyone help as i've found a lovely car, loaded with extras but no switch (normal here in Switzerland - it's not mandatory to have a one)! HELP before i go mad with too much googling of airbag info!

Gilly

[KENZ]

2007 model have it as std..Think it was an option in 2006..

[Fidgits]

KENZ said:

2007 model have it as std..Think it was an option in 2006..

really?

I have an 07 and the previous owner had to retrofit it...

its possible, and its about £400..

[GillyD]

Fidgits said:

KENZ said:

2007 model have it as std..Think it was an option in 2006..

really?

I have an 07 and the previous owner had to retrofit it...

its possible, and its about £400..

Cheers, just the info I wanted - someone who's actually got a car where it was retro-fitted - was beginning to wonder if the M was different in some way from the standard cars. I've been quoted CHF950 which translates as about £400 give or take a bit - so sounds about right. Just wondering why a main dealer swore blind it wasn't possible! Thought i was going to have to go back to the drawing board.

[Fidgits]

I have the invoice in front of me.

the item ref is 7261180 (retrofit front passenger airbag deactivation switch)

total price was £411.24

[GillyD]

Many thanks. Actually the reference numbers are different, but that's probably because i'm in Switzerland. However, the intro part of the workshop instructions i have are, roughly translated...

"Original BMW accessories. Fitting instruction. 1 Retrofit disconnection Beifahrerairbag BMW Z4 Roadster (E 85) starting from 01/2006 BMW Z4 Coupé (E 86) Re-tooling record number.: 61 31 0 411,229 supplementary part disconnection Beifahrerairbag"

And a later diagram shows an on/off switch with a key - it all looks fine and the garage knows that i want to be able to turn it on or off depending on whether i have an adult in the car.

Think i'll take the workshop notes to the other dealer and ask exactly why they think it can't be done!!! (Maybe they were hoping i'd buy the new version or something)!