BMW Seats with integrated airbags?

[herbsflat4]

I have tried to search on the topic of using aftermarket seats in buggies and haven't been able to find much.

I have my eyes on some BMW seats out of a E90 (Saloon) M3. I don't know the exact year but the ad on CL states trim levels 325i, 328i, and 330i years 2006-2012.

I dont know anything about the airbags though. How they mount, how do they wire up?

I have called BMW and hopefully will be able to spec with a technician there but until then I am looking for some help here please.

Can I remove the seat mounted airbags?
Are there documents available online about possibly replacing the airbags? Or can I leave then installed and forget about them since I wont be wiring the airbags up anyways?
Or am I just getting in over my head and need to wait on some non-airbag equipped seats?

Has anyone dealt with airbag equipped seats before?

Thanks in advance.

[btonns]

If I were you, I would look into Vader seats from an E36 M3. They came in 1995-1999 M3 Sport models. Sport models only came in 2 door. The seats come in manual or power, heated or non-heated. Most years were made of nappa leather. There was a shortage one year, but I cannot remember.

I have a 1997 M3 and my seats are even more comfortable than my PRP Roadsters in my buggy.

If you need measurements of the seats, I can get them for you.

Also, check out bimmerforums.com in their classified section for used seats. There are plenty of people parting out cars on that forum.

[hotrod100]

I would not use the seat air bags. At a minimum you will need a sensing and diagnostic module, multiple impact sensors, complete harness and even after all that it still won't work since it also needs to communicate with the BCM and ECM over the CAN network. I also think it would be really unsafe since the bags are designed for the interior shape of a specific vehicle.
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[Letterman7]

Use 'em and forget about the airbags. As hotrod stated, airbags rely on multiple sensors to activate. Clip the wires off so they don't accidentally deploy if for some reason a current gets to the wire.

[didget69]

An upholstery shop could remove the airbags - but BMW seats will probably be too large to fit into the buggy.
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[slalombuggy]

[kustoms]

I am pretty sure they are too wide. We would charge $100.00 per seat to remove them and fill the void. You most definitely do not want to wire them in to the buggy. BTW if you add a power and ground to the two leads it’s all over. Air bags are extremely dangerous. Do a YouTube search to see the power they have.
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[herbsflat4]

btonns - I will have to do some more searching on those seats and on the link. If it is convenient, please let me know what size seat widths you used.

hotrod - I should have mentioned that I in no way intend to "hook up" and activate the airbags. I am just interested in the seats because they have power controls, heat, leather and seem like a good option.

letterman - I want to do what you mentioned. Install them and be totally comfortable with myself knowing that because the airbags AREN'T "wired" up and the sensors AREN'T in place that the airbags will never go off. But, I can't really come to terms with that yet because I dont know enough about the wiring or the setup of the airbags.

didget69 - I wasn't sure if upholstery shops would touch airbags.

slalombuggy - I didn't really think about the weight. I imagine that all the motors, wiring, airbags, etc stack up the weight quick.....I think I will be moving on to different seats based on the replies here anyways. I dont feel comfortable with the airbags mounted in the seats.

kustoms - That is good to know. $100 per seat really jacks the overall price up on them. The owner of the seats did however measure them for me. He stated "The tops are 18 inches wide and the bottom near the controls and the plastics cover is around 19.5 inches wide." So it would be really close fit. Even if I got them mounted I probably wont be able to get my hand between the buggy and the seats to use the switches.

I guess it is back to more searching. I appreciate the help you guys.

I just want to get setup on some heated, leather seats of good quality.

[rmckay]

Look at Miata seats. They are pretty easy to find and fit great in a buggy.
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[GPM]

Have you considered fitting a pair of seats and then using an aftermarket kit to provide the heated bit? Not sure on availability over the pond but the likes of Waeco do some decent kits

[herbsflat4]

Yes. I have read through kustoms build a few times and saw where he installed some seat heaters.

I am trying to track down a decent set of Miata seats somewhat locally to Charlotte NC now. Then I will just try to find some heaters to install.

[kustoms]

We sell them when you find some seats.
_________________
Google this.
"Bread and Circuses"

And wondering what the heck happen to my Samba post count?!?
Tom Thompson
Tijuana Kustoms Inc. (TM)
1-516-338-8746
www.tjkustoms.com

[joescoolcustoms]

[kustoms]

[vincent9993]

[vincent9993]

[Hank22]

Tom
what hours do you keep, I stopped by a few saturdays ago and you were shut tight.

[EVfun]

Hate to break it to ya, but the blondes stay with the BMW, they don't go with the seats they where sitting in.
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[joescoolcustoms]

[kustoms]

Pssst...Hey Joe, I got this sweet Rolex for sale. Just 20 bucks.
_________________
Google this.
"Bread and Circuses"

And wondering what the heck happen to my Samba post count?!?
Tom Thompson
Tijuana Kustoms Inc. (TM)
1-516-338-8746
www.tjkustoms.com