Can passenger airbag be disabled on e46?

[nero]

Good day

I need an answer from BMW enthusiasts before I throw in the towel. My wife needs to travel with our little one(very little, only 4 months) and would prefer him on the front seat so he can see her and basically be easy to calm during a trip.

The e46 manual says take it to a BMW dealer in the unlikely event that you need to travel with a child in front so they can disable it. After much thought I gave the local BMW stealership a call and they said it can't be done. None of their customers have ever asked for such a thing. I'll need to call BMW SA so they can explain to me. Is it that bad?

Currently, the wife uses an Audi in which it is as easy as inserting the key in the cubyhole and the passenger airbag is off. The problem is the Audi is manual and she loves her auto.

Why is it so difficult with the BMs? Even the ISOfix hitches are missing on the front passenger seat of the e46. Almost like BMW doesn't like the idea.

 

[Hellas]

Correct. Front seat is not a good idea. And not all E46s even have the ISOfix on the rear seat.
For some sinister reason the airbag issue on a BMW is very tricky, but I would be interested to hear BMWSA's explanation since it's stated in the manual. Could be something like this was only on US spec...

 

[nero]

Thanks HELLAS.

I don't feel like pushing the issue much further as we have the other option. We just have to wait until the little one moves into a proper front-facing seat, then he can sit at the back and she can drive her auto again. IMO, it's not worth the risk. It sure would have been nice.

 

[zaleonardz]

nero,

Crash data has indicated that children really do not belong on the front seat, even in a car chair.

My daughter grew up in a car chair on the back seat, and even at 4 years of age, gets in her car seat in the back.

 

[netercol]

Crash data has indicated that children really do not belong on the front seat, even in a car chair.

have to agree here, i have seen unspeakable things happen to children on the front seats in accidents.. dont do it..

 

[Venda Boy]

My advice: Dont do it. safety 1st.

 

[Legacy]

In the EU it is illegal to have children under the age of 12 on the front seat... That should tell you that children don't belong in the front at all...

 

[nero]

Heard loud and clear guys. He is always at the back with the wife when I'm driving. However, there are those days she needs to go with him in my absence and so far he's had to ride in the Audi which has the provisions. From what you are saying, even that is not worth taking the chance. From now on he's going to have to cry his heart out at the back then . On the plus side, mommy can drive her auto again.

 

[Dragonman]

Hi All, Depending on the model of E46, some of them had weight pads in the front seats to disable the airbag. Basically if there was a weight lest then 28-36Kg??? if I remember correctly, the airbag would not deploy. The system would only be active with the seatbelt clicked in. So to test click the seat belt in ,and then drive with no weight in the front seat, you will see the airbag light go on on the dash showing disabled. I think it was post facelift but I could be wrong. It is meant for rear facing car seats only.

 

[StK]

If you have sss you can do it.....As the others have said its not advisable though.Your local dealer should be able to do it....probably hasn't done it before though so has told you he can't

 

[Coisman]

imp:
I NEVER allowed my kids in the front seat! :nono:
Only now I allow my oldest, who is almost 13 to sit infront.