posted 01-21-2002 04:34 PM            

Is he just trying to rip me off or do rear airbags really cost extra?

--Rick

posted 01-22-2002 12:28 AM            

If you go to another car price web site such as the Kelley Blue Book, you'll see them listed there. Option code 0261, invoice price $325, retail price $385.

posted 01-22-2002 01:40 PM            

I'm wondering if they aren't installed at the factory but only turned on and off at the dealer via SW (think about it, would BMW want the dealer messing with a safety system like that if it could be avoided?).

Maybe you can get them turned on/off for free at Dinan or some other place that can interface with the computer. Has anybody heard anything about this?

Thanks again,

posted 01-22-2002 07:15 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick:
Thanks,

I'm wondering if they aren't installed at the factory but only turned on and off at the dealer via SW (think about it, would BMW want the dealer messing with a safety system like that if it could be avoided?).

Maybe you can get them turned on/off for free at Dinan or some other place that can interface with the computer. Has anybody heard anything about this?

---

My dealer told me that the rear air bags come disabled from the factory. The reason is that it's recommended not to have small children in the back with them enabled (this issue is discusssed in detail in the M3 owner's manual), so they want folks to make an explicit decision to enable them. I don't think it's a big risk to have the dealer turn them on or off, it's probably just a software setting, as you point out.

posted 01-22-2002 07:57 PM            

haha man nothing gets done in these cars for free lol. We can wish tho. =))

Scott

posted 01-24-2002 05:02 PM            

--R

quote:

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Originally posted by dglasser:
My dealer told me that the rear air bags come disabled from the factory. The reason is that it's recommended not to have small children in the back with them enabled (this issue is discusssed in detail in the M3 owner's manual), so they want folks to make an explicit decision to enable them. I don't think it's a big risk to have the dealer turn them on or off, it's probably just a software setting, as you point out.

Note: I'm getting the rear air bags and I have two small children. My plan is to leave them disabled until the kids get older.

---

posted 01-24-2002 08:55 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by islander_4c:
Actually ...it is $400 dollars to install the airbags in a deactivated state. My dealer says the activation is 'free' when specifically requested after delivery of the car.

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Yes, this is my understanding as well.

posted 01-25-2002 12:54 PM            

I'm going to worm my way into the install bay when they put these things in just to make sure they really put something in. Call me a cheap bastard...

posted 01-25-2002 01:24 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick:
Got it, if that's the case then I guess there's no free lunch after all.

I'm going to worm my way into the install bay when they put these things in just to make sure they really put something in. Call me a cheap bastard...

---

Rick, based on your comments above, I'm not sure that you completely understand how the rear seat air bag option works. There is nothing that gets installed by the dealer. Specifically:

1) The rear seat air bags are not standard on the M3.
2) The rear seat air bags are a factory option, i.e. if you get them, they are installed at the factory. This is not like, say, the CD changer, which is installed by the dealer. The cost you pay for this option is the cost of having the rear seat air bags physically installed in the car when the car is manufactured at the factory in Germany.
3) By default, the rear seat air bags are programmed to be disabled at the factory.
4) If you want to have the rear seat air bags enabled, you can request this of the dealer when you take delivery. They will reprogram the rear seat air bags free of charge when you take delivery. This is a software setting, there is no physical installation involved.
5) If you order this option but do not have the rear seat air bags enabled by the dealer, then functionally there is no difference than if you didn't order the rear seat air bag option. However, the air bags are still present (you can see their pouches in the rear seat side panels) and you can ask the dealer to enable them at a future date (though possibly for a fee).

posted 01-28-2002 08:20 PM            

I just called BMW USA and they said that it's option code 261 but they can't tell if it's a no-cost factory option or not. My dealer says it's a $400 factory option.

The rep I talked to says she's "99% sure" it's a no-cost option but is going to research it and call me back. As mentioned there's nothing about this option on bmwusa.com.

I'll let everyone know when I get the official word back from BMW USA. In the meanwhile thanks for humoring me as I try to save $400.

posted 01-29-2002 02:36 AM            

As noted above, if you go to one of the regular car pricing web sites (like http://www.kbb.com/ or http://www.edmunds.com/) you can see the pricing information for this option that is not on the bmwusa.com web site.

posted 01-29-2002 05:23 PM            

She has no idea why it's not listed on the bmwusa.com website and said she's never seen anything like this before.

Oh well, I have no kids so I guess the rear airbags are the responsible thing to do so I guess I'm out another $400.

Did everyone else get rear airbags?