Originally Posted by Sifford' post='252775' date='Mar 10 2006, 07:03 AM

I've been reporting this issue to BMW since March 2004. I had to give them video tape showing that it didn't work, because initially I received the same excuse, "We can't recreate the issue." After proving there was a problem, all they kept saying was that it would be fixed in the next update. Close to two years later still no progress with it. Last November, I had enough of it and really started raising hell with BMW NA. They confirmed that if warning light comes on, then the airbag will indeed not deploy.

This January, they finally got tired of my complaints and threats that I was going to report this to the National Transportation Safety Board (government agency in the US). An update now exists to fix this problem. The issue was a tough one to get resolved because I have Comfort Seats and since there weren't many cars with the Comfort Seats, they put it at a lower priority to get the issue addressed.

So....to fix your issue, download the attached spec sheet and take it down to your dealer. Have them reprogram the OC3 seat mat sensor and you should be able to breathe easier knowing that if your girlfriend is riding along with you and you get in a wreck, the airbag will deploy for her. Good luck with the fix and let me know if it works. I can't test the fix because my wife is pregnant and her added weight now makes the sensor "think" she's sitting in the seat now.