Different part numbers for same thing?

[por1965]

I need to get an airbag for my steering wheel.
Question: The steering wheel I have looks identical to those on other BMW models.
So why is it when I look up on Realoem.com, the BMW part number for the correct airbag is different from the number on other wheels that look exactly the same?

[rsy124]

Unless someone knows for sure, I would get the exact one with the correct part number for something as important as this..

[HoJo]

Just because they look similar on the outside doesn't mean they are the same. They could have different mounting positions, the size of the airbag could be different to account for a farther away steering wheel, the electrical connector could be different. If it were the same part it would have the same part #, why would BMW want to have to stock four different airbags if one would work in all four applications?