Retrofitting Side Rear Air Bags?

[1823alex]

I probably wouldn't end up doing this but, out of curiousity how hard would it be or is it even possible to retrofit rear air bags on a 2003 530i?

My dad's 03 525i had the rear air bags but mine didn't come with it from the factory? Although I swear I heard somewhere that all 2003 had them as standard equipment??

Can someone clarify whether or not all 03 got them as standard or if it was still just a no cost option?

[Qsilver7]

If you have them it is a simple as looking at your rear doors. Air bags in the rear doors are identified just like the ones in the front doors (again, take a look and you'll see the words embossed in the front doors...if you have them in the rear, they will appear the same way).

See info below from the TIS for visual verification location of rear door air bags:


http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Airbag%20Deactivation%20Procedure%20BMW%20TIS.jpg

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Airbag%20Deactivated%20Warning%20Sticker%20Locatio ns.jpg

[Dking078]

Could have been a stand-alone option. Mine sure doesn't.

As far as a potential retrofit, I'm talking with nothing to back this up, BUT.

In theory, yes. But for safety reasons take what I say with a serious grain of salt!

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e39-540i-lim/wiring-functional-info/body/body-electrics/restraint-systems/airbag/side-airbag/d51cRMI

Shows that there are 2x 2 wires from the SRS module to door wire bundle. (Assuming car are NOT pre-wired) you would have to mimic this wiring from the SRS > Door carrier > Door panel > Airbag

Also you would need to either CODE your existing SRS or some other trickery as well as finding rear SRS compatible door panels.

[Spirit Force]

Sure it can be done, but why? I mean if you're concerned about safety 15 years old car is totally the wrong choice. Honestly adding those airbags ain't going to do much for safety compared changing to a newer car. Crash safety has come a long way since e39. Just take a look at e39 NCAP crash test vs any new car.. You'll just need to do the wiring, install the airbags, replace the rear door panels and then code airbag module for the rear airbags.

[1823alex]

I guess I don't have them for sure since I have no labels at all in the rear door wells & no AIRBAG stamp on the rear door panels :(

Like I said I wasn't actually likely to retrofit them & I'm not extremely concerned about safety in a car that weights almost 2 tons... I was just curious if BMW pre-wired it or something as I forgot to look / pay attention when I removed my rear door panel...