No Tether Anchors in BMW 5 touring 2003?

[Anna678]

Hi all,

I have a BMW 5 Touring (525i, production year 2003) model and would like to install a child seat which comes with a top tether strap. I have been searching the car all over for those bloody anchors and am unable to find them! I have checked the back of the backseats, on the boot floor mat, up and down, you name it...
For those of you owing this model, I would really appreciate your feedback!

All the Best,

Anna

EDIT 1: Does anybody owning this model have a picture of their top tether anchors they can post here? That would be really helpful!

[treat44]

I used the ones on the floor right behind the seats


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[rickadootrd]

I have a similar issue. I just bought a super clean Black rear "bench" seat for my 2003 Touring, for my Grey to Black interior swap, it came from a 2001 touring. I just realized that the "new" black one doesn't have cutouts for the bottom anchor child seat clips like my 2003 does... MIND BLOWN! As I have my first born due in Sept... I'm thinking it had to have been an option? Or they weren't implemented until later production models... I guess I should be able to make some cutouts to retrofit, because the anchors should be fixed to the chassis...

[treat44]

I have a similar issue. I just bought a super clean Black rear "bench" seat for my 2003 Touring, for my Grey to Black interior swap, it came from a 2001 touring. I just realized that the "new" black one doesn't have cutouts for the bottom anchor child seat clips like my 2003 does... MIND BLOWN! As I have my first born due in Sept... I'm thinking it had to have been an option? Or they weren't implemented until later production models... I guess I should be able to make some cutouts to retrofit, because the anchors should be fixed to the chassis...

Your talking LATCH
OP is talking tether anchors. It’s the optional strap on back of seat to make the install tighter.
Use the cargo anchors, it’s an optional thing anyway and can’t hurt.


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[rickadootrd]

Your talking LATCH
OP is talking tether anchors. It’s the optional strap on back of seat to make the install tighter.
Use the cargo anchors, it’s an optional thing anyway and can’t hurt.


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Tether Anchors? Can't picture it.. ANyone have a pic? Yes, LATCH... I guess it was a build option?

[StephenVA]

The latch is built into the seat near the buckle. See swinging door like item where the seat back and bottom meet. Anchor located on the floor behind the rear seat commonly referred to as a cargo holder point for straps. If you need a BMW OE cargo floor cover with the anchors pre-cut, see Snotty as I just gave him the one that came with my wagon.

Other common names for these tie down points: Brat seat strap points. I believe the owners manual has all of that listed.

[Twistytee]

I also have an ‘03 and the tether anchors are in the load floor directly behind the rear seats

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

[Anna678]

You don't mean the cargo hooks, right? Because they are not supposed to be used as tether anchors.

[Anna678]

My seats are original from a 2003 build and still do not have them. I have searched the Internet overall, and I find everywhere that all the cars manufactured from 2001 should have them.

Thanks for the pics! Interesting, my car has the cargo hooks but those tether anchor placeholders are missing.

I have the latch (called Isofix in Europe), but strangely not the tether anchors. BTW, cargo holder anchors are different from tether anchors and must not be used for child seat tethering. You can also see that they are in the wrong position on the floor, namely not just in the middle behind the seats.

Your talking LATCH
OP is talking tether anchors. It’s the optional strap on back of seat to make the install tighter.
Use the cargo anchors, it’s an optional thing anyway and can’t hurt.


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For the new safety standard i-size seats, tethering is not optional, in many other not i-size standards is also mandatory. You have to use them with the LATCH to ensure secure child transport for forward-facing seats.