More official photos of the new BMW 3-series coupe- Interior part two

Ok...so is the little mechanical arm really there to push the seatbelt toward the front passenger.<br>
<br>
1) That's gonna break<br>
2) I can probably reach it myself<br>
3) Why did you design it way back there?

— rwross (View Profile)

Posted on 4/21/2006 12:29:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Was there not enough room to integrate the shoulder belt into the side of the seat?

— lewissalem (View Profile)

Posted on 4/21/2006 1:20:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I can tell you have never owned a coupe. If a short person sits in the front with the seat all the way up there is no way you can reach the seatbelt.
The mechanism will not break. I had an 88 300CE with the same design and it worked flawlessly. If MB could design it 20 years ago I'm sure the one from BMW will not break.

The only other solution, except for the ugly hooks they have in cheap cars is to mount the seatbelt to the seat. With this design the seats have to be extremely strong, so they don't collapse in an accident. These seats can easily weigh 150-200 lbs. Something you definitely don't want in a small car like the 3 series.

— Ben55 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/21/2006 2:23:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

That feature comes from the very first Mercedes Benz SEC coupes (arround 20 years ago) and is a good one, because most of us will be able to reach the belt , but some times you will forget that and in that case, it is an excelent reminder. BMW and MB does the same all time, now MB is using active lighting but if I remember in the correct way BMW start to use that before MB in the 5 Series 2 or 3 years ago

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/21/2006 2:56:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think it's a good feature and will definitely help keep the weight down like Ben said

— CarFreak (View Profile)

Posted on 4/21/2006 3:30:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

You are right...only had roadsters, sedans, and convertibles.

My current market is for a 4 seater convertible so am curious where they will put the seatbelts for the 3-drop top.

It will also be interesting to see if the side pillar drops down as does the C70 hard top convertible.

Based on your previous comment, I'm assuming the belt will need to run through the side of the seat adding the undesirable weight you mention.

Whole point is a bit moot as the convertible isn't out til next spring and there will likely be no 330 version in the U.S. which bums me out enough that I might *shudder* have to look at what Lexus has to offer in that category.

— rwross (View Profile)

Posted on 4/21/2006 3:54:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think they will have a similar mechanism for the convertible, but they need to redesign the anchoring. Incorporating into the seat is too much weight for the 3 series.

The first CLK used the hook solution and it really showed how they were cutting costs. It looked cheap compared to the 88-95 coupes and convertibles. However, with the new CLK they went back to the seat belt extenders.

— Ben55 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/21/2006 4:53:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Found this pic on www.bmwusa.com
Notice the I-Drive contoller, but no I-Drive screen?

— BENR087 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/21/2006 5:23:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Not sure if you read the above posts, but this is not new. MB had this 20 years ago. It worked flawlessly 20 years ago and I'm sure it will work flawlessly in the new 3.

— Ben55 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2006 2:01:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The seatbelt-getter-gizmo is more proof that this car was designed for chics. It doubles as a tampon holder.

— xryder (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2006 9:58:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1