No side airbags! Why?

[Pond]

My 2001 (built Dec 2000) 3 litre Z3 doesn't have side (door) airbags. At least I am 99.999% sure it doesn't.
My Bentley Z3 service manual says that all models from 4/1999 should have them. Is it because they were an option in the UK and the book is American?
I want to be 100% sure they are not there before I take the door cards off. The leather panel has no indication there is an airbag under it and is a single piece with no breaks.

 

[Mint]

My 2002 doesn't have any either.
Not sure if they were an option back then.

 

[Stevo7682]

My Dakar has them but fitted as optional extra.
Separate rectangular panel built into the leather and outer edge plastic has srs badge which if missing would leave holes in the doorcard plastic.

Stephen.

 

[Scooblitz]

Very rare to see these in any z3 from 1.9i to Z3M coupe.

Safety wasn't a big deal in the late 90s and early 2000s. Mine doesn't even have a passenger airbag.

I've been down a bit of a rabbit hole in regards to retrofitting these but it's uncharted water. There are numerous variables to consider with this mod.

Best to find a car with side bags as standard... or wear a helmet.

 

[Pond]

My Dakar has them but fitted as optional extra.
Separate rectangular panel built into the leather and outer edge plastic has srs badge which if missing would leave holes in the doorcard plastic.

Stephen.

If you need a passenger airbag (complete with dashboard) I will have one available soon!

 

[137699]

The original owner of my M Coupe ticked EVERY option box except 1...
- he wanted headlamp washers to see where he was going, he wanted tinted windscreen, he wanted the sunroof & the decent HK audio, he even wanted stress free motorway driving as he optioned cruise control.

However he didn't plan to survive an accident - he left off the side airbags.... go figure?!

 

[jaguartvr]

Simple answer, he was the driver so didn't need a passenger airbag!

 

[137699]

Side airbags not passenger!
it has the passenger airbag….

 

[Ianmc]

Only need an airbag if you crash.

 

[jaguartvr]

If you need a passenger airbag (complete with dashboard) I will have one available soon!

You need to keep the dashboard but not the airbag

 

[Pond]

You need to keep the dashboard but not the airbag

I thought the new one was a replacement. Does it sit over the existing then?

 

[jaguartvr]

You need this section that is cut off from the main dashboard. The new dash is bonded onto it with tiger seal. The air vents underneath keep it all in the correct position and support the dash. It also means the air ducts still work so that you can desist the windscreen, The two small vents to the side are blocked off so all the upwards airflow goes to the demisters.

 

[mwpe]

Mine only has the driver airbag and I wish it hadn't. It spoils the look of the steering wheel, the only thing I dislike on the whole car.