Front Seat Belt Receptacles differences?

[CMG]

I have some front seats that I need latches for so I was going to get new ones since they are less than $200 a pair. As far as I know the only color they are available in is black. I found part numbers that are supposed to be able to be used for both right and left sides, but I thought only the driver side had the wiring for the seatbelt light. The original part number is supposed to be 72 11 1 941 409, and that was superseded by 72111941407. Anybody know of any other part numbers or any differences between them?

[Matt-B]

its all year and model dependent

[reelizmpro]

There are early 84-85 style and 86 on. Early buckles will not work with the later style receptacles and vice versa.

[CMG]

It's gonna be for E30 M3, and I have the original ones, but I don't see any difference between those and others from sport seats. What exactly is the physical difference? Are you saying the receptacle has to fit the metal blade part of the buckle? Is it a length and/or width difference?

[DrJosh]

I ordered the new receptacles from BMW. The only difference between driver and passenger side is that the driver side has the wiring harness for the seat belt light. I believe the pass side one (sans seatbelt light) is NLA, so they just sell you two drivers sides.

I just secured the unused wiring harness to the underside of the seat and you'd notice the difference.

Mine is a late model though FYI.

[reelizmpro]

It's gonna be for E30 M3, and I have the original ones, but I don't see any difference between those and others from sport seats. What exactly is the physical difference? Are you saying the receptacle has to fit the metal blade part of the buckle? Is it a length and/or width difference?

No difference between models only early style 84-85 and 86-on which represents the majority of E30's. The length of the early model belt buckle is shorter.

[flyboyx]

No difference between models only early style 84-85 and 86-on which represents the majority of E30's. The length of the early model belt buckle is shorter.

Early cars do indeed have a slightly different housing and release button than late style. If I were home, I'd shoot and post a pic of both. For purposes of an m3, they are the same as a regular car.