Steering Wheels

[DarkWing6]

What years did they start putting the airbags in the cars? I am looking at an 89 325is and am wondering if I will get an M Tech 1 or an airbag.

[KenC]

1990

[BS87]

I looked at an 89 iX the other day with an airbag in it...

[Werksmini]

1990

That not totaly true. I have a 90 IS and there is no airbag.
Maybe it was inbetween somewhere.

[jweb]

My 89 325is has an mtech 1

[demlotcrew]

an mtech two is what you really want.

[Spencer]

In Canada, the 89 "is" came with the Mtec II wheel stock. Airbags were always an option so it could come with either wheel.
Spencer

[Schniddy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2480647326&category=33704

[DanGillan]

i have a 1990 325i and it came with the airbag wheel

[Werksmini]

So was it an option in 89-91? Maybe standard in 91?

[Erick]

So was it an option in 89-91? Maybe standard in 91?

No, it was not available in 89 at all. And it WAS standard in 90 and 91. I have a '90 and I swapped my airbag wheel for an MtechI.

If the airbag wheel in the '90 is missing, it most definetly was replaced, as in '90 the whole steering column was replaced as well as the check panel had the SRS indicating lights for the airbags.

Maybe in Europe this could differ, but I'm positive about the US spec cars.

[Werksmini]

Your positive about 90s? Almost every 90 ive seen has no bag.

[bimmerphile]

Your positive about 90s? Almost every 90 ive seen has no bag.

Yes, BMW Added airbags in 8/89

[Matto]

My 1990 325i has an airbag.

[randywalters]

Here's the real deal . . . . .

So was it an option in 89-91? Maybe standard in 91?

If the airbag wheel in the '90 is missing, it most definetly was replaced, as in '90 the whole steering column was replaced as well as the check panel had the SRS indicating lights for the airbags. Maybe in Europe this could differ, but I'm positive about the US spec cars.

Actually the very first month or so of the U.S. 1990 model year production run did not get the airbag wheel, but all 90's made after that did have the airbag. I've seen a number of early 90 model 325i, 325is, and M3s that never had an airbag. The story goes that the airbag manufacturer couldn't get the airbags to BMW in time for the 1st production runs so they just installed the steering components and instrumentation from the 89. Once their stock arrived they added them to the line.

This is usually why people see and own 90 models with no airbag or airbag lights, although it true that there are airbag cars out there where the owner retroffited no airbag wheels. But almost all the ones i've seen and checked were original cars that never had the airbag wheel.

No US spec 88 or 89 E30 had an airbag, only 90-93 models.