[arciga18]

So I ended up puling the trigger on SOR's wheel and will be swapping Saturday morning.

I have my air bag and my wifes X3 reserved.

Stay Tuned

[arciga18]

Gents and Ladies,

I finished the swap this morning. Great feeling of accomplishment and the drive feels so much better.


Shout out to sor for his help and leading the way.


_ Things I want to point out. I ordered a new airbag from my parts Guy in PA where I also picked up the X3. I ordered part number 32 30 7 855 725 as seen in the picture. For whatever reason, the airbag I received is a 3-stage airbag. No coding required. I got really lucky.

It took me maybe just over 1.5 hours if you count doing the battery/ jockeying the cars around in the garage, etc. However, I'm pretty sure that I could do another one in 15 minutes flat.

I had a real hard time getting the left side of the stock air bag to release. I blame the screwdriver I was using. If I could explain my biggest problem is that when i perforated the wheel, I wouldn't keep the screwdriver flat/ parallel and couldn't find the metal shroud.

The heated wheel works. The paddles work. The volume works and the command button works. I don't have any of the other driving assist features but I don't mind the extra buttons. I'll try the cruise control tomorrow on the way to soccer.

[sor]

Wohoo, congratulations!

[heavensyu]

Originally Posted by arciga18

Gents and Ladies,

I finished the swap this morning. Great feeling of accomplishment and the drive feels so much better.


Shout out to sor for his help and leading the way.


_ Things I want to point out. I ordered a new airbag from my parts Guy in PA where I also picked up the X3. I ordered part number 32 30 7 855 725 as seen in the picture. For whatever reason, the airbag I received is a 3-stage airbag. No coding required. I got really lucky.

It took me maybe just over 1.5 hours if you count doing the battery/ jockeying the cars around in the garage, etc. However, I'm pretty sure that I could do another one in 15 minutes flat.

I had a real hard time getting the left side of the stock air bag to release. I blame the screwdriver I was using. If I could explain my biggest problem is that when i perforated the wheel, I wouldn't keep the screwdriver flat/ parallel and couldn't find the metal shroud.

The heated wheel works. The paddles work. The volume works and the command button works. I don't have any of the other driving assist features but I don't mind the extra buttons. I'll try the cruise control tomorrow on the way to soccer.

Where did you get the airbag, do they have a website?

[arciga18]

Originally Posted by heavensyu

Where did you get the airbag, do they have a website?

I ordered the airbag from my parts guy in PA. They don’t ship hazards though. I brought the airbag back with Me in the trunk when we took delivery of the X3 at the same dealership.

I live in Chicago.

Try the part numbers from the first post and search the web. The more famous websites can ship it (get Bmw parts or ecs tuning) or your local parts department.

[BMWDude2018]

I wonder if all new airbags with part number 32 30 7 855 725 are 3-stage to comply with some US regs. Any idea?

[sor]

Originally Posted by BMWDude2018

I wonder if all new airbags with part number 32 30 7 855 725 are 3-stage to comply with some US regs. Any idea?

Possibly, not sure. I think it is likely that since the new part is a direct replacement for the old one they’re just substituting the new part with the old number rather than manufacturing a two stage and a three stage model. That might be easier for them than rewriting all existing documentation for old models to point to the new part number.

So the new model may be labeled as a 725 “rev B” or something for cars that require that model number.

[sor]

Just to add some perspective, when I was researching this I found there were plenty of BMWs shipping with three stage bags going back several years. It seems weird to me that the new 5 series would be introduced with a two stage while others have had three stage if the push for three stage was a matter of regulation. Perhaps there was some sort of deadline on the regulation though and they had time to ignore it for the 5 initially.

If there are any other reports of bag 725 coming as three stage I’ll update the instructions.

[Larryatl]

what a waste of $$$

[KAP8]

Originally Posted by Larryatl

what a waste of $$$

So is a Springsteen on Broadway ticket, but I only live once!

[sor]

Originally Posted by Larryatl

what a waste of $$$

Agreed! This, and aftermarket exhausts, and new wheels, and better floor mats, and blackout kidney grills, and vinyl wraps ... and luxury cars.

[BMWDude2018]

I usually pass on the vinyl wraps and undercoating, but I go for the tinted windows and usually get the wheel insurance.

[sor]

Ah yes, tint.

I was trying to name mostly things where I’ve heard “the car should have come like (or with) this”.

Can’t really argue with someone that there’s value in car customization where the value is a personal thing. Just pointing out that it’s a very common thing, don’t really see people telling others they’re wasting their money on exhaust or wheel threads. *maybe* on some of the more wild body kits.

[Larryatl]

Originally Posted by sor

Ah yes, tint.

I was trying to name mostly things where I’ve heard “the car should have come like (or with) this”.

Can’t really argue with someone that there’s value in car customization where the value is a personal thing. Just pointing out that it’s a very common thing, don’t really see people telling others they’re wasting their money on exhaust or wheel threads. *maybe* on some of the more wild body kits.

2-3 grand on a wheel is ridiculous.

[sor]

Originally Posted by Larryatl

2-3 grand on a wheel is ridiculous.

Yeah, I probably wouldn’t pay that either if it ended up being $2k for a swap. Glad I found the parts I did.

I also wouldn’t drop $5k on an aftermarket exhaust, but I don’t tell people that when they post theirs.

[arciga18]

Originally Posted by sor

Yeah, I probably wouldn’t pay that either if it ended up being $2k for a swap. Glad I found the parts I did.

I also wouldn’t drop $5k on an aftermarket exhaust, but I don’t tell people that when they post theirs.

Same here!

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by Larryatl

2-3 grand on a wheel is ridiculous.

How about this wheel?

Good thing I don't have to listen to you on what I can and can't buy with my money. To each their own.

[bwcooper]

Originally Posted by kozzi

How about this wheel?

Where is the jet fighter mode switch?

[JSY]

People have said that putting down $65k+ for an X3 is ridiculous but here we are.

[BMWDude2018]

I know that this thread has cooled down a bit, but I just wanted to throw another piece of information out there.

I ended up buying a part 32307855725 from getBMWparts.com. Jason Reighard was helpful over email. He believes that a 3-stage airbag is not available at this time.

However, while shopping around, I followed one of the links that Sor provided in his write up (in the Google spreadsheet)

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/32307855725/

If you look at the second image in the product listing, you'll see what I think I'm seeing - a three-stage airbag.

So, I bought the airbag from getBMWparts and it should be here in a week or so. I hope that it is a 3-stage version. I'll update this post or reply with the results.

[sor]

Originally Posted by BMWDude2018

I know that this thread has cooled down a bit, but I just wanted to throw another piece of information out there.

I ended up buying a part 32307855725 from getBMWparts.com. Jason Reighard was helpful over email. He believes that a 3-stage airbag is not available at this time.

However, while shopping around, I followed one of the links that Sor provided in his write up (in the Google spreadsheet)

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/32307855725/

If you look at the second image in the product listing, you'll see what I think I'm seeing - a three-stage airbag.

So, I bought the airbag from getBMWparts and it should be here in a week or so. I hope that it is a 3-stage version. I'll update this post or reply with the results.

Arciga18 bought a 725 airbag as well and it was three stage. No coding.

The guess is that while there is a new part number for the three stage, the 725s have also been revised with the same updated part. For example it would keep 2017 5 series from needing updated docs to reflect the changed part numbers. If the revised part is compatible, just label it with the old number instead of changing all of the references.

[BMWDude2018]

Originally Posted by sor

Arciga18 bought a 725 airbag as well and it was three stage. No coding.

The guess is that while there is a new part number for the three stage, the 725s have also been revised with the same updated part. For example it would keep 2017 5 series from needing updated docs to reflect the changed part numbers. If the revised part is compatible, just label it with the old number instead of changing all of the references.

Right - I surmised that above.

Where did you get your airbag Sor?