[Schweitzer]

My introduction to the Safety Belt Assistant was while sitting in the backseat of a 328i in the showroom. I didn't know what that little chrome square plate was, and so I asked the salesman, who didn't know either. We could tell it wasn't there just for looks; so the salesman starts fiddling with it, and next thing you know, he yanks the retractable arm right out of its socket!

Neither of us still knew what the heck it was, since our main goal at that point was to reinsert the device and hope nobody saw. It did fit back in, but who knows if it was still functional. There were no keys in the car anyway.

A bit later I test drove the 335i and learned how the seatbelt works.

I don't really care for this feature. It looks flimsy when in operation, and you have to preemptively tell curious people what it is so they don't try to pull it out manually. Does the belt really sit back so far that BMW had to do something about it? Maybe. But since it's weight activated, I envision that arm extending out the seatbelt while toting a bag of groceries in the passenger seat.

Hopefully it'll work just fine. I like gadgetry, but I'm a little circumspect on this one.

[human]

Schweitzer,
Why did you not order Navigation/I-Drive?
Isn't it a no-brainer? It's only $2,000 more.

[.psd]

I have an e92, and i'm betting that it's the first thing to break on my car.
A friend already jammed in the passenger one while he was in the back seat (trying to figure out what it was) and when the front seat passenger shut the door, the arm extracted and didn't grab the belt properly. The motor in the arm started to sound all weird and was clicking in what sounded like it was damaged. I quickly grabed the belt and it went back into its normal position. It's been fine ever since. But I do think that this feature will end up being re-designed.

[Schweitzer]

Why did you not order Navigation/I-Drive?

I just haven't had an opportunity to become a fan. Since I haven't ever had it, I don't miss it. And last year when so many E90s with I-Drive had various software issues, I didn't regret not having it then. I also like the dashboard flat.

I did consider it, but when I test drove the 335i, I wanted one ASAP, and it had to be white, sport, premium, auto, black leather. Everything else was expendable, yea or nay. The one I got was already en route. If it had I-Drive, I would have gotten it.

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by .psd

I have an e92, and i'm betting that it's the first thing to break on my car.
But I do think that this feature will end up being re-designed.

After two short test drives of the E92, I have to agree that this belt butler is the one piece of interior equipment that seems tacky and delicate.
I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my new coupe in about two weeks time, but I am apprehensive about this strange robotic device. Why ?? Well, when my English cocker spaniel gets into the passenger seat of my new 335i, who knows what will happen - the belt butler might be attacked !!

[noro]

One of the very first mods on the car I plan to do is to deactive that f_...cking thing. Yeah it's cute I guess.

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by noro

One of the very first mods on the car I plan to do is to deactive that f_...cking thing. Yeah it's cute I guess.

What a bloody good idea !!

[RJD]

Ive had my car a week now, and it has actually grown on me. People just kinda stare in amazement at first at it, then it goes away when they click in. No problems so far so I cant complain.

[Zeroday]

Originally Posted by human

Schweitzer,
Why did you not order Navigation/I-Drive?
Isn't it a no-brainer? It's only $2,000 more.

only reason i didnt get was that it ruins the look of the dash.

[lux.sh]

There was a guy who test drove the 335/328 coupes..
he said something about 2 out of 3 E92 coupes with broken seat belt assistant.

I personally think its the dumbest feature.
Unless it is meant for the ladies/seniors who relatively sits pretty close to the dashboard.

[brianlbailey]

I wonder how much weight and cost that 'feature' added to the car. Just guessing, but the majority of the people buying the coupe would probably not mind grabbing the belt themselves.

[TheCount]

Originally Posted by brianlbailey

I wonder how much weight and cost that 'feature' added to the car. Just guessing, but the majority of the people buying the coupe would probably not mind grabbing the belt themselves.

At the very least, there should be a button to deactivate it. At the very least.

[ase2dais]

Seat Belt Assistance?
too gay

[Ripinto]

I test drove a 335i at the dealership a couple of days ago and the seatbelt arm on the passenger side was busted. When I questioned the salesperson he said that "problably some kid may have broken it while their parents were test driving the car". I tell you one thing, the odometer in this car read 6 miles. So i am guessing that once you get your new coupe the best idea is either to deactivate this function or simply treat it with much love because it seem quite fragile indeed.

[Zeroday]

if its electric, it can be disabled. one of the first things i will probably do.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

My introduction to the Safety Belt Assistant was while sitting in the backseat of a 328i in the showroom. I didn't know what that little chrome square plate was, and so I asked the salesman, who didn't know either. We could tell it wasn't there just for looks;

If that salesman worked for me, I would have fired him on the spot. How can you sell a product and not know all it's features? Also, it looks like you've been on this forum for a while and if you were interested enough to get into the back seat of a E92, it seems you should have known what that 'little chrome square plate' was. Sorry if I'm sounding edgy, but when I go into a dealership, I usually know as much about the car I'm interested in purchasing than the salesman and sometimes even more.

[MrSilver]

I can't stand it.

I'm waiting for it to be broken.

[magmd]

hahhah...yeah, I was looking at the new 328 coupe at the dealer and actually forgot about it while I was sitting in the front seat. SO...I decide, hey let me check out the space in the back.

Look over the right passenger side and see the assist....look over to the driver side........ahhahaah...nothing. Its missing! I started laughing and told the sales guy that it did not surprise me, because they look so flimsy....he did not know what I was talking about. He actually did not even know why there was an "extra" piece on the passenger side.

[glamprecht]

The device probably uses the existing seat occupant detector. I think the threshold is around 20kg/44pounds.

[KL2DC]

At the FL e92 event, I had some Q's on the seatbelt 'butler'. Driver/instructor mentioned the initial few seconds delay helps to prevent the robotic arm from hitting a driver in his fist as he instinctively reaches back for the seat belt. I thought it was rather amusing. But seriously, I too, question the durability of this feature not of the design but perhaps the mechanism could be made more stout (cracked fists withstanding)

[LEDZEP]

I agree that it seems very flimsy and very gimicky. Why not do it right and put the seatbelt system into the front seats? I'll tell you why: cost. They did it on the cheap and it shows. They will replace thousands of those under warranty.

[Schweitzer]

Also, it looks like you've been on this forum for a while and if you were interested enough to get into the back seat of a E92, it seems you should have known what that 'little chrome square plate' was.

I was getting my E90 its first service and stumbled upon the E92. Up to that point I had been blissfully focused mainly on the E90 threads, as this was my first BMW. I wasn't in the market for a new car and had no idea of E92's features, except that there was a ton of hype about them arriving and that it was a twin turbo. Once I test drove the E92 and became enthralled, I immediately came home and read up on the E92 -- and told my seatbelt assistant story. But I agree, the salesperson should have known about it.