How can this be avoided? Interior Trim denting from seatbelt e92

AU335 · 01-08-2010, 12:00 PM

How can i avoid/prevent damage to the interior lateral trim pieces on the driver and passenger side doors when the seatbelt clip is let go and is in line to hit the trim?

I do not know if anyone else with a coupe has this problem but my aluminum trim got pretty dinged up over the years when releasing the seatbelt and then the clip would knock the trim. The only way to really avoid it is to slowly let the seatbelt go but when i have passengers in my car, its hard to make sure they do that too.

I just got the trim wrapped in cf and am really wanting to avoid any dents or scratches to happen from the seatbelt hitting.

Any suggestions *other than being careful letting the seatbelt go* would be great.

All i was thinking was to put a thin covering of felt or some soft material on the plastic clip on the seatbelt.

Jakubx80 · 01-08-2010, 01:01 PM

Yeah, that sucks with coupes (longer door) and seems to be common for Aluminum trims.

Ok, so my seatbelt has like a little plastic adjustable stopper that keeps the metal hinge at higher elevation when seatbelt is released. You can probably work out the height that will keep your hinge at different elevation that your trim. Worth trying?

Tee212 · 01-08-2010, 01:09 PM

I know what you mean, how about some type of cloth material and wear it around the belt buckle? it might look silly but work?

F104 · 01-08-2010, 01:58 PM

I've tried one layer of pattex powertape on the clip. Too difficult to get the clip in, and the force required takes the powertape off in few goes

RV8tor · 01-08-2010, 02:20 PM

Hold on to the seatbelt and 'walk' it up. 2 seconds, no grief.

e90fanatic · 01-08-2010, 02:21 PM

get a seat belt holder and/or slap the passenger if they ding your trim

SIEN · 01-08-2010, 02:32 PM

Do what I did and replace the trim (damn expensive)... but if you don't have OCD, hold the belt when you release it. Mine looked like I'd attacked it with a hammer!

e90fanatic · 01-08-2010, 02:47 PM

just fyi, i had my trims replaced under warranty when it had quite a few dings

big_peaches · 01-08-2010, 03:15 PM

i bought replacements on Ebay for when i sell mine.... its like a machine gun hit mine!

Nikolas · 01-08-2010, 07:51 PM

Your seatbelt has a small plastic clip that adjusts the location of the metal piece that latches. You can set this so that when you let the seat belt go, the metal part will be above the trim and not slam into the aluminum trim. I have an '07 and only have 2 small dings from before I figured this out.

01-08-2010, 12:00 PM	#1
AU335 Colonel 192 Rep 2,443 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southeast iTrader: (7) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	How can this be avoided? Interior Trim denting from seatbelt e92 How can i avoid/prevent damage to the interior lateral trim pieces on the driver and passenger side doors when the seatbelt clip is let go and is in line to hit the trim? I do not know if anyone else with a coupe has this problem but my aluminum trim got pretty dinged up over the years when releasing the seatbelt and then the clip would knock the trim. The only way to really avoid it is to slowly let the seatbelt go but when i have passengers in my car, its hard to make sure they do that too. I just got the trim wrapped in cf and am really wanting to avoid any dents or scratches to happen from the seatbelt hitting. Any suggestions other than being careful letting the seatbelt go would be great. All i was thinking was to put a thin covering of felt or some soft material on the plastic clip on the seatbelt.
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01-08-2010, 01:01 PM	#2
Jakubx80 New Member 3 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2010 328i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Yeah, that sucks with coupes (longer door) and seems to be common for Aluminum trims. Ok, so my seatbelt has like a little plastic adjustable stopper that keeps the metal hinge at higher elevation when seatbelt is released. You can probably work out the height that will keep your hinge at different elevation that your trim. Worth trying? __________________ 2010 328i Sedan 6MT Space Gray/Black Dakota/Aluminum Sports/Xenon/Value/Moonroof/Anti theft Delivered 12/16/09
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01-08-2010, 01:09 PM	#3
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	I know what you mean, how about some type of cloth material and wear it around the belt buckle? it might look silly but work?
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01-08-2010, 01:58 PM	#4
F104 Captain 19 Rep 732 Posts Drives: E92 320D M-sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: belgium iTrader: (0)	I've tried one layer of pattex powertape on the clip. Too difficult to get the clip in, and the force required takes the powertape off in few goes
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01-08-2010, 02:20 PM	#5
RV8tor New Member 0 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0i Titanium/Black Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Beautiful NJ Shore iTrader: (0)	Hold on to the seatbelt and 'walk' it up. 2 seconds, no grief. __________________ Greg 2006 Z4 3.0i TiAg/Black 2007 328xi Black/Beige 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi Quad-Cab 4X4 - My DD
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01-08-2010, 02:21 PM	#6
e90fanatic Absolute0 168 Rep 5,078 Posts Drives: Has a Roundel Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: TO/HK/NJ iTrader: (6)	get a seat belt holder and/or slap the passenger if they ding your trim __________________ To procede or not to procede......
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01-08-2010, 02:32 PM	#7
SIEN 23 Rep 130 Posts Drives: Quickly Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: US/UK iTrader: (0)	Do what I did and replace the trim (damn expensive)... but if you don't have OCD, hold the belt when you release it. Mine looked like I'd attacked it with a hammer!
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01-08-2010, 02:47 PM	#8
e90fanatic Absolute0 168 Rep 5,078 Posts Drives: Has a Roundel Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: TO/HK/NJ iTrader: (6)	just fyi, i had my trims replaced under warranty when it had quite a few dings __________________ To procede or not to procede......
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01-08-2010, 03:15 PM	#9
big_peaches Enlisted Member 3 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2008 320D Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: County Durham, UK iTrader: (0)	i bought replacements on Ebay for when i sell mine.... its like a machine gun hit mine! __________________ 2008LeMans Blue320dM-Sport*
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01-08-2010, 07:51 PM	#10
Nikolas Colonel 313 Rep 2,576 Posts Drives: 996 TT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sierra Mountains iTrader: (0)	Your seatbelt has a small plastic clip that adjusts the location of the metal piece that latches. You can set this so that when you let the seat belt go, the metal part will be above the trim and not slam into the aluminum trim. I have an '07 and only have 2 small dings from before I figured this out.
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