Airbag System - New Style Airbag

GROUP 72
Safety Restraint Systems

Bulletin Number
72 04 98

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
October 1998
Product Engineering

SUBJECT:
New Airbags

MODEL:
E36 (318i/is/iC, 323is/iC, 328i/is/iC, M3/C), E36/5 (318ti), E36/7 (Z3/M)

General Information:
New airbags have been progressively introduced on all E36 vehicles. From 5/98 on, all E36 vehicles, both driver front airbag and passenger front airbags, are of this new type.

Vehicles with new type driver and passenger front airbags are identified by a "3" in the 8th position of the 17 character VIN:

e.g 4USCH73 3 3WLE09876

Vehicles with old type airbags have a "2" in the 8th position of the VIN.

Airbag replacements:

1. Vehicles with a "3" in the 8th position of the VIN:
Always replace the airbag with a new type airbag.

2. Vehicles with a "2" in the 8th position of the VIN:
The replacement airbag may be a new type airbag, or an old type airbag.

Note
On these vehicles only, it is allowed to have a new type airbag on one side of the vehicle, and an old type airbag on the other side.





Parts Information:

Warranty Information: For information only