Author Topic: Airbag wheel to Mtech 1... Insurance woes... (Read 3725 times)

bimmahVA · « **on:** April 22, 2006, 01:57:56 PM »

So I have an Mtech 1 wheel and Im ready to replace the ol airbag wheel. Im just curious as to whether my insurance company would freak out if I were ever to get into an accident and I had the nonairbag wheel instead.

Have any of you ran into this problem?? Should I notify them or just go with it??

asubimmer · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2006, 01:59:37 PM »

well I changed mine out for a momo wheel and I'm not worried about anything. Do you feel safer in your car than a friends earlier e30 that doesn't have an airbag? Personally I feel safer in a non-airbag e30.

jfdublyu · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2006, 02:09:54 PM »

i was thinking about doing the same thing, but still debating whether or not i want airbag. is there any way i could use a quick change system between the stock airbag and m-tech so like if am going on a long trip i can swap in the airbag whel and just plug the harness in?

bimmahVA · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2006, 02:14:53 PM »

I agree, Id rather not have the chance of that airbag even deploying because of the old design. I just wouldnt want the insurance co. to say, that car came with srs, its not there now (or at time of possible accident), and not cover me for shit.

Tho, Its likely ill put the mtech 1 in regardless.

ak96ss · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2006, 02:18:38 PM »

Quote from: jfdublyu

i was thinking about doing the same thing, but still debating whether or not i want airbag. is there any way i could use a quick change system between the stock airbag and m-tech so like if am going on a long trip i can swap in the airbag whel and just plug the harness in?

Well, since it only takes about 5 minutes to go from a non-airbag wheel to an airbag wheel, you could always just swap the airbag wheel back in when you want to.

I mean, really, it's just one nut and a connector for the airbag (presuming you leave the rest of the system intact).

asubimmer · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2006, 02:36:04 PM »

Quote from: ak96ss

Well, since it only takes about 5 minutes to go from a non-airbag wheel to an airbag wheel, you could always just swap the airbag wheel back in when you want to.

I mean, really, it's just one nut and a connector for the airbag (presuming you leave the rest of the system intact).

yeah I have removed most of the SRS system from my car.

sheepdog · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2006, 12:04:28 AM »

Call your insurance company and see what they say.

Zoso · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2006, 11:25:35 AM »

My feeling is that the insurance company will screw you either way.

If you replace the wheel with a non-airbag one, then you altered the safety feature of the car.

If you've done nothing and left he old airbag on the car, you're screwed because they think you should of had BMW maintain it and replace (for several hundreds of dollars) it by now.

My plan is to put my M-Tech 2 wheel on and not get in an accident

e9nine · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2006, 02:24:23 PM »

I have a car with a salvage title that was rebuilt without a non-airbag wheel. It passed MD and GA title branding exams for a car that came with an airbag and wasn't rebuilt with one.

However, in your case, I would say to contact your insurance co. to be sure. I personally wouldn't trust an airbag on an e30. I always buckle up and would rather take seatbelt bruises than an airbag explosion

twinpop171 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2006, 10:20:11 PM »

Quote from: bimmahVA

So I have an Mtech 1 wheel and Im ready to replace the ol airbag wheel. Im just curious as to whether my insurance company would freak out if I were ever to get into an accident and I had the nonairbag wheel instead.

Have any of you ran into this problem?? Should I notify them or just go with it??

I was at my insurance agent's office today and asked about this. Because the VIN code will show the ins. co. that the car was/is equipped with SRS you would need to notify your agent. They in turn would let their underwriters know that you removed the airbag from the car and document your policy. You would then lose the SRS discount on your premium, so no big deal really.
It is defintely worth the call to cover your butt.

The lady that I talked to agreed with our general concensus of 15 year old airbags not functioning properly in the event of an accident.

I guess our parents were right when they said "it's always better to tell the truth".

Now I feel better about installing my $20 boneyard Momo wheel. Anybody have an e30 Momo hub for sale?
Dan.