Seatbelts in the E3

[e9Leveque]

I’ve been a participant in an active discussion on the E9 forum about the various ways seatbelts get attached, since there doesn’t seem to be a standard as many of us move towards retractable 3-point belt systems. I’ve been working with an employee at SeatBeltPlanet and they are willing to develop a system that works for these and other BMWs of this era (E3, E9, E10). Since I don’t know anything about the E3 versions, I’m hoping that those of you with E3s or E10s can post some pictures of the various methods you’ve used to install retractable belts for those cars that didn’t come with them. Also photos of the standard attachment points would be great.
Thanks in advance

 

[HB Chris]

The earlier e3 had fixed belts mounted at bottom of B pillar. A retractor there interferes with the seat so on my 2800 I had to mount the retractor farther aft on inner rocker and installed the bracket inside the rocker. Any seat belt supplier sells these mounts. Later cars had the retractor inside the bottom of the B pillar but it would have been too much work to modify an early car to this method.

 

[Ezz]

Hi @HB Chris , would you pls share pics of your setup? I have an early E3 too.

 

[dbower]

I replaced the stock spaghetti belts in my Euro '72 3.0S with 3-point retractables in front. The base of my B pillar has a hole to mount the retractor behind the trim, and the top of the B pillar has a nut for the upper mount. My blue books describe the process. Al Erkanli (@bluedevils) made up the belts for me.

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

I’ve been working with an employee at SeatBeltPlanet and they are willing to develop a system that works for these and other BMWs of this era (E3, E9, E10)

I don't know the 1600/2002 cars well, but I think it is going to be tough to develop a single 3 point belt system that will work on both E9s and E3s. The difference being that E3s have a B pillar and the E9s don't. I believe all E3s from the beginning had 3 point belts for the front seat occupants so the hard points are there in all E3s for a variety of options. You have to get somewhat creative to put retractable belts in some E9s that will actually work in a collision, that won't require some repainting, that don't eliminate the ability to use the rear seats, and that are easy to put on and off.

 

[e9Leveque]

I don't know the 1600/2002 cars well, but I think it is going to be tough to develop a single 3 point belt system that will work on both E9s and E3s. The difference being that E3s have a B pillar and the E9s don't. I believe all E3s from the beginning had 3 point belts for the front seat occupants so the hard points are there in all E3s for a variety of options. You have to get somewhat creative to put retractable belts in some E9s that will actually work in a collision, that won't require some repainting, that don't eliminate the ability to use the rear seats, and that are easy to put on and off.

makes sense. The guy I’ve been working with is also working with someone on E10 belts, so is trying to understand what overlap there might be. With regards to the E9, I had followed the lead of another forum member and had bent a seatbelt extension to allow it to attach onto the early E9 rear attachment point. The SBP guys are actually willing to explore them bending the extension and offering it as part of the “E9 option”. So their request was to understand what similar (or different) things might be needed for other BMWs of this era.

 

[HB Chris]

Here you go…

I replaced the stock spaghetti belts in my Euro '72 3.0S with 3-point retractables in front. The base of my B pillar has a hole to mount the retractor behind the trim, and the top of the B pillar has a nut for the upper mount. My blue books describe the process. Al Erkanli (@bluedevils) made up the belts for me.

View attachment 212910View attachment 212911View attachment 212912

On my 1970 I would have had to enlarge the opening and figure out how to mount it. I bought a B pillar cover from Mike but didn’t use it, I assume you did the same?

 

[dbower]

Here you go…

On my 1970 I would have had to enlarge the opening and figure out how to mount it. I bought a B pillar cover from Mike but didn’t use it, I assume you did the same?

Chris:

It appears that BMW changed the B pillar sometime between your car and mine. The hole at the base of mine was fine with no cutting, the captured nut was there and at the top, and the cover piece already had the opening for the belt.