[Ninefourteener]

"Usually".... in every car I've ever owned, you can detach the rear center seatbelt, particularly when it's not being used, which mine never is, and never has been, and likely never will be.

But not the X5.... it's permanently in place.

Now that the weather is nicer.... I like to drive with the windows open.

If I open the rear windows.... at a measly 35mph..... that center seatbelt starts VIOLENTLY and LOUDLY slapping the rear seat..... continuously.

flap flap pap pap flappity flap flap flip flip flap flap pap pap flappity flap flap flip flip flap flap pap pap flappity flap flap flip flip flap flap pap pap flappity flap flap flip flip

So far, the only solution is to (sloppily) stuff the seatbelt into the center armrest while it folded up.

Anyone else? There has to be a simple solution to this.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Ninefourteener

"Usually".... in every car I've ever owned, you can detach the rear center seatbelt, particularly when it's not being used, which mine never is, and never has been, and likely never will be.

But not the X5.... it's permanently in place.

Now that the weather is nicer.... I like to drive with the windows open.

If I open the rear windows.... at a measly 35mph..... that center seatbelt starts VIOLENTLY and LOUDLY slapping the rear seat..... continuously.

flap flap pap pap flappity flap flap flip flip flap flap pap pap flappity flap flap flip flip flap flap pap pap flappity flap flap flip flip flap flap pap pap flappity flap flap flip flip

So far, the only solution is to (sloppily) stuff the seatbelt into the center armrest while it folded up.

Anyone else? There has to be a simple solution to this.

Got a real laugh out of your post! The only thing I've seen is where you buckle it into the furthest away receptacle so it puts tension on it and hope for the best.

[Caramel]

You are required by Belgian law to permanently have that seat belt equipped. If you don't give a shit about laws then simply cut it out.

[Ninefourteener]

Originally Posted by Caramel

You are required by Belgian law to permanently have that seat belt equipped. If you don't give a shit about laws then simply cut it out.

I don't care about Belgian laws..... I'm already breaking about 3 or 4 of them... lol.

But, I certainly don't want to permanently destroy anything. Figured maybe someone had a solution.

[Flippy_00]

I noticed the same 'behaviour' last week.

Never had it in any other car...

[VTENGR]

Wonder if you can fabricate some sort of C clamp that will fit around the seat and you can tuck the seat belt into that - almost like the plastic tabs on the outside seats to keep the belt secured. I'm envisioning something that will fit snug around the seat since the belt is right where the 60/40 split joint is.

[Chonkapotamus]

Bumping this old thread up, to see if anyone has a good solution for this problem. I took delivery of my 2023 x5 back in January, and we now have good windows down weather for the first time. But I can't enjoy it, because the center seatbelt flapping is awful. I've tried latching the belt closed, which helps a little but not enough. Any other fixes?

[jad03060]

FWIW, because driving with the windows open increase drag, above about 25-mph, it's more efficient to close them and use the a/c...for the 'fresh air' fanatics, that won't help, but personally, I generally prefer them closed. As long as you don't have the system in recirculate, you're getting a good dose of fresh air, regardless.

[Chonkapotamus]

Originally Posted by jad03060

FWIW, because driving with the windows open increase drag, above about 25-mph, it's more efficient to close them and use the a/c...for the 'fresh air' fanatics, that won't help, but personally, I generally prefer them closed. As long as you don't have the system in recirculate, you're getting a good dose of fresh air, regardless.

Accurate, but: I used to drive convertibles, and would keep the top down unless it was raining or below freezing. My physical therapist made me switch to an SUV because of low back problems -- said I needed a taller less reclined seat and she was right. So I'm the type to have my windows down and roof open at highway speeds, with the wind itself being a feature, not a bug.

That's why the flapping is so annoying, and I'd love a fix.