3rd Row Seat Belts- how to stow?
 

Any ideas how to release the 3rd row seatbelts so the stow in the rear C Pillar as shown in the photo on this thread (see post 32 and 33):
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/26915-new-x5-4.html

I cant release the seatbelts from the 3rd row seats so the will retract into the pillar space when the 3rd row is stowed. Anyone know how to release the belt?

good question. I truthfully don't know.

there must be some kind of hook where you can't see...that's the only explanation if you can take out the seatbelts.

This is the only reference in the Manual:

"Release the latch plate on the safety belt from the mount, refer to arrow 1, and insert it into the buckle of the safety belt, refer to arrow 2. The latch plate must audibly engage."

Nothing on how to disengage the belt from the seat.

X5FX,

great question and I am amazed that it is not a straighforward operation. It really should be easy to avoid having the seat belts in the way when the seats are stowed away.
I remember a truly awful airport transfer in a van that required removing the bottom attach point and it would release only with a pen in a little hole...Hopefully BMW engineers figured something better.
The other thing could be it depends on markets and in teh US it cannot be released but wouldn't make much sense

C

Pics from Geneva
 

X5FX,
Not sure if you ever managed to find a way to stow the belts but have a look at that picture from another thread from the Geneva motorshow, the 3rd row seat belts are stowed. I am amazed there is no clear explanantion in the manual for this!
C

I gave up...I can't figure out how to release the belts.

It could well be that the US models can't do this due to regulations. We will have to wait few more weeks to find out if the EU models allow that.
Certainly would be very practical not to have the belts in the way when the seats are not in use.

C

Revisiting this old thread, finally saw the E70 in the flesh here last night at the dealer launch. Both anchor points on the 3rd row seats have a release button so both lower attachments of the seat belts can be released and stowed away as pictured above.
I wonder if it is a difference in the EU models but it works great. Will take pictures when my car is delivered.

C

where exactly is the release?