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Body-General
SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES
A number of new or improved safety and security features are
incorporated in
E39 cars.
Safety cage
4 The body safety cage is a continuation of an established
BMW concept for passenger protection. Tubular impact
structures built into the body provide protection against pas-
senger injury during front or rear impacts.
Door locks and door handles
4 The door handles allow easy door opening, but are secure in
accidents.
Electrical components in the locks are fully encapsulated and
cannot be picked easily. The door handles, latches and
loclc
assemblies offer reliability and security against theft.
Door position and
loclc condition are detected by hall sensors.
Roof padding
In addition to the side and head protection airbags, there is
supplementary padding at the roof pillars and along the roof
above the doors. This is positioned to present energy absorb-
ing
surlaces to passengers thrown around by side impact
forces.
Seat belts
Each front seat belt assembly has a height-adjustable anchor
at the 8-pillar.
An automatic pyrotechnic (explosive charge) tensioner tight-
ens the front belt at the buckle upon impact, snugging up lap
and shoulder segments of the belt. The tensioners are de-
signed to automatically tension the belts by about
2 inches
(55 mm) in the event ofa collision.
A force limiter puts an upper limit on the amount of iorce each
belt can exert on the passenger.
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400-8
Body-General
Airbags
Front airbags, s~de a~rbags, pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners
and the Battery Safety Terminal (BST) are integrated into the
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and its variants.
NOTE-
The BMW SRS system is called Multiple Restra~nt System
(MRS). Over the years,
E39 cars were equipped with MRS,
MRS
11, MRS 111. Each version offers varied features and im-
provements over the previous system.
< As many as 8 airbags may be installed in E39 cars, depend-
ing on model and MRS version.
The front
airbags operate without sodium azide propellant,
widely considered an irritant when an
airbag is deployed.
Starting with
1999 models. "smart"front passenger and driver
airbags were installed. These are of the dual-threshold, dual
stage design, including a
sensorto help prevent the unneces-
sary deployment of the passenger side
airbag if the seat is un-
occupied.
MRS control Depend~ng on options chosen, one airbag may be installed in module each door of the sedan and Sport Wagon models, protecting
passengers against
s~de impacts.
Head Protection System (ITS)
airbags strelch diagonally
across the tops of the front doors.
Airbag deployment automatically triggers fuel shutoff, turns
on the hazard and interior lights, and unlocks the doors.
- -
WARNING -
Airbags are inflated by an explosive device. Handled im-
properly or without adequate safeguards,
airbag units can
be very dangerous. Special precautions must be observed
prior to any worlc at or near any of the airbags. See
721 Air-
bag System (SRS).
Always disconnect the battery and cover the negative
(-) battery terminal with an insulator before starting di-
agnostic, troubleshooting or service work on cars fitted
with SRS, and before doing any welding on the
car.
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400-9
Body-General
Battery safety terminal
(BST)
4 Starting with 1999 models (9198 production and later), a py-
rotechnic (explosive charge) device automatically discon-
nects the battery positive terminal during impacts. Key
features,
like power windows and door locks, remain opera-
tional.
Security
Electronic immobilization (EWS)
Ignition key transponder signal All
E39 vehicles incorporate an electronic immobilization sys-
tem known as EWS. This svstem uses a wireless comrnuni-
cation link between a transponder chip in the ignition key and
the ring antenna surrounding the ignition switch. The EWS
control module blocks the starting of the vehicle unless the
correct coded ignition key is used.
NOTE-
Electronic immobilization is sometimes referred to as the
driveaway protection system.
Antitheft alarm (DWA)
This is adealer-installed option for which the E39 vehicles are
factory-wired. When armed, the system monitors door
loci(
contacts and trunk and engine hood locks and sounds a siren
if it detects tampering.
E39 interiors have a unique character, with a combination
of
sporty features and innovativedesign. All body versions were
made in a wide choice of interior and exterior colors. New col-
ors with matching leather or leatherette upholstery were intro-
duced for each model year.
Driving
comfort is enhanced by power steering, tilt steering
wheel, height-adjustable front seats, and electrically adjust-
able and heated rear-view mirrors. Inside the car there are
reading lights at four seating positions.
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400-1 0
Body-General
Seats
4 Anatomically correct seats are constructed from polyure-
10 way seat adjustment thane foam
containing areas or "zones" of different firmness.
They offer good lateral support without constricting the occu-
pant.
The seats have a passive internal ventilation system: Cylin-
drical cavities within the cushions and backrests generate a
pumping effect as the ride motions cause occupant motion.
This
helps remove moisture and feeds fresh air into the seats.
Other features of the seating system:
The seat bases have steel springs for added support and
strength.
The seat control switches are along the outside edge of
the
seat.
Heated seats are an option in all models
In cars equipped with seat position memory, three different
seat confiaurations can be memorized by the seat control
module(s): Seat memory coordinates with outside mirror
memory. These functions are controlled by the seat mem-
ory
module(s).
* For security reasons, the release lever to fold the rear seat
backrest forward is installed in the trunk.
Sport Wagon models: Rear seat
baclts are split 60140, with
the center armrest on the left seat back.
The center armrest incorporates a non adjustable head-
rest. When folded down, the armrest opens out with
cup-
holders and a storage compartment. See 520 Seats for
more details.
instruments and controls
Everything in the interior passengercompartment essential to
the driver is logically grouped and easy to reach. All instru-
ments and controls have been arranged ergonomically and
are fully integrated into the overall design of the vehicle.
Tilt-telescopic steering wheel has
30 mm (1.2 in) of vertical
and longitudinal adjustment.
Multifunction steering wheel contains two
ltey pads con-
taining controls for the sound system, telephone and
cruise control.
Padded dashboard houses the instrument cluster and the
ventilation and heating system.
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Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster uses large easy-to-read analog instru-
ments and is removable as a unit without removing the dash-
board. On-board computer and Check Control functions are
integrated into the instrument cluster displays.
Service Interval Display
Service Interval Display calculates vehicle service needs
based on current driving patterns, and indicates to the driver
when the car requires
service
On-board navigation
An integrated on-board navigation system, based on Global
Positioning System (GPS) technology, is optionally available
on
E39 cars. When installed, a multifunction monitor is includ-
ed in the center of the dash above the radio. in addition to dis-
playing navigation system information, this monitor accesses
On-Board Computerfunctions, audiosystem controls, mobile
phone dialling and memory, and automatic ventilation.
Park Distance Control (PDC)
Park Distance Control (PDC) is an optional system which
uses ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper trim to warn the
driver of approaching too close to obstacles when parlting.
Central body electronics
E39 vehicles are equipped with an integrated complex of
electronic modules connected mostly via K-Bus. This system,
called central body electronics (ZKE
Ill), is primarily con-
trolled by the general module (GM
Ill). An overview of ZKE Ill
functions is found in 600 Electrical System-General. Details
of ZKE
Ill functioning is in the following repair groups:
- 512 Door Windows
* 515 Central Locking and Aniti-Theft
520 Seats
a 540 Sunroof
611 Wipers and Washers
620 Instruments
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400-12
I Body-General
HEATING AND AIR ~ONDITIONING
(I H KA)
4 The integrated heating and air conditioning (IHKA) system
uses an extra large, infinitely variable radial blower motor for
good distribution of air. Fresh air enters through the grille
be.
low the engine hood and into the passenger compartment via
the dashboard and
footwell vents.
- Repair information for the heating and air conditioning
system is covered
in 640 Heating and Air Conditioning.
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1 410 Fenders. Engine Hood
General ........................... .41 0.2 Engine Hood ...................... 410-6
Special tools ........................ .41 0.2 Hood, raising to service position ......... 410-6
........... Hood. removing and installing 41 0-7 Front Fenders ..................... .41 0.2 Hood. aligning ....................... 41 0-8 Front fender. removing and installing ..... .41 0.2 Hood latch components ............... 41 0-10
Hood release cable and
spring pins, adjusting
................. 410-1 1
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[Fenders, Engine Hood
This repair group covers replacement of the front fenders and
removal and installation of the engine hood.
NOJE-
The body is painted at the factory affer assembly Realign-
ment of body panels may expose unpainted metal. Paint all
exposed metal once the work is complete.
Special tools
Most body repairs can be performed using regular automotive
service tools. Some BMW special tools are required to set
body pieces into the
service positions.
Front fender, removing and installing
- Raise front of vehicle and remove wheel
WARNING-
Make sure that the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose.
Placejaclr stands beneath structural
chassis points. Do not place jack stands under suspension
parts.
- Raise hood to service position. See Hood, raising to ser-
vice position.
4 Working beneath vehicle, remove fasteners (arrows) from
left side floor panel and remove panel.
- Remove inner plastic liner from wheel housing.