Tether anchors in 2000 BMW 528i sedan?

[Unregistered]

My husband is considering purchasing a 2000 BMW 528i sedan, and I am wanting to make sure it has top tether anchors before we do so. I'm pretty certain it does not have LATCH, which I'm fine with since I imagine we can get a snug seatbelt fit, but the top tether anchors are a must for me. Anyone have any idea on this? I've looked online and not gotten enough info to feel confident. He's driving 2 hours away to look at the car, so I'd like to know before he possibly wastes a trip. Thank you for any help!!

 

[wendytthomas]

The LATCH manual has info on the 1989-1999 and 2001-2011 5 series sedans. A quick google search puts it in with the 1997-1999, rather than the 2001+. So my *guess* is that no, it doesn't. However, there are tether points and they can be retrofitted. Check the owner's manual under "installing child seats" for info. You can definitely get tethers, though, if it doesn't have them.

Wendy

 

[Unregistered]

Thank you for replying, Wendy! OK, I found an owner's manual online, and it appears that the 2000 does actually have tether anchors. I studied the pictures on the car listing online, and there were a couple pictures of the rear where I could see what I assumed to be them -- they were each on the back windowsill, directly behind each headrest. Is that most likely them? I drive an SUV, so I'm used to them being in a different location.

 

[joolsplus3]

I hope it does have them! My 2000 323i did not. The cutoff date for top tethers in sedans was 9/1/1999, so my MY2000 car was made in August 1999, and it was not required to have them (does your DH have the VIN number to run a carfax report on it? That would have date of manufacture). It was possible, but very, very expensive at our local dealer, to have them added. Fingers crossed for you, and yes, they are right there in the package shelf behind the headrests if they are there.

 

[Unregistered]

Julie, thanks for your help! I looked at the Carfax, but it doesn't give date of manufacture. It just showed that it arrived in the US from Germany in February of 2000... I'm hoping that means it was made shortly before then in 2000? It is kind of funny that I'm on here asking this because we are selling his current car (a 1996 Land Cruiser) because it's one of the only cars that cannot be retrofitted with a top tether anchor. When he bought it, I didn't think to check on that, so I'm making sure we don't make the same mistake again! Even if the BMW can be retrofitted, I'd much rather buy a car that has anchors from the factory and not have to fool with it.

 

[Unregistered]

YES, it does. I have a 2000 BMW 528i sedan and I have a Britax car seat in the center seat position and yes it does have an upper tether just behind the center headrest.