BMW 4 Series Seat Belt Handover Failure Fix Needed

Had the exact same issue on my 2019 BMW 3 series last spring. The belt handover mechanism completely failed, no movement at all. Initially thought it was just the motor, but turned out the entire belt presenter unit was defective. The metal guide track inside was worn out and caused the mechanism to jam. Got it fixed at an authorized service center. They had to replace the complete belt presenter assembly, including the motor and track system. Not a quick fix, took them nearly a full day since they had to remove part of the interior trim to access everything properly. It's definitely a safety concern since the belt system isn't functioning as designed. Mine started making grinding noises before it completely failed. If you're hearing similar sounds, don't wait too long to get it checked out. Based on my experience, I'd recommend going to a BMW certified shop for this one. These mechanisms are pretty specific to BMW models and need proper diagnostic tools to verify everything's working correctly after the repair.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the belt presenter issue! I had very similar symptoms on mine before getting it fixed. Really helpful to know the details about the worn guide track, makes total sense why it would cause that kind of failure. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the complete repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since they fixed it, or have you noticed any other quirks with the belt system?

Hey again! Glad I could help with the info. Since you asked, I got it fixed about 8 months ago and haven't had a single problem since. The belt presenter works like new now, completely smooth and quiet. The total bill came to 455 € for replacing the faulty belt presenter unit. Honestly, while it wasn't cheap, it was worth every penny to get it working properly again. The mechanic showed me the old unit and the belt tensioner was definitely shot, that was causing all those grinding noises we both experienced. If your symptoms were similar to what I had, sounds like you're dealing with the same issue. Like I said before, definitely recommend getting it checked at a certified shop, they know exactly what to look for with these specific mechanisms. Peace of mind is worth it, especially when it comes to safety features like this.

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! I actually just got back from the mechanic today. You were spot on, it was the same issue with the belt presenter unit. Had to shell out a bit more than you did, around 500 €, but at least it's fixed now. Funny story, while I was at the shop, they showed me the old unit and I could literally see where the metal track had worn down. No wonder it was making those awful grinding sounds! The mechanic mentioned they see this problem quite often in our model year. Really glad I took your advice about going to a certified shop. They knew exactly what they were doing and got it sorted in about 6 hours. The belt presenter is working perfectly now, smooth and quiet, just like you said. Such a relief to have this fixed properly, especially after my previous bad experience with that other mechanic. Thanks again for helping me avoid another potential headache. It's great to have knowledgeable people to turn to for advice!