BMW X4 Seatbelt Handover System Goes Dead, Fix Needed

Hey there! I experienced the exact same issue with my 2020 BMW X3 M40i last year. The handover arm completely stopped functioning, no movement at all when opening the door. Initially thought it was just the motor, but turned out the entire belt bringer mechanism needed replacement. Got it fixed at my regular BMW specialist. The repair involved replacing the complete belt handover unit, including the motor and tensioner assembly. It wasn't just a quick fix, they had to remove part of the B-pillar trim to access everything properly. The job took about 3-4 hours and was considered a significant repair since it's a safety system. My car had similar mileage to yours when it happened. The dealer mentioned these units commonly fail between 60-80K km on this platform. Based on my experience, I'd recommend getting it fixed soon since it's a safety feature. While driving without it working isn't dangerous (the standard seatbelt still functions normally), it's better to have all safety systems operating as intended.

Really appreciate the detailed insight! Just what I needed to hear since I've been worried about this issue. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the complete fix? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the repair, or have you noticed any other quirks with the system?

Hey again! Yep, I can tell you exactly what it cost me, I paid 455 € for the complete fix on my belt handover system. The mechanic confirmed it was just a faulty belt tensioner as I suspected earlier. I'm actually really glad I got it sorted because the system's been working perfectly since then, zero issues or weird quirks. Every time I open the door, the belt comes forward smoothly just like it did when the car was new. The repair was totally worth it in my opinion. My mechanic did a great job and explained that these tensioners can wear out over time, but once replaced, they usually last for ages. Much better than having to reach back for the belt every time, especially since we paid good money for these luxury features! I know you mentioned being hesitant about dealers, but if you've got a trusted mechanic, they should be able to handle this repair without any drama. The part itself is pretty straightforward to replace once they know what they're doing. Let me know if you need any other info about the repair or the car in general. Always happy to help out a fellow BMW owner!

Thanks for all the info! Just wanted to update you, I actually got the repair done last week. Took your advice and went to a trusted independent mechanic rather than the dealer. Turned out my repair was pretty similar to yours, also a faulty tensioner. Paid about 520 € total, bit more than yours but still reasonable. The mechanic was great, showed me the worn-out part and explained everything. Got it done in about 3 hours while I waited at their lounge. The best part? The belt handover system's working perfectly now, smooth and quiet, just like when I first got the car. Such a relief to have it fixed properly! Thanks again for sharing your experience, really helped me make the right decision. Glad I didn't put it off any longer. Guess I'll keep an eye on it now, but hopefully won't have any more issues for a long while. Really appreciate everyone's help here!