[SquareWheels]

This is not unique to the M550, or any BMW (my 440 convertible was terrible), or any car manufacturer, I suspect, but for those that like to enjoy the windows down, how do you keep the rear seatbelts from flapping?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by SquareWheels

This is not unique to the M550, or any BMW (my 440 convertible was terrible), or any car manufacturer, I suspect, but for those that like to enjoy the windows down, how do you keep the rear seatbelts from flapping?

Turn up the music REALLY loud!

Seriously, following, it's annoying when it happens. Doesn't alway happen though for some reason.

[Qsilver7]

This doesn’t seem to be anywhere in my conception…so if my questions sound dumb…it’s because my brain isn’t wrapping around what the issue is.

What is “flapping” or making the noise? Is it the material strap itself…or is it the buckle? If it’s the buckle…where is it located on the strap? Do you have it set high around the shoulder area…or low near the seat bottom.

[SquareWheels]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

This doesn’t seem to be anywhere in my conception…so if my questions sound dumb…it’s because my brain isn’t wrapping around what the issue is.

What is “flapping” or making the noise? Is it the material strap itself…or is it the buckle? If it’s the buckle…where is it located on the strap? Do you have it set high around the shoulder area…or low near the seat bottom.

It's the material of the strap, it flaps against the seat.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by SquareWheels

It's the material of the strap, it flaps against the seat.

Ah. What happens if you buckle the seat belts? Would that put enough tension on the belts to keep them from flapping in the wind? And for the center seat belt...on my 6 series, there'sa holder built into the rear parcel shelf designed to secure the center belt. You can see it in this internet screen capture below...the center rear seat belt can be secured into the little holder on the parcel shelf behind the center headrest:

[Joe-BMW33]

Q, the same way your hair blows around from the wind entering your car with the windows down, the rear seatbelts catch the wind and flap against the seat.

I can’t believe I’m explaining something so simple to the God of BMW problem solving😉

[LogicalApex]

I don’t drive with my windows down. Wind noise from the air entering the cabin and buffeting around annoys me greatly.

That said. Are your belts loose? Mine don’t have a lot of play on them in the backseat so I don’t expect they’d make much noise from the wind. If you get back seat passengers you might need to reset them to get rid of the play.

The only belt that annoys me is the front passenger. If it isn’t in the felt area you’re in for a bad time.

Oh, and yeah I don’t have my center belt dangling that is retracted up into the back area as Q described.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Q, the same way your hair blows around from the wind entering your car with the windows down, the rear seatbelts catch the wind and flap against the seat.

I can’t believe I’m explaining something so simple to the God of BMW problem solving��

Joe…you’ve described another scenario that I’m totally unfamiliar with. I’m bald…and when I did have hair…it was short enough to never have “caught air”…so I’ve never experienced hair blowing in the wind…it’s a totally foreign concept.

And like LogicalApex…I don’t drive around with all my windows down due to all of the wind buffeting. Plus in the summer, I usually have the blinds up on the rear windows…so another reason not to drive around with the rear windows down.

The closest “concept” I have is the front passenger seat belt. I have seen the buckle rattle against the B pillar or the belt flap in the wind if the window is down…but either moving the clamp (#6) or the button-pin (#4 & #5) that allows you to let the buckle rest in a different location…or make sure there’s no slack in the belt…has solved those issues.

Thus the reason for my question in the post above…I wasn’t exactly sure of what was moving and making noise.

BTW, I far from being infallible … so thank you for the last line in your quote…it gave me a good laugh (at myself).

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Joe…you’ve described another scenario that I’m totally unfamiliar with. I’m bald…and when I did have hair…it was short enough to never have “caught air”…so I’ve never experienced hair blowing in the wind…it’s a totally foreign concept.

And like LogicalApex…I don’t drive around with all my windows down due to all of the wind buffeting. Plus in the summer, I usually have the blinds up on the rear windows…so another reason not to drive around with the rear windows down.

The closest “concept” I have is the front passenger seat belt. I have seen the buckle rattle against the B pillar or the belt flap in the wind if the window is down…but either moving the clamp (#6) or the button-pin (#4 & #5) that allows you to let the buckle rest in a different location…or make sure there’s no slack in the belt…has solved those issues.



Thus the reason for my question in the post above…I wasn’t exactly sure of what was moving and making noise.

BTW, I far from being infallible … so thank you for the last line in your quote…it gave me a good laugh (at myself).

You’re the man Q! It was fun though explaining wind tongue in cheek to you😉


Yeah, it’s different than the buckle rattle up front. This one is probably not solvable unless you cut them out. It’s physics. It’s honestly not that big of a deal. You open the windows and drive over 40 and stuff blows around.

You made me laugh out loud on your first paragraph!

Now on windows down driving. It’s probably my favorite scenario to drive in. The window (pun intended) is small for windows down driving in Boston. A few weeks in spring and fall when the air is dry, seemingly clean and the temps are in the low 70’’s. Too much humidity in the summer too enjoy the experience.

The other major factor is that the Bowers and Wilkins system sounds absolutely incredible with the windows down. It’s like letting it breath by removing all the glass reflection. Sometimes there are too many damn speakers in cars all competing for acoustics in a closed environment. The system is so powerful and goes so loud, the wind noise is not a factor.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

I don’t drive with my windows down. Wind noise from the air entering the cabin and buffeting around annoys me greatly.

That said. Are your belts loose? Mine don’t have a lot of play on them in the backseat so I don’t expect they’d make much noise from the wind. If you get back seat passengers you might need to reset them to get rid of the play.

The only belt that annoys me is the front passenger. If it isn’t in the felt area you’re in for a bad time.

Oh, and yeah I don’t have my center belt dangling that is retracted up into the back area as Q described.

Mine are plenty tight and laying nice and flat on the leather. Trust me, if you opened the windows and drove 80, they would catch some air between the belt and the leather.

[tjbuggy2b]

Usually, with any flapping strap, it's a result of it being taught and straight. It's why you see cargo straps fluttering in the wind on the highway, and it's the same effect that causes a reed to make noise in a wind instrument, like a saxophone.

You can 100% prevent it from occurring by putting a single twist on the strap. For cargo straps, literally just flipping the buckle once around before cinching it down. It will work for seatbelts, too.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

You can 100% prevent it from occurring by putting a single twist on the strap. For cargo straps, literally just flipping the buckle once around before cinching it down. It will work for seatbelts, too.

There it is...all we needed was some science to bring a resolution to this issue. Who knew it would end in a "twist".

[ezaircon4jc]

Do you have the moonroof open? In the vent position? That should help buffeting.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Do you have the moonroof open? In the vent position? That should help buffeting.

Negative for me. I very rarely open the sunroof in any position. If I get an M5, I will not miss a sunroof.

[2022M550i]

The friggen twist! I’ll try that. The flapping annoys the shit out of me.

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Negative for me. I very rarely open the sunroof in any position. If I get an M5, I will not miss a sunroof.

You’ve been talking a lot of smack about an M5. I think you’re just trying to bait me into getting one before you do And then you’ll back out after you succeed in getting me to spend more of my money.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by 2022M550i

You’ve been talking a lot of smack about an M5. I think you’re just trying to bait me into getting one before you do And then you’ll back out after you succeed in getting me to spend more of my money.

Ha! I’m always looking. Waiting for a 2022 comp with a cool color in and out.

You’ve got a Viper! You don’t need an M5.

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Ha! I’m always looking. Waiting for a 2022 comp with a cool color in and out.

You’ve got a Viper! You don’t need an M5.

The viper is a sledgehammer, the M5 is a precision tool.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by 2022M550i

The viper is a sledgehammer, the M5 is a precision tool.

Been following Vipers on BaT. They go for big money. You’re sitting on an asset.

[mydmrg30]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

Usually, with any flapping strap, it's a result of it being taught and straight. It's why you see cargo straps fluttering in the wind on the highway, and it's the same effect that causes a reed to make noise in a wind instrument, like a saxophone.

You can 100% prevent it from occurring by putting a single twist on the strap. For cargo straps, literally just flipping the buckle once around before cinching it down. It will work for seatbelts, too.

Nice, I will try that.