How important are our side airbags?

[sixfiveoh]

I'm not sure if it's only on facelift or not, but my car has side airbags that come out of the seat. I was always toying with the idea of swapping some Recaros in for a little more bolstering, but of course I would lose my airbags. Recently though, the stitching on my passenger's seat began to tear and now it seems my decision will come soon to either have it reupholstered (like I did my driver's seat) or to just leave it be and buy seats in a bit.

My question is, how much safety do the side airbags add? I was under the impression that it was a great deal, but was looking for anyone else's word on the matter?

[flynnr]

my buddys life was saved with a side curtain air bag

idk though if your a good driver you shouldnt be getting in any accidents : )

where did you get your seat reupholstered? i want to get mine done too

[sixfiveoh]

The side curtains will remain - I'm talking about the side airbag that deploys from the side of the seat. I got my whole seat bottom reupholstered locally for around $240, and it looks brand spanking new.

[jturnbull]

Well my friend didnt have them in his subbie and he slid into a pole and hit it right on the side door and died so i imagine they would help alot to keep you in your seat and from hitting the side of the car

[A4Rob]

I have not had Airbags in my car for 5 years.

[Squarrl]

idk though if your a good driver you shouldnt be getting in any accidents : )

Yes because only bad drivers get in collisions and only when you expect it to happen.

[andyrew]

You could have the seat reupholstered add extra support in the foam.

[bob12312357]

Some chick I was hooking up with a year ago driving in the rain slid sideways into a telephone pole and impacted at 25-30mph. Died of blunt force trauma to her head. Curtain airbags def woulda prevented it.

[goody6691]

my car does not have side curtains, i did switch out my seats for sparcos. i have no bags at all now [sparco stearing wheel install disabled the passenger bag] i am reinstalling a fattened up factory wheel so i will have front bags again.

[jturnbull]

Some chick I was hooking up with a year ago driving in the rain slid sideways into a telephone pole and impacted at 25-30mph. Died of blunt force trauma to her head. Curtain airbags def woulda prevented it.

Same shit happened to my best friend dude slid into a pole after it just rained and died shit sucks.

[Oranoco]

Not important at all, providing you don'thit something and nobody hits you.

Saying that though I know people that have got out of terrible wrecks from cars without any airbags at with only the odd cuts and bruises

[flyromeo3]

I think its a dumb question.
Its like saying how important is the steering wheel on the car while in motion.

If you get t-boned the bags will semi-protect you from the blunt impact.
No side airbags equals your head will be the airbag.

[tdn]

idk though if your a good driver you shouldnt be getting in any accidents : )

I'm assuming the smiley face means that you're being sarcastic.

[SykoraA4]

ive seen deployed side curtain bags, but i dont think ive seen the ones in the seat deployed. i assume they deploy from the shoulder area down? ive thought about new seats and this airbag debate as well...

[317ssayzarc]

That was caused by hitting a raised manhole cover that caught my subframe... No reason for it to go off, but it did... So I am now disconnecting my other seat and using a resistor to keep the light off... I have to find a gray leather MK4 seat, which is damned near impossible... I am not pleased with these stupid seat airbags [/rant]