Ok, thanks guys - now we're getting somewhere. BG, I was able to glean from many postings that if you disable the passenger airbag, the whole SRS system becomes defunct, that is driver's airbag as well as the automatic detente of the seatbelts - that's why I decided to pursue other options (not to mention that crossbar under the bag!). And the other thing is my e300 is pretty much too nice to just dismantle, and having a shop swap BOTH systems in & out of BOTH cars would be way too much dough! So it seems maybe I should offer up the w124 sedan back into the market. It's one of those previously owned cars that most of us car guys look for - one owner, every single service record (including EVERY oil change!) and literally EVERYTHING in the car works! Black with grey, 225K. Feelers?