I have a 1998 E320 4matic with the babysmart sesat, this was not an option, correst, it was standard in '98 right ? Anyways my question is is there any other way to deactivate the passenger airbag besides a babysmart seat? my daughter is 8 years and about 58lbs, too small to be in front of an airbag, but she wants to be in the front seat? so is there some transponder or some other way to deactiviate the airbag?

 

Child safety should be your first priority!

I strongly recommend keeping her in the back since regular safety belts on a small child do not work as effectively as on adults.

The real problem is that USA cars have much more aggresive air bags than in Europe.
In USA it is assumed that the occupants are unlikely to be wearing their seat belts so the air bag is bigger and deploys more quickly thus passively imposing a safety device on the occupant . Unfortunately this causes a problem with smaller children / babies if carried in the front seat.
In Europe it is presumed that the occupant will wear the safety belt provided and the airbag is therefore smaller less aggressive since it is a backup rather than primary defense.

Why try to remove a feature that has been installed for your safety?
The safest place for her WHETHER SHE LIKES IT OR NOT is the rear seat!!

Just for interest the UK laws have recently been changed and all "children", dependent upon size, must use safety seats or booster cushions otherwise break the LAW.. The booster cushion is required because children are not adequately constrained by regular adult safety belts.

Yes the system can be deactivated but the design has been modified (made automatic) so as to discourage this.

Don't mean to lecture. Just get the priorites sorted. Stuart