M (or sport) seatback removal

antennahead · 05-21-2011, 01:01 PM

Anyone removed their seatback on the M (sport) seats? The idiot that owned the car before me used the BMW vinyl/removable windscreen, the one that slips over the roll hoops. It has metal hooks attached to straps that hook under the plastic trim at the back, to hold it in place. Fool was too lazy to take 15 seconds and tilt the seats out of the way before removing and putting the windscreen on, subsequently he rubbed the velour/fabric covering on the seat backs down to the plastic underneath taking the windsceeen on and off. The damage looks tacky as crap, ragged and ripped looking and down to the underneath surface. It's on the headrest area towards the outside of the car, VERY visible when the top is down. I tried fixing it with that fabric repair kit you can buy at auto parts stores, and it did reduce the issue a lot, but it still is not acceptable to me. Anyway, I am going to spend the money soon to replace them. From what I could tell looking at the OEM parts site, I might have to loosen the rail bolts holding the seat down to angle it away from the console so I can get to the bolt holding the lower trim piece on that is on the console side of the seat. Anyone experienced with this removal please chime in. Thanks!

John

CFoote · 05-22-2011, 03:22 PM

John,

To be quite honest, it's going to be easier if you can remove the seats to get the seatbacks out, but you might be able to get them out without unbolting the seats.

Obviously, if you decide to remove the seats, be sure to disconnecte the battery and leave it for an hour or so, that way you won't get an airbag light.

The seatbacks are fairly easy to remove. There are two plastic pins on the bottom of seach seatback that hold the bottom of the seatback in. You'll want a flathead screwdriver or pair of pliers to get them out.

Once you get the plastic pins out, pull the bottom of the seatback away from the seat a little bit (you can do that now that the plastic pins are out) and push up on the seatback. It should come right out, it's held on to the seat by plastic clips.

It will be much easier to comprehend when you start looking at it all.

FYI, go to the dealer and order 4 replacement plastic pins now. You will kill yours getting them out.

Chris

antennahead · 05-22-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFoote

John,

To be quite honest, it's going to be easier if you can remove the seats to get the seatbacks out, but you might be able to get them out without unbolting the seats.

Obviously, if you decide to remove the seats, be sure to disconnecte the battery and leave it for an hour or so, that way you won't get an airbag light.

The seatbacks are fairly easy to remove. There are two plastic pins on the bottom of seach seatback that hold the bottom of the seatback in. You'll want a flathead screwdriver or pair of pliers to get them out.

Once you get the plastic pins out, pull the bottom of the seatback away from the seat a little bit (you can do that now that the plastic pins are out) and push up on the seatback. It should come right out, it's held on to the seat by plastic clips.

It will be much easier to comprehend when you start looking at it all.

FYI, go to the dealer and order 4 replacement plastic pins now. You will kill yours getting them out.

Chris

Thanks Chris! I will order the pins at the same time I order the seatbacks. This is a replacement that could have easily been avoided................ had someone been more respectful of the fine machine they owned

John

CFoote · 05-22-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antennahead

Thanks Chris! I will order the pins at the same time I order the seatbacks. This is a replacement that could have easily been avoided................ had someone been more respectful of the fine machine they owned

John

I hear you, some people just don't get it

Good luck!!

pelerojo · 05-23-2011, 08:48 AM

Actually before you do that do some more searches as there is a great fix for that. The fabric is very easy to damage and as such someone posted a great fix with photos some time back. He took his car to a shop that made matching leather extentions that covered the back of the headrests. It looked great - better than stock. I will see if I can find the post as it may have been one another forum.

05-21-2011, 01:01 PM	#1
antennahead Captain 73 Rep 820 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MR silver grey Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Charleston, South Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 M Roadster [5.00]	M (or sport) seatback removal Anyone removed their seatback on the M (sport) seats? The idiot that owned the car before me used the BMW vinyl/removable windscreen, the one that slips over the roll hoops. It has metal hooks attached to straps that hook under the plastic trim at the back, to hold it in place. Fool was too lazy to take 15 seconds and tilt the seats out of the way before removing and putting the windscreen on, subsequently he rubbed the velour/fabric covering on the seat backs down to the plastic underneath taking the windsceeen on and off. The damage looks tacky as crap, ragged and ripped looking and down to the underneath surface. It's on the headrest area towards the outside of the car, VERY visible when the top is down. I tried fixing it with that fabric repair kit you can buy at auto parts stores, and it did reduce the issue a lot, but it still is not acceptable to me. Anyway, I am going to spend the money soon to replace them. From what I could tell looking at the OEM parts site, I might have to loosen the rail bolts holding the seat down to angle it away from the console so I can get to the bolt holding the lower trim piece on that is on the console side of the seat. Anyone experienced with this removal please chime in. Thanks! John
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-22-2011, 03:22 PM	#2
CFoote Captain 180 Rep 659 Posts Drives: '22 M5CS, '00 M5, '06 Z4M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northeast iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 M5CS [0.00] 2001 BMW 740i [0.00] 2006 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2012 BMW X6 3.5i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00] 2017 BMW 540xi [0.00] 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 2001 BMW X5 4.4i [0.00]	John, To be quite honest, it's going to be easier if you can remove the seats to get the seatbacks out, but you might be able to get them out without unbolting the seats. Obviously, if you decide to remove the seats, be sure to disconnecte the battery and leave it for an hour or so, that way you won't get an airbag light. The seatbacks are fairly easy to remove. There are two plastic pins on the bottom of seach seatback that hold the bottom of the seatback in. You'll want a flathead screwdriver or pair of pliers to get them out. Once you get the plastic pins out, pull the bottom of the seatback away from the seat a little bit (you can do that now that the plastic pins are out) and push up on the seatback. It should come right out, it's held on to the seat by plastic clips. It will be much easier to comprehend when you start looking at it all. FYI, go to the dealer and order 4 replacement plastic pins now. You will kill yours getting them out. Chris __________________ '22 M5CS, '06 Z4M, '01 X5 4.4i, '00 M5, '05 Acura RL, '12 X6 3.5, '01 740, 08 335xi, '17 540xi (yes they all are still with me)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-23-2011, 08:48 AM	#5
pelerojo Private 1 Rep 77 Posts Drives: '06 Z4M Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (1)	Actually before you do that do some more searches as there is a great fix for that. The fabric is very easy to damage and as such someone posted a great fix with photos some time back. He took his car to a shop that made matching leather extentions that covered the back of the headrests. It looked great - better than stock. I will see if I can find the post as it may have been one another forum.
	Appreciate 0 Quote