[Cyberdemon]

I just picked up my 235 convertible yesterday, and the rear visibility due to the headrests is less than ideal. I'd love to yank them off since I expect to rarely/never fit anyone in the back seat.

I climbed back there and tried pulling on them but no luck. Are they part of the restraint/rollover system in the convertible? Or do I just have to break out a screwdriver and start disassembling things?

[Cyberdemon]

Took a look behind the seat, they are bolted in place. With that said when it warms up I'll probably yank them off anyways. I would rather be able to see the cars behind me then worry about the safety of passengers who aren't there.

[todd hollander]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Took a look behind the seat, they are bolted in place. With that said when it warms up I'll probably yank them off anyways. I would rather be able to see the cars behind me then worry about the safety of passengers who aren't there.

I am planning to do the same. We always have the wind blocker in place as well, no passengers. If you figure out how to get to these before I do please post a DIY. I will as well. The roll over popup roll bars are independent of the rear headrests.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by todd hollander

I am planning to do the same. We always have the wind blocker in place as well, no passengers. If you figure out how to get to these before I do please post a DIY. I will as well. The roll over popup roll bars are independent of the rear headrests.

Will do. There's a plastic cover I have to try prying off and see what it looks like without them whenever it stops being so cold and raining so I can put the top down.

[Kiwi]

Yes do post removal of the rear head rests as I'll be removing ours as well. It will not be for visibility I just don't like the look of car with them in place.

I could ask my dealer to remove before delivery.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

Yes do post removal of the rear head rests as I'll be removing ours as well. It will not be for visibility I just don't like the look of car with them in place.

I could ask my dealer to remove before delivery.

I doubt the dealer will do it, they'll tell you they're not removable and won't want the liability if something goes wrong or starts rattling, etc.

But they're easily accessed...would be brilliant if they could just tilt or pop out like every other car on earth. :-(

[ellincali]

Okay--I'm completely confused by this because it was one of the first things I said to my husband after we got home--the lack of visibility in the already-small rear window bothered me.

He walked over and pulled them right out...mine are now sitting in my trunk.

I mean he's strong...but he's not THAT strong.



Mine's a 228, though and it looks like you all have 235's--could that really be the difference?

[todd hollander]

"He walked over and pulled them right out...mine are now sitting in my trunk.
I mean he's strong...but he's not THAT strong."

He is that strong!!! Thanks so much for posting this, I just went out and wrestled my headrests out too. But damn they were really tough to get out. I am in pretty good shape for 63, gym and weights and all, but it was almost impossible to get these out, but out they came. M235i convertible.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<THANKS AGAIN FOR POSTING THIS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[ellincali]

Originally Posted by todd hollander

"He walked over and pulled them right out...mine are now sitting in my trunk.
I mean he's strong...but he's not THAT strong."

He is that strong!!! Thanks so much for posting this, I just went out and wrestled my headrests out too. But damn they were really tough to get out. I am in pretty good shape for 63, gym and weights and all, but it was almost impossible to get these out, but out they came. M235i convertible.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<THANKS AGAIN FOR POSTING THIS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This will make him very happy! Glad we could help.

[Cyberdemon]

Haha thanks! Glad I posted this.

I am not strong at all so I will give you that. Also at 6'4 trying to get into the back seat with the top up to get leverage on them was tricky, I gave them a pretty good yank and nothing so I figured they were bolted in place.

Will take the top down so I can get some more leverage and give this another shot. Thanks!

[tccox]

Just a wee bit curious here. The rear headrests in my 228 coupe fold flat for increased visibility when no passengers in the back seat (basically all the time) apparently thats not true with convertibles ?
?

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by tccox

Just a wee bit curious here. The rear headrests in my 228 coupe fold flat for increased visibility when no passengers in the back seat (basically all the time) apparently thats not true with convertibles ?
?

Correct...which is irritating since the close proximity of the headrests blocks a large portion of the view. Coming from a 3 series I was like "Oh I'll just tilt these down"...now where's the button...

But as long as they can be yanked out it's good. Don't know how much money they saved by not using the same tilting part that comes in the coupe or 3 series.

[todd hollander]

This last pic shows off the spacers quite nicely, 10mm rear, 12.5mm front, from ECS.
Just a very subtle difference but in the right direction. Thanks again elincali!

[ellincali]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Correct...which is irritating since the close proximity of the headrests blocks a large portion of the view. Coming from a 3 series I was like "Oh I'll just tilt these down"...now where's the button...

But as long as they can be yanked out it's good. Don't know how much money they saved by not using the same tilting part that comes in the coupe or 3 series.

When I read this I ran out to our X3 to see if the rear headrests folded down and they don't, though they're not very intrusive in that car.

The fold-down option really would have been much nicer; what a strange option to leave off the car that needed it most.

[crawfordbay]

Originally Posted by todd hollander

This last pic shows off the spacers quite nicely, 10mm rear, 12.5mm front, from ECS.
Just a very subtle difference but in the right direction. Thanks again elincali!

Wow! That looks awesome without the back headrests. Thanks for posting!

[angelbones]

Having sat in a 2 series convertible with the top up, that is really a mark against it. The blind spot is bad enough, but to not be able to see what's behind you is a problem BMW needs to fix immediately. It is not complicated. Either make them easy to remove or do what others like Lexus has done, pull a lever from the driver's seat which folds the rear headrests forward, allowing clear vision behind.

[Cyberdemon]

Wow you guys are really trying to sell me on a gym membership...

I went out to the car today to try this again and I can not get them to budge. I don't know if the colder temps are causing the metal to bind up or what. It's hard to get good leverage on them but either way it seems a bit insane.

For those guys who got them out, were there any kind of hook features or anything on the bottom? Does it need to get tilted a certain way or do I just need to find a stronger friend?

[ellincali]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Wow you guys are really trying to sell me on a gym membership...

I went out to the car today to try this again and I can not get them to budge. I don't know if the colder temps are causing the metal to bind up or what. It's hard to get good leverage on them but either way it seems a bit insane.

For those guys who got them out, were there any kind of hook features or anything on the bottom? Does it need to get tilted a certain way or do I just need to find a stronger friend?

I asked Hercules (aka my hubby) if he remembers his technique. Top down, he was outside the car, put his hands on either side of the headrest and pulled straight up. He said the first one came out very easily and he had to pull pretty hard to get the second one out.

So seriously, my husband doesn't lift weights, but he is 6'3" and he has huge hands. I have a feeling it's the large hands (able to get a really good grip) and the height (able to position himself over the headrest). Maybe find a friend who can palm a basketball to help!

Good luck!

[Cyberdemon]

I'm 6'4 and can palm a basketball but man they did not want to budge, but I had the top up since it's still snowing here in NY.

Will do it with the top down so I can stand and put my back into it.

[Whiskeymike]

I'm an old dude and removed mine before I read this and found out how hard it was;I might not have tried had I known!
On the issue of "folding" the rear headrests: the automatic popup rollover protection is right behind the headrest. I would imagine any folding would have to impinge on the space occupied by the rollover mechanism.

[todd hollander]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Wow you guys are really trying to sell me on a gym membership...

I went out to the car today to try this again and I can not get them to budge. I don't know if the colder temps are causing the metal to bind up or what. It's hard to get good leverage on them but either way it seems a bit insane.

For those guys who got them out, were there any kind of hook features or anything on the bottom? Does it need to get tilted a certain way or do I just need to find a stronger friend?

I had the top down, standing by the headrest and I grabbed and rocked it right and left and it moved a bit. I kept at it and eventually got it out. The other side was tighter, so I actually had to lever it out a bit with a brush handle under the headrest. I was really trying not to tear my rotator cuff! The two chrome supports are smooth and have a vertical groove in them but I am sure they are clamped somehow to keep them from easy removal. They do not have any hooks and are completely smooth. If yours are clamped really tight it might not be possible to yank them out without first loosening the clamps. I was lucky.
I'd try a stronger friend first.

[ellincali]

I agree with Todd--it seems more a matter of luck (whether they got really wedged in during production) than anything else, but having the top up would definitely make it more difficult.

Hopefully you'll get a break in the weather and can try it with the top down.

I would expect the dealership would help you (at no cost) if all else fails.