[hundy]

[IMG]img-0578-2.jpg[/IMG]

[Kiwi]

I don't know what the problem is with the rear head rests installed as the car has a rear camera, rear backing sensors, 2 side mirrors and a centre rear view mirror.

[p912guy]

IMO they significantly block the view through the rear window when using the rear-view mirror, especially with the convertible. Also, some of us think the convertible looks better without them when the top is down. I never have any rear seat passengers, so the rear head rests aren't needed. If I ever were to have a rear seat passenger, I carry them in the driver's side rear foot-well and can quickly replace them when needed.

[Firebirdof06]

I tried removing them using the pull method and got nowhere other than working up a sweat in the heat and becoming angry

[shark715]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

I don't know what the problem is with the rear head rests installed as the car has a rear camera, rear backing sensors, 2 side mirrors and a centre rear view mirror.

So you think that better rearward visibility would not be a good thing? Granted I may be a bit sensitive on this issue as I know someone who fatally backed over their toddler in their driveway.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by todd hollander

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.

I yanked both of mine out in my 228ix. Time for you to hit the gym.

[hundy]

Rear view mirror visibility with convertible top up dangerously sucks. Removing rear headrests makes a huge difference. It's a safety issue in key opinion. Looks better too. No one will ever be put in my rear seats, unless I want to torture them.

[shark715]

Originally Posted by hundy

5/8" nylon hole plugs from Lowes finish the holes nicely.

Excellent solution. Are they removable if I ever wanted to reinstall the headrests?

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by shark715

So you think that better rearward visibility would not be a good thing? Granted I may be a bit sensitive on this issue as I know someone who fatally backed over their toddler in their driveway.

OMG, that is awful. Cant imagine. I have grandkids so no head rests and I have front and rear cameras.

[shark715]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

OMG, that is awful. Cant imagine. I have grandkids so no head rests and I have front and rear cameras.

It's been several years and it's still unfathomable. I literally still think about it everytime I put any vehicle in reverse.

[BEM-S4]

I almost hit a kid once, maybe 12 who flew out from between two parked cars on a bicycle in the city. Even that was scary enough, cannot imagine hitting anyone let alone a toddler in the driveway.

[p912guy]

Even with good visibility in the rear-view and side-view mirrors, a back-up camera and sensors, backing out of the driveway, especially in subdivisions that have little or no traffic, becomes too easy or "automatic". I can't tell you how often, I have been "surprised" by a car coming down the road, or worse yet, a walker with kids or a dog, just as I am about to leave the driveway and enter the road and I have to stop quickly to avoid hitting them. I have also found it too easy to rely on the back-up camera and not have my head out of the car looking around to see what might be entering my camera's field of vision as I am backing up. As a runner, I have become very aware of cars backing out of driveways and always stop and wait for the car to back out or stop and acknowledge my presence.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by p912guy

Even with good visibility in the rear-view and side-view mirrors, a back-up camera and sensors, backing out of the driveway, especially in subdivisions that have little or no traffic, becomes too easy or "automatic". I can't tell you how often, I have been "surprised" by a car coming down the road, or worse yet, a walker with kids or a dog, just as I am about to leave the driveway and enter the road and I have to stop quickly to avoid hitting them. I have also found it too easy to rely on the back-up camera and not have my head out of the car looking around to see what might be entering my camera's field of vision as I am backing up. As a runner, I have become very aware of cars backing out of driveways and always stop and wait for the car to back out or stop and acknowledge my presence.

Very good advice, Always a quick glance. I am a cyclist so I know where you are coming from. I always take the mindset that people don't see me on the bike. Especially with all of the distractions out there. I removed the 228ix headrests after I got it and took out the ones in the X3. They are another visibility issue.

[petegtsv10]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

I yanked both of mine out in my 228ix. Time for you to hit the gym.

My 62 year old, 105 lb, wife took hers out easily the day the car got here!!

[Firebirdof06]

Had the dealer look at mine yesterday/today when I brought it in for other issues.

They called and said the foreman said "it is impossible to remove them" so I brought up it's in the owners manual. She went back out with the manager and they tried to see if they could get them out and called back with the same "it's impossible and it's connected to the roll bars" (which I know people have refuted in this thread).

No idea...MY2015.

Haven't tried the tools method yet, unsure how people are just popping them out easily...kind of frustrating.

[Elvisfan]

The headrests don't bother me. But pulling out of my driveway,cars coming from the right rear are almost impossible to see.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by hundy

5/8" nylon hole plugs from Lowes finish the holes nicely.

Thanks for the tip! Whatever I ordered from Amazon must not have been the same thing you used b/c the plugs were too loose in the holes. Wrapped them with some electrical tape before inserting and problem solved. Anyway looks much better!

[p912guy]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Thanks for the tip! Whatever I ordered from Amazon must not have been the same thing you used b/c the plugs were too loose in the holes. Wrapped them with some electrical tape before inserting and problem solved. Anyway looks much better!

I purchased the 5/8" plugs from Lowes and they were a little loose too, but they fit and gravity will hold them in place. I'd suggest the 11/16" might actually work a bit better for a more secure / tight fit. The come two to a pack and are something like $1.69 a pack. I'd imagine HD or other "home supply" stores also carry them.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by p912guy

I purchased the 5/8" plugs from Lowes and they were a little loose too, but they fit and gravity will hold them in place. I'd suggest the 11/16" might actually work a bit better for a more secure / tight fit. The come two to a pack and are something like $1.69 a pack. I'd imagine HD or other "home supply" stores also carry them.

Yeah there were tons of options on Amazon. A little tape did the trick. My only back seat passenger is of the furry variety didn't want to risk one popping out and him chewing it. $1 plug can turn into $1k at the vet pretty easily.

[hundy]

I tried 11/16 plugs as well. Too big. 5/8 fit securely in my car and I didn't see the need to add tape. Either way putting the plugs in the holes sure gives a more finished look.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by hundy

I tried 11/16 plugs as well. Too big. 5/8 fit securely in my car and I didn't see the need to add tape. Either way putting the plugs in the holes sure gives a more finished look.

Just based on my Amazon searching if you get the 5/8 look for the ones with the biggest wings or whatever little pieces stick out from the plug part are called you should be good. I went the opposite way and went for the smallest wings fearing they wouldn't fit.

[peteranton]

Perfect fit for the plugs are 5/8th (.625). Easy removal. I got them at Lowes (Item #139466, Hillman 2-Pack 0.625-in Black Plastic Hole Plug).

And actually standing on the back seat, the rear headrests come right out with no problem.