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Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Rear Headrest Retro-fit DIY

I have been itching to do something new to my car, but maintain the clean look and German sophistication of my BMW. I wanted to start with something small. As I was surfing the web I came across a post about rear headrests that were standard on many of the later E36 models. This was not an option that was given on my year 325is. I found a smokin' deal on a set of headrests and decided to tackle this project.


1. Fold down (or remove) the folding seats. Remove the side bolster with a strong tug at the top. Carefully remove both C pillar trim covers; remember to disconnect the light wiring.

2. To remove the black trim that lines the top of the trunk opening you need to remove the four black plugs. This was the most time consuming part. i would suggest buying four new ones from BMW. Otherwise, I used a couple forks, quarters-as wedges- and a pair of pliers to remove them without sufficient damage.

3. I removed the two speaker grills, and third-brake light cover to give me more handles when I removed the rear parcel.

4. Carefully slide out the rear parcel, pulling straight out. This is what it looks like upside-down when it is out.















You will see these four of these imprints on the back of the rear parcel.















I used a utility knife to cut out the holes for the trim pieces.















When I got them in I realized how faded and nasty the real parcel was. (this has one side with the post trims and one side without)
















5. When you replace the rear parcel back into the car make sure that the four little edges on the rear of the rear parcel slip back into their place. Then, with the speaker grills out place the posts into the their slots and slip the spring washers into place by lifting up the parcel to gain acccess. This is where they go.










6. Slap on the headrests, and halfway there.

7. Return all the parts back in the reverse order.

Rear Headrest Retro-fit (cont.)


Here is the small list of things that are required to make this happen...

These are all things that I have extra. They are available, email jeremykoontz@gmail.com for more information.


4 covers that go around the headrest posts in the rear parcel. (Part numbers; Schwarz, 52 20 8 135 923; Grau, 52 20 8 190 349; Beige, 52 20 8 190 350; Klassischrot, 52 20 8 190 351; Tuerkis, 52 50 8 190 352; Blauviolett, 52 20 8 190 353; Safrangelb, 52 20 8 190 354)

4 spring washers that secure the post below the rear parcel. (Part number 52 10 928 809)







4 rear headrest posts, two left and two right. (Part numbers; left, 52 20 1 977 897; and right, 52 20 1 977 898)






The most important part, two headrests.