535i rear seat in M5?? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

redl1nerpm · 10th April 2006, 07:19

My car has the 4 seat option. Could I simply get a rear seat from a regular E34 5 and put it in?

illjah · 10th April 2006, 10:12

yes.

Sebring NL · 10th April 2006, 13:22

check for the headrests though, I believe the back plate that separates the trunk from the cabin is a tad different when headrest are mounted. I believe the backrest is in fact held in place by the headrest IIRC from my shock replacement saga.

Maybe ALL 535i's come with headrests, but if you can choose, make sure you get those just in case.

The 525iX we had had an E32 interior in , which fitted straight away as well.

good luck

W

illjah · 10th April 2006, 13:39

there are a few different types as well, which may have different mounting points (my 535i has foldable 33/66% rear seats that have a pivot point at front to lift seat bases forward to get seatback perfetly flat when folded, and is not held in my the two big clips as most other seats are).

but there should be no problem to fit pretty much any e34 interior - esp if Sebring NL says he's fitted in an e32 interior in a e34 as well!!

oh and btw my 535 has rear headrests, but they are self contained with the seat backs, due to it being a folding variety.

Sebring NL · 10th April 2006, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by illjah

but there should be no problem to fit pretty much any e34 interior - esp if Sebring NL says he's fitted in an e32 interior in a e34 as well!!
.

100% sure mate. Took it out myself. I even believe some sort of label or writing on the inside of the seat has E32 written on or something.

Stevie · 10th April 2006, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebring NL

I believe the backrest is in fact held in place by the headrest

And by 4 10mm nuts. 2 on the outer lower edges on the inner wheelarch and 2 on the hinge of the center armrest.....

One big advantage of the 5seat configuration is that in takes all of 2 seconds to REPLACE the battery. Try that on a 4 seater.....

illjah · 10th April 2006, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie

Try that on a 4 seater.....

my 4 seater is easy to get to the battery - just lift the seat cusion????? admitadly you may not be able to replace it or actually remove it (haven't had to do that on the m5 yet), but you can get to it easily enough.

Sebring NL · 10th April 2006, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie

And by 4 10mm nuts. 2 on the outer lower edges on the inner wheelarch and 2 on the hinge of the center armrest.....
.

that's right, they are plastic and most of E34's are missing at least one since people keep dropping them into the battery snakepit surrounding!

Simply slide out the headrests and the surrounding plastic and the backrest will come of easily.

redl1nerpm · 10th April 2006, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie

And by 4 10mm nuts. 2 on the outer lower edges on the inner wheelarch and 2 on the hinge of the center armrest.....

One big advantage of the 5seat configuration is that in takes all of 2 seconds to get to the battery. Try that on a 4 seater.....

sorry got you beat, it only takes 1 second on the 4 seater..

Sounds good, thanks guys.

WylM5 · 11th April 2006, 01:03

It may fit but there are differences. Most "regular" E34's that I see here US are all bench style in back so I guess you would have to remove your "bread bin" and perhaps the brackets below it as well as I don't recall seeing those on my Fathers 535. Also most E34's (especially earlier models) don't have the headrests and the seat back may require you to get rid of the center storage bin and do not have the lateral support of the M5 seat back.