Are F10/F11 front headrests removable?

Carbonschwartz · 05-04-2011, 01:54 AM

Just ordering an iPad headrest mount for the kids in preparation for my F11 arriving next week. Im looking at the Arkon mount which requires the front headrest to be a) the 2 'prong' style, and b) removable. Can someone confirm both these? Many thanks

Needsdecaf · 05-04-2011, 06:30 AM

100% no, not removable.

Whteverjklasdf · 05-04-2011, 06:33 AM

but, everything is removable. it's just matter of how far one is willing to go. lol.

pharding · 05-04-2011, 06:40 AM

Good question for your local dealer's service department.

Carbonschwartz · 05-04-2011, 07:58 AM

Thanks - that narrows it down for me.

5fix · 05-04-2011, 08:39 PM

I purchased BMW accessory seat belt holders for my wife's X5 since the seat belts have trashed the plastic trim next to the door when the buckle hits the trim when they retract. The holder attaches to the headrest and would appear to keep the belt from banging against the trim, but it requires the removal of the headrest to attach it. Anyway, the X5 has the same power headrests as my 5. I asked my service rep the last time I had the X5 in and he said they would have to take the seat back off to get the headrests off. I assume the same answer applies to the 5. I am sure it ain't cheap. So much for the BMW accessory seat belt holders!

ipso_facto · 05-05-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5fix

I purchased BMW accessory seat belt holders for my wife's X5 since the seat belts have trashed the plastic trim next to the door when the buckle hits the trim when they retract. The holder attaches to the headrest and would appear to keep the belt from banging against the trim, but it requires the removal of the headrest to attach it. Anyway, the X5 has the same power headrests as my 5. I asked my service rep the last time I had the X5 in and he said they would have to take the seat back off to get the headrests off. I assume the same answer applies to the 5. I am sure it ain't cheap. So much for the BMW accessory seat belt holders!

Probably cheaper to change the wife .... well, actually, it depends on the wife

1HOT BMR · 05-05-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbonschwartz

Just ordering an iPad headrest mount for the kids in preparation for my F11 arriving next week. Im looking at the Arkon mount which requires the front headrest to be a) the 2 'prong' style, and b) removable. Can someone confirm both these? Many thanks

I just took a quick look and it does not look complicated. You do have to remove the upper part of the seat back which is just a plastic cover attached by some clips - mine are comfort seats. Then I could see the chromed rods connected to the up/down electric mechanism by just a couple of circlips. It should be simple to remove.

If you find out how to remove the upper plastic cover without breaking the clips please let us know. Perhaps your SA at your dealership could show you how since it should be a 30 second operation after you know where to press/pull/push.

Is that Bentley Manual out yet? I'd like to buy one.

RobMMC · 07-07-2012, 03:48 PM

Here's what I did that worked:

1. I Visited Parts department and looked at the headrest and seat back components. Looked at the actual metal fastener that is used to snap seat back to seat. This showed that the seat back was held in with 4 fasteners. The upper 2 fasteners allow the seat to pop out (the detent on the clips needs to be relaxed by using a large screw driver inserted sideways into the clip area and then pressed toward the center of the seat.

2. I then talked to the service department. They wanted between $125-$400 to remove and re-install the headrests so I could install my sheepskin seat covers. I considered that absurd. He then warned about active headrest, and airbag issues and having to reset the SRS light, and implied liability if I screwed up. He did say that all air bag deployments are sent to a body shop and did have a recommendation.

3. I visited the recommended body shop. For gratis, a technician popped off the seat back, showed me the cir clips to remove, and the airbag connector. He cautioned me that if the ignition was turned on while the airbag was disconnected that the airbag SRS light will come on and you would need to have that reset, so don't turn on the ignition while the airbags are disconnected. The whole operation, with him teaching me as he went through it was less than 10 minutes for both seat backs.

If you have decent mechanical skills and pay attention to how things come apart, they will go back together quite nicely. It is because of this great engineering by BMW that I have done most of my own work on my BMWs starting with a Bavaria, 3 E23s, 1 E32, 1 E38, 1 E90 and now a F10. I absolutely hate the attitude of some service departments for BMW. That's a rant for a different time.

EkoBmw · 07-07-2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipso_facto

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5fix

I purchased BMW accessory seat belt holders for my wife's X5 since the seat belts have trashed the plastic trim next to the door when the buckle hits the trim when they retract. The holder attaches to the headrest and would appear to keep the belt from banging against the trim, but it requires the removal of the headrest to attach it. Anyway, the X5 has the same power headrests as my 5. I asked my service rep the last time I had the X5 in and he said they would have to take the seat back off to get the headrests off. I assume the same answer applies to the 5. I am sure it ain't cheap. So much for the BMW accessory seat belt holders!

Probably cheaper to change the wife .... well, actually, it depends on the wife

Lmaooooo

Touring · 07-07-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbonschwartz

Thanks - that narrows it down for me.

LOL

Ccrc2001 · 07-07-2012, 10:17 PM

Try BestBuy the have the iPad mount from RocketFish it's has a clamp that opens up no need to remove the headrest check out the link. http://www.rocketfishproducts.com/products/mobile-phones-gps/RF-CARMNT2.html
Or do a search for rocketfish iPad car mount

Ccrc2001 · 07-07-2012, 10:18 PM

Try BestBuy the have the iPad mount from RocketFish it's has a clamp that opens up no need to remove the headrest check out the link. http://www.rocketfishproducts.com/products/mobile-phones-gps/RF-CARMNT2.html
Or do a search for rocketfish iPad car mount

Needsdecaf · 07-08-2012, 06:49 AM

I love my Rocket Fish mount.

05-04-2011, 01:54 AM	#1
Carbonschwartz New Member 6 Rep 21 Posts Drives: F11 520d SE Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cheshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Are F10/F11 front headrests removable? Just ordering an iPad headrest mount for the kids in preparation for my F11 arriving next week. Im looking at the Arkon mount which requires the front headrest to be a) the 2 'prong' style, and b) removable. Can someone confirm both these? Many thanks
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05-04-2011, 06:30 AM	#2
Needsdecaf Major General 6589 Rep 6,691 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	100% no, not removable.
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05-04-2011, 06:33 AM	#3
Whteverjklasdf First Lieutenant 20 Rep 301 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . iTrader: (0)	but, everything is removable. it's just matter of how far one is willing to go. lol.
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05-04-2011, 06:40 AM	#4
pharding Major 308 Rep 1,128 Posts Drives: 23 Audi Q4 e-tron + 14 X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Good question for your local dealer's service department. __________________ 23 Audi Q4 e-tron; 23 i4 M50 on order 14 X3 Retired: 20 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD; 17 540i x; 14 550i Euro Del; 11 550i Euro Del; 08 550i Euro Del; 06 330i Euro Del; 04 545i Euro Del; 01 530i Euro Del
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05-04-2011, 07:58 AM	#5
Carbonschwartz New Member 6 Rep 21 Posts Drives: F11 520d SE Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cheshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks - that narrows it down for me.
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05-04-2011, 08:39 PM	#6
5fix Private First Class 61 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i; 2018 m550i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	I purchased BMW accessory seat belt holders for my wife's X5 since the seat belts have trashed the plastic trim next to the door when the buckle hits the trim when they retract. The holder attaches to the headrest and would appear to keep the belt from banging against the trim, but it requires the removal of the headrest to attach it. Anyway, the X5 has the same power headrests as my 5. I asked my service rep the last time I had the X5 in and he said they would have to take the seat back off to get the headrests off. I assume the same answer applies to the 5. I am sure it ain't cheap. So much for the BMW accessory seat belt holders!
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07-07-2012, 03:48 PM	#9
RobMMC Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2012 F10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles County iTrader: (0)	Removing Head Rests on F10 Here's what I did that worked: 1. I Visited Parts department and looked at the headrest and seat back components. Looked at the actual metal fastener that is used to snap seat back to seat. This showed that the seat back was held in with 4 fasteners. The upper 2 fasteners allow the seat to pop out (the detent on the clips needs to be relaxed by using a large screw driver inserted sideways into the clip area and then pressed toward the center of the seat. 2. I then talked to the service department. They wanted between $125-$400 to remove and re-install the headrests so I could install my sheepskin seat covers. I considered that absurd. He then warned about active headrest, and airbag issues and having to reset the SRS light, and implied liability if I screwed up. He did say that all air bag deployments are sent to a body shop and did have a recommendation. 3. I visited the recommended body shop. For gratis, a technician popped off the seat back, showed me the cir clips to remove, and the airbag connector. He cautioned me that if the ignition was turned on while the airbag was disconnected that the airbag SRS light will come on and you would need to have that reset, so don't turn on the ignition while the airbags are disconnected. The whole operation, with him teaching me as he went through it was less than 10 minutes for both seat backs. If you have decent mechanical skills and pay attention to how things come apart, they will go back together quite nicely. It is because of this great engineering by BMW that I have done most of my own work on my BMWs starting with a Bavaria, 3 E23s, 1 E32, 1 E38, 1 E90 and now a F10. I absolutely hate the attitude of some service departments for BMW. That's a rant for a different time.
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07-07-2012, 10:17 PM	#12
Ccrc2001 New Member 1 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 528i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Amesbury MA iTrader: (0)	Try BestBuy the have the iPad mount from RocketFish it's has a clamp that opens up no need to remove the headrest check out the link. http://www.rocketfishproducts.com/products/mobile-phones-gps/RF-CARMNT2.html Or do a search for rocketfish iPad car mount
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07-07-2012, 10:18 PM	#13
Ccrc2001 New Member 1 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 528i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Amesbury MA iTrader: (0)	Try BestBuy the have the iPad mount from RocketFish it's has a clamp that opens up no need to remove the headrest check out the link. http://www.rocketfishproducts.com/products/mobile-phones-gps/RF-CARMNT2.html Or do a search for rocketfish iPad car mount
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07-08-2012, 06:49 AM	#14
Needsdecaf Major General 6589 Rep 6,691 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	I love my Rocket Fish mount.
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