I thought I'd share a recent discovery of mine...

While conditioning the rear leather seats on my '01 750iL with Lexol, I tried to raise / adjust the rear headrests and they wouldn't move... the other power controls worked fine (lumbar, backrest adjust, etc.) but the head rest wouldn't go up or down. Since I just purchased the car used, I simply thought it was broken. Oh well, one of those things I might eventually get around to fixing.

However, after having a passenger in the back for the first time, I was surprised to discover that they do indeed work; the car just needs to be running. Also, they have a "memory"... adjust the head rest to the desired position, plug in the rear seat belt, then unplug the seat belt and the head rest lowers itself all the way. Plug the seat belt back in and the head rest returns to the previously set position.

Pretty neat.

very nifty, I also remember reading about this feature in page 56 of the '01 owner's manual.

very nifty, I also remember reading about this feature in page 56 of the '01 owner's manual.

:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :worship:

Another great example in that going back to re-read or reference the owners manual (for the 1st time for many) may answer or clarify many of the little things about our cars that we don't understand.. and may find something about the car that you didn't even know existed. :)

Uh, I don't see this described on page 56 of the (.pdf) owners manual... I did browse through it when I originally thought they weren't working. Are you looking at the paper or online (.pdf) version?

Uh, I don't see this described on page 56 of the (.pdf) owners manual... I did browse through it when I originally thought they weren't working. Are you looking at the paper or online (.pdf) version?


IIRC, the pdf version of the 2001 manual I referenced (found in e38.org) is the exact copy of the hardcopy that comes with our cars. I wish I could have afforded a 750, those cars are loaded to the gills.

Hmmm... I just download and still can't find any references to this feature... oh well. I think there are probably lots of little features not documented (such as the mirrors tilting downward when in reverse)... glad we have these forums to share.

Hmmm... I just download and still can't find any references to this feature... oh well. I think there are probably lots of little features not documented (such as the mirrors tilting downward when in reverse)... glad we have these forums to share.
Please don't take ANY of the posts in this thread as a personal attack...I can assure you...none of them were. I see you only have 13 posts...but as time goes along (and if you find yourself here reading the many threads)...you'll come to know the many personalities here and the field of reference those personalities are known for.

My 1st reply was not so much a reflection on you...but more toward an inside joke about me that I'm sure kromdom got immediately. That's why the "rolling on the floor laughing out loud" emoticons were used. :)

There is a reference in the PDF owners manual about the rear electric headrest...but its not as descriptive as what you gave...but there is an indication that a passenger needs to be in the rear seat. And you can see the paragraph about the tilting sideview mirror. I know that my "paper" owners manual explains some things that is not in the PDF manual...and sometimes it may explain it differently. :)

If you are feeling somewhat defensive, don't...I hope this posts brings some clarity. We were laughing more at ourselves than at you...the irony is that there is a lot of info in the owners manual that can "unlock" some mysteries...but you weren't being flamed or beat up. :)

Hee hee... no worries... it's all good. I was just wondering if I had the right .pdf file. I just now found the sections you referenced above, on pages 51 and 54 of the manual... the pictures you posted helped me find it.

Thanks!

Just another indication of some damn fine (German) engineering.
God I love my 7 ;)
(is it ok to say God? should I have said Omnipotent Diety of my choice instead)?

sanjoses2k
Firstly, I apologize...realized I made a mistake in pointing to p. 56 (maybe why you could no find what Q above posted which is on page 51.) And let me assure you as Q pointed out, we are all good peeps here.

And we are so lucky to have Qsilver7 around who I am convinced has a chip embedded in his brain with the owner's manual loaded in it. Was gonna PM you Q about your post but I had to drive wife and kids for x-mas shopping. Confession time: I just found out (by accident) that my car has power folding mirrors :silly

Confession time: I just found out (by accident) that my car has power folding mirrors :silly

wow...that's one of those...better late than never finds! :alright

No question BMW has awesome engineering, but their tech writing / marketing departments could improve...