...with minor modification.
US-spec E34 Tourings did not come with rear headrests, but I discovered mounting holes for them hidden inside the rear seats. The posts on front headrests (which are the same between Tourings and sedans) and Touring rears (but not sedan rears) are the same size, same distance apart, and similar distance from the occupant's head.
Front headrest posts are longer and have different notches cut into them. This means they won't adjust up/down, only tilt, though the stock Touring rears don't adjust at all. They also won't lock into place; my experience is that they can fall out with the seatback down, but are otherwise plenty secure. Without cutting the posts, the inner one hits bottom before the outer, so the whole headrest leans to one side. My solution was to trim ~7cm from the inner with a cutting wheel. I then cut circular holes in the leather - not slits, which are stress risers that tend to split over time - and for a clean appearance, installed the two-piece plastic trim rings that surround the posts. Et voila!
They're larger than the factory Touring rears, and in my opinion are more comfortable due to their shape, softer padding, and tiltability. They do reduce rear visibility, but it remains acceptable if you're used to relying on your rearview mirror; it's still better than in most new cars. Here are two updated photos:
All Touring rear seats have the same part number (apart from different colors/materials). They all have these mounting sleeves hidden under the upholstery. So if you have a Touring and care about the safety and comfort of your rear passengers (besides, it looks better), go get some front headrests and fix one of BMW's more glaring omissions on a $40k+ car.
Below are photos of the initial proof-of-concept installation, nothing modified.
Last edited by moroza; 01-09-2019 at 09:23 PM.
Pretty awesome The headrests in my sedan are looking pretty tempting.
Nice!!! Can't wait for a pic
HELL YEAH !!!!
PICS PLEASE!!! I am going shopping for Elaine again in another week and can pick up some head rests. If anyone else needs a set, please let me know and I will be happy to pick more up.
Bump for more Touring owners.
Rick, care to link this in the FAQ?
I would like to see some pics of this man
So, what about modding a pair of rear headrests to use the front posts?
Damn I'm cheap. But until I buy DW a convertible and reclaim the touring this is about as far as I can mod the wagon!
No current BMWs.
1994 Roadmaster Wagon
1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina
Nice...I LOL'd @ the "PSA" in the title.
Because I was hoping to replicate the stock look, without paying $$$ to buy a set of Touring specific headrests. And I don't want o reduce my rear visibility for something that will get used 4 times per year max.
I'm also not sure having the larger headrests will interfere the with ability to put the seats down, which I do regularly.
Plus it's a challenge! Not that I REALLY need anymore of those.
No current BMWs.
1994 Roadmaster Wagon
1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina
Bump for pics.
Also: E39 front headrests fit. E39 sedan rear headrests do not fit - posts too narrow and too far back, so it protrudes forward too much. Also, they are apparently not quite snug with unmodified front posts - there's some catch that needs to be in the posts (or cut one shorter).
Hey man! Thanks for the pics. Is there anyway to make them sink in more? I also assume you will be actually cutting holes in the leather eventually. I would guess you can also use the same plastic hole covers as used in the front head rests.
To lower the headrests on the rear, would be need to cut the posts?
How did you get the plastic over off of the mesh screen?
You have to cut them. The only other required hardware should be the plastic surrounds, which I'm guessing are compatible with the fronts. I'm not aware of any other sleeves that need to be popped in.
The E32 ones will not work. There are two styles - electrical ones have a loop of metal with a bracket attached to it, and would need to be heavily modified; manual ones are blade-style like E34 sedan rears, and obviously won't work either.
To remove the cargo mesh housing, you need to slide it out - lower the seatbacks, remove the seatback latch plastic surround and maybe a couple of other trim pieces, and push them side to side. Eventually they'll pop out; you should be able to see the inside of their mounting points in the pics above.
Thanks I will just have to start tearing into the seat.
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