Backseat removal question

thorny · 12-09-2012, 10:22 PM

I am trying to remove the backseat in preparation for the track day. I removed the bottom cushions, now in order to remove the backrest I need to remove the side cushions (pictured). I can't figure out how to get them out. COuld you guys help me out?
Thanks

kaiv · 12-09-2012, 11:24 PM

Pull/yank from the top.

tom @ eas · 12-09-2012, 11:26 PM

^^ pretty much. Grip just under the black cap and try to reach your fingers around the backside before pulling. Afterwards, it should simply lift out of place.

thorny · 12-10-2012, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

^^ pretty much. Grip just under the black cap and try to reach your fingers around the backside before pulling. Afterwards, it should simply lift out of place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiv

Pull/yank from the top.

Thanks guys. I'll give it a try!

Tom, if it doesn't rain, I'll show up on the 16th.

thorny · 12-10-2012, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

^^ pretty much. Grip just under the black cap and try to reach your fingers around the backside before pulling. Afterwards, it should simply lift out of place.

OK, I got through this part, the trick was to pull down as well. I unscrewed two star bolts on the left and the right, but what's the trick to undo the middle attachment (pictured)?

thorny · 12-10-2012, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiv

Pull/yank from the top.

kaiv, could you help me with the above ^^, this is the last hurdle =)

Richard@M-World · 12-10-2012, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorny

OK, I got through this part, the trick was to pull down as well. I unscrewed two star bolts on the left and the right, but what's the trick to undo the middle attachment (pictured)?

You will have to keep the rear seat backs at a 45 degree angle or so from horizontal to have access to the two bolts holding the middle hinge. It's a PITA.

Richard@M-World · 12-10-2012, 02:19 AM

Here's a picture showing the position of the screws.

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kaiv · 12-10-2012, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorny

kaiv, could you help me with the above ^^, this is the last hurdle =)

Basically at this point you just have to work the seat backs out and away from each other. Have them folded down and pull one side away from the other and toward the front.

One of the seat backs has a stud and the other a receiving hole. Not completely dissimilar to the shift lever and the knob to give you an idea. You have to use a bit of force to separate them.

That bracket that Richard mentioned I never removed to get the seats out.

Richard@M-World · 12-10-2012, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiv

Basically at this point you just have to work the seat backs out and away from each other. Have them folded down and pull one side away from the other and toward the front.

One of the seat backs has a stud and the other a receiving hole. Not completely dissimilar to the shift lever and the knob to give you an idea. You have to use a bit of force to separate them.

That bracket that Richard mentioned I never removed to get the seats out.

I tried your method on my car but it didn't work for some reason. Hopefully it will work for the OP. Much easier than removing the bracket.

m3an · 12-10-2012, 10:07 AM

Very easy. Fold one seat slightly forward and pop it out. If you look at it you'll see one seat has a peg that goes into a hole on the other which allows it to fold and move. Just give it some force and it'll pop out

zsapphire7 · 12-10-2012, 03:06 PM

i had to remove the two bolts that richard was talking about. Real PITA. Try using small 1/4 rackets and torx sockets to get it in there.

thorny · 12-10-2012, 04:32 PM

Thanks guys for all the advice. In fact before posting here I got one of those bolts out, it was a royal pita. I'll try the separation method as I am not really looking forward to removing the second bolt... I'll report back

thorny · 12-11-2012, 12:00 AM

OK. Not that I enjoyed the process, but it is way easier when you actually know what you 're doing. It actually pulls right off, it's just this damn "bolt" is way too long (see the pic)

I just want to see for myself how much weight reduction helps and how much it can screw up the balance if it does affect it. With the recent install of a 36 lb battery at EAS, I shed over 150 lbs I think! The car feel alive

kaiv · 12-11-2012, 08:14 PM

Also I wanna say that less weight on the rear axle will probably mean more dorifto

4sevens.com · 12-11-2012, 10:47 PM

If I recall the rear seats added up to about 80-85lbs

thorny · 12-12-2012, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4sevens.com

If I recall the rear seats added up to about 80-85lbs

OK, I weighed some parts on my home scale and ran some numbers. My car right now is 230 lbs lighter than stock. In addition to destroying the trim, I am running 35 lb MINI battery, full Akra Evo exhaust and 18" TE37SL.

I dynoed the car last week at EAS and it did 398 WHP! (Evolve tune, MS pulleys and MS Stage 2 Intake in addition to Akra).

After all this the car feels

video of the dyno run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=vRdIwoU4LHU

thorny · 12-12-2012, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiv

Also I wanna say that less weight on the rear axle will probably mean more dorifto

dude, I drained windshield washer fluid

kaiv · 12-12-2012, 01:25 AM

ahah!

Curious; 398whp SAE or STD?

thorny · 12-12-2012, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiv

ahah!

Curious; 398whp SAE or STD?

STD

kaiv · 12-12-2012, 01:35 AM

Gotcha!

BTW, a few of us will be at buttonwillow on the 22nd ^^

OC3 · 12-12-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorny

dude, I drained windshield washer fluid

lulz

12-09-2012, 10:22 PM	#1
thorny Lieutenant Drives: 2007 X5 E70, 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 539 iTrader: (4)	Backseat removal question I am trying to remove the backseat in preparation for the track day. I removed the bottom cushions, now in order to remove the backrest I need to remove the side cushions (pictured). I can't figure out how to get them out. COuld you guys help me out? Thanks Attached Images
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12-09-2012, 11:26 PM	#3
tom @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 8,858 iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 ESS VT2-525 Z4MC [0.00] 2011 ESS VT2-625 M3 [0.00]	^^ pretty much. Grip just under the black cap and try to reach your fingers around the backside before pulling. Afterwards, it should simply lift out of place. __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com web: www.europeanautosource.com tel 866.669.0705 \| ca: 714.369.8524 x22 \| fax: 714.908.1796 Blog \| Facebook \| YouTube \| Flickr \| Twitter

12-10-2012, 02:19 AM	#8
Richard@M-World BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: NASA TTA #92 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: TX/IL Posts: 621 iTrader: (0)	Here's a picture showing the position of the screws. __________________ Authorized AiM Dealer & Data Specialist - AiM Solo \| AiM Solo DL \| AiM SmartyCam HD Authorized Pagid Brake Pads Dealer - RS19 \| RS29 \| RS14 for M3/1M OEM Calipers, StopTech, AP Racing, Alcon & Brembo w: www.m-world.us e: info@m-world.us t: 832-408-1234

12-11-2012, 12:00 AM	#14
thorny Lieutenant Drives: 2007 X5 E70, 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 539 iTrader: (4)	OK. Not that I enjoyed the process, but it is way easier when you actually know what you 're doing. It actually pulls right off, it's just this damn "bolt" is way too long (see the pic) I just want to see for myself how much weight reduction helps and how much it can screw up the balance if it does affect it. With the recent install of a 36 lb battery at EAS, I shed over 150 lbs I think! The car feel alive Attached Images

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12-09-2012, 11:24 PM	#2
kaiv Major Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,117 iTrader: (12)	Pull/yank from the top.

12-10-2012, 10:07 AM	#11
m3an Banned Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,612 iTrader: (2)	Very easy. Fold one seat slightly forward and pop it out. If you look at it you'll see one seat has a peg that goes into a hole on the other which allows it to fold and move. Just give it some force and it'll pop out

12-10-2012, 03:06 PM	#12
zsapphire7 Colonel Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TX Posts: 2,251 iTrader: (21)	i had to remove the two bolts that richard was talking about. Real PITA. Try using small 1/4 rackets and torx sockets to get it in there.

12-10-2012, 04:32 PM	#13
thorny Lieutenant Drives: 2007 X5 E70, 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 539 iTrader: (4)	Thanks guys for all the advice. In fact before posting here I got one of those bolts out, it was a royal pita. I'll try the separation method as I am not really looking forward to removing the second bolt... I'll report back

12-11-2012, 08:14 PM	#15
kaiv Major Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,117 iTrader: (12)	Also I wanna say that less weight on the rear axle will probably mean more dorifto

12-11-2012, 10:47 PM	#16
4sevens.com Major Drives: '11 LMB e90 M3; '99 LS6 Miata Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,476 iTrader: (3)	If I recall the rear seats added up to about 80-85lbs

12-12-2012, 01:25 AM	#19
kaiv Major Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,117 iTrader: (12)	ahah! Curious; 398whp SAE or STD?

12-12-2012, 01:35 AM	#21
kaiv Major Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,117 iTrader: (12)	Gotcha! BTW, a few of us will be at buttonwillow on the 22nd ^^