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Thread: E38 Headrest retrofit

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    E38 Headrest retrofit

    In my brief time driving an E38, I thought that the headrests were quite a bit more comfortable than the E34's. This may already be common knowledge, but E38 headrests drop right into the E34 headrest holes.

    To remove headrests: Pull up.
    To install headrests: Push down until you feel the click.
    '95 525i Schwarz/Schwarz 5-speed - Bilsteins - winter package - keyless - 210K miles - Cross Country Survivor

    '95 740i Ascotgrun/Parchment - 16" Style 61's - Needs an extra pedal - 124K miles

  2. #2
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    There is a solution to the concrete headrests! Thanks

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by sbeckman7 View Post
    There is a solution to the concrete headrests! Thanks
    Night and day difference...

    Also, I think that E39 headrests are the same as E38 headrests. Can anyone confirm this?
    '95 525i Schwarz/Schwarz 5-speed - Bilsteins - winter package - keyless - 210K miles - Cross Country Survivor

    '95 740i Ascotgrun/Parchment - 16" Style 61's - Needs an extra pedal - 124K miles

  4. #4
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    any pic of it?

    good idea though..

  5. #5
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    I still need to figure out why I can't find any E32 headrest brackets that would work for me. All the ones at my local junk yard have a one piece plastic seatbelt fitting, when I need two separate plastic guides(covers) for the holes I'll need to make in my back seat.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trasportador View Post
    I still need to figure out why I can't find any E32 headrest brackets that would work for me. All the ones at my local junk yard have a one piece plastic seatbelt fitting, when I need two separate plastic guides(covers) for the holes I'll need to make in my back seat.
    No idea. I did not mess with the back or brackets or anything. Just the fronts.

    And I can get a pic tonight - although sandbeige might look a little funny with a black E34 interior
    '95 525i Schwarz/Schwarz 5-speed - Bilsteins - winter package - keyless - 210K miles - Cross Country Survivor

    '95 740i Ascotgrun/Parchment - 16" Style 61's - Needs an extra pedal - 124K miles

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by jfj707 View Post
    No idea. I did not mess with the back or brackets or anything. Just the fronts.

    And I can get a pic tonight - although sandbeige might look a little funny with a black E34 interior
    No way man, just tell 'em you recieved the special two tone interior package. 1/1, uber rare.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trasportador View Post
    No way man, just tell 'em you recieved the special two tone interior package. 1/1, uber rare.
    Complete with headrests from the future
    '95 525i Schwarz/Schwarz 5-speed - Bilsteins - winter package - keyless - 210K miles - Cross Country Survivor

    '95 740i Ascotgrun/Parchment - 16" Style 61's - Needs an extra pedal - 124K miles

  9. #9
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    Good to know... Maybe if I ever get around to fixing the power adjustment cable on the ones I DO have I will swap them out..

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Speaking of headrests... Has any of our Touring guys installed any in theirs?
    1999 BMW R1100RT
    2005 MC C230K Sport
    2007 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z71
    2010 Chevy Tahoe LT2

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    1989 BMW 535i/5spd Swao
    The standard E38 and E39 Headrests fit in the E34/E32 Seats. If your talking about the comfort seat headrests from an E38/9, the bars are thicker and wont fir in the holes, unless you swap the bracket. but because the bracket is designed for the thicker bar, you'll need to add something to make it snug. heres what the comfort headrests look like in an E32. don't mind the color mismatch


  12. #12
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by TexFinn View Post
    Speaking of headrests... Has any of our Touring guys installed any in theirs?
    Doing the math. If front e32/e34 headrests can be used as rear touring headrests and e38/e39 headrests can be be used on the front e34 seats. . .

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    hi guys, i just so happen to have a e34 and e38 in my stable to test this out. the e34 is a 95 540i6 with sport seats. the e38 is a 01 740i sport with sport seats.


    left e38 right e34. e38 poles are longer than e34


    left e38 right e34. the pole is much thicker on the e38


    left e34 right e38. the poles are the same distance apart


    left e34 front right e38 rear. e38 rear poles are a bit shorter than e34 fronts


    left e34 front right e38 rear. poles are same distance apart and same thickness.


    this is the rear e38 headrest installed on a e34 sport seat. it fits but the height is already at full extension. it would not be a useful swap if you are a tall person.

    to add to the confusion, e65/e66 head rests fit e38. check out this post.
    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ight=head+rest

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by TexFinn View Post
    Speaking of headrests... Has any of our Touring guys installed any in theirs?
    Yep. I used E34 front's. Had to trim about 6" from the shaft.


  15. #15
    Join Date
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    1989 BMW 535i/5spd Swao
    so what do you guys think of the E38/9 comfort headrests on E32/4 seats?

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