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Thread: Back seat conversion to Fold down.

  1. #1
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    Back seat conversion to Fold down.

    Whose done it? I found some seats today and figured i would give it a shot. Im still not sure about all the brackets i need...




    Def need #11 and #12

    13,14,15? not sure where these are/purpose

    #2,3,24,16,5,10,17,19 all seem to be integral parts of the seat backs..

    #1?
    #6?

    any one have pictures of the folding seats in the down position? or have done this conversion?

    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  2. #2
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    Not sure what you need from the diagram, but get out your arc welder as some of those pieces are part of the car frame - not just a simple bolt-on conversion.

    I found that the seats stay in place just fine w/o anything extra unless I slam on the brakes really hard - then they just fold down. Not a huge deal IMHO...

  3. #3
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    97 840c & 540I6 90 535im
    13-14-15 are the pieces that comprize the leather pulled down handle. yours is already on the seats.
    97 840ci-99 540i6-90 535i5 all black

  4. #4
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    Please let me know how this goes...its one of the future projects I wanted to do to my 91

  5. #5
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    Just curious, why do you want to do this mod? I have fold down rear seats but never use them in that position. Unless, of course you need a place to sleep as some of the members here have had the pleasure of doing.

  6. #6
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    I put mine in because the seats just look better - better quality leather, etc. Nothing to do with "practicality" - wrong car for that!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Major Cheese
    Just curious, why do you want to do this mod? I have fold down rear seats but never use them in that position. Unless, of course you need a place to sleep as some of the members here have had the pleasure of doing.
    I agree. The folding seats are pretty useless without any sort of pass-through to the trunk...

  8. #8
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    i got the seats as part of a trade for a few other things i had laying around... so why not

    i agree they do look better, my end goal is to convert the entire interior to the soft 'wrinkled' leather... so these are the first step

    i can handle welding...
    Last edited by legoman67; 06-23-2012 at 11:13 AM.
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Major Cheese View Post
    Just curious, why do you want to do this mod? I have fold down rear seats but never use them in that position. Unless, of course you need a place to sleep as some of the members here have had the pleasure of doing.
    I try and drive my car any chance I get, sometimes I do have to carry larger items so there is a use. I am not saying that I am going to use it for hauling 2x4's or other building materials (that't the winter beaters job) its just an nice option to have.

    I do plan on driving the car out west one of these days, to try and attend some of those amazing events they always seem to have, so a sleeping spot may be needed.

  10. #10
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    I think the fold down seats are a great idea.

    It gives 2 storage spaces within the wings of the seats and backs to keep stuff out-of-sight and also gives 2 flat areas for storage on the top.

    They are of more use more often in the folded position than they are as seats.

    Carrying stuff on the back seats in the up position just causes dents and marks on the leather that takes forever to try and massage out.

    When I toured the East Coast of the US in the CSi, we stored all the "hand luggage" items in the car, such as camera, passports and money and anything we wanted to hand without stopping in the folded seats and the general luggage in the boot. It worked very well for us. It even gave us a flat storage area for the portable 12V coolbox using the rear cigar lighter as power rather than cramp the foot areas in the front.

    8Tech.

  11. #11
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    When I drive with the rear seats down the leather on leather squeaks annoyingly.
    97 840ci-99 540i6-90 535i5 all black

  12. #12
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    91 850 Panzer
    Aerospace 303 will stop the annoying squeaks... 8-)
    Why I have fold down rear seats in my 91- my co-pilot can see out!
    91 850 (Panzer), 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman (WifeMobile) www.wuffer.ca


  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by 8Tech View Post
    ...It even gave us a flat storage area for the portable 12V coolbox using the rear cigar lighter as power...
    Not a bad "cup" holder idea...

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by 8Tech View Post
    I think the fold down seats are a great idea.

    It gives 2 storage spaces within the wings of the seats and backs to keep stuff out-of-sight and also gives 2 flat areas for storage on the top.

    They are of more use more often in the folded position than they are as seats.

    Carrying stuff on the back seats in the up position just causes dents and marks on the leather that takes forever to try and massage out.

    When I toured the East Coast of the US in the CSi, we stored all the "hand luggage" items in the car, such as camera, passports and money and anything we wanted to hand without stopping in the folded seats and the general luggage in the boot. It worked very well for us. It even gave us a flat storage area for the portable 12V coolbox using the rear cigar lighter as power rather than cramp the foot areas in the front.

    8Tech.
    I'm assuming you were able to use some one else's CSi? I don't think you were able to ship yours just for a vacation right?

    And what rear cigar lighter are you talking about??
    CB42366 - 1991 850i 6-speed. Brilliantrot & Black Nappa Leather
    CD00144 - 1994 850CSi. Hellrot & Black Nappa Leather


    My other projects:
    Supercharged Tbirds, V8 Tbirds, V8 Mustang Convertible, Audi V8 Quattro & Audi S8

  15. #15
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    And what rear cigar lighter are you talking about??
    i was wondering the same... haha

    I test fitted the seats this evening after work, they fit pretty good without doing anything, but the backs seem to flop down pretty easily, and move around a bit when down... Also, whats behind the backs on cars with fold downs? im assuming it must be carpeted or something on the trunk wall?
    Last edited by legoman67; 06-24-2012 at 01:34 AM.
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  16. #16
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    No need to sleep IN your car.




  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hyper View Post
    No need to sleep IN your car.



    do you or anyone else have a picture of the upper latch pin on the trunk wall that the seat locks into?

    Also, that carpeting looks more like panels then simply carpeted wall... hmm
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  18. #18
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    Strap operates latch.

  19. #19
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    Thanks! thats exactly what i needed!
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  20. #20
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    Legoman

    I have all the parts to be welded in...
    to register your 8 @ www.8coupe.com!

    Best regards from good old Germany Harry!

  21. #21
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    I miss my E31!!!!!!!!!!
    Quote Originally Posted by CaifanSC View Post
    I'm assuming you were able to use some one else's CSi? I don't think you were able to ship yours just for a vacation right?

    And what rear cigar lighter are you talking about??
    Nope! He shipped his CSi to US and did a long drive. He spent a night at my house and we had a E31 BBQ party in my back yard before going out to a spirited fall drive on Skyline drive. It was a great time and not to mention the entire E31 caravan got pulled over by the Park Rangers.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ahmed303 View Post
    Nope! He shipped his CSi to US and did a long drive. He spent a night at my house and we had a E31 BBQ party in my back yard before going out to a spirited fall drive on Skyline drive. It was a great time and not to mention the entire E31 caravan got pulled over by the Park Rangers.


    I didn't knwo that was possible! Man, sounds like it was a blast...when was this Faisal?
    CB42366 - 1991 850i 6-speed. Brilliantrot & Black Nappa Leather
    CD00144 - 1994 850CSi. Hellrot & Black Nappa Leather


    My other projects:
    Supercharged Tbirds, V8 Tbirds, V8 Mustang Convertible, Audi V8 Quattro & Audi S8

  23. #23
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    I miss my E31!!!!!!!!!!
    It was a blast with lots of great stories. It was back in summer of 2004 when I still had my 4 short. LOL.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ahmed303 View Post
    ... It was back in summer of 2004 when I still had my 4 short. LOL.
    To remain "politically correct" we are now refering to that as: not having the +4 Option...


    (...too many 4-shorters were complaining).
    '93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic

    2001 740iL - Titansilber
    ALPINA B7 -Alpinweiß III


    ...the price of cool ain't cheap!

  25. #25
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    I miss my E31!!!!!!!!!!
    Quote Originally Posted by TxGR8White View Post
    To remain "politically correct" we are now refering to that as: not having the +4 Option...


    (...too many 4-shorters were complaining).
    I like that.

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