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Subject: Seat install info...plus a COOL new trick that was included with this mod! Author: 04sshd : member since March, 2007 : 5363 posts Posted on: 2008-03-01 02:23:04

Ok, first off for anyone that plans to do this mod and has a pre 99 e38. The seat connectors are NOT the same between the 95-98 and the 99-01 cars. Below you will see pictures of the difference in the two connectors. Now I cut the connectors off my old seats and new seats and spliced in the old connectors onto the new seats. It did work! Now there is an additional trick that you get when you swap a newer style seat into your early e38. And that is.... AUTO TILT STEERING COLUMN!!! Just like in the later E38's the steering wheel will auto tilt up for easy exit when you take the key out, and when you put it in the column will auto tilt down to your predetermined height that you set it at. There must be a module in the drivers seat that adds this feature when you retrofit the newer seat into the older cars. So with that said here are the install pics and the finished product.

Install pics-

Rear seats going in


rear seat complete


rear seat piping


front pass seat installed


750 seat back trim installed


different seat connectors early e38 connector in black, later e38 connector in yellow


wires colors are almost identical so maybe try splicing the old connector on the new seat?!?




only 1 way to find out if it will work...start splicing...


End result was a success, and the seats are fully functional!








Almost looks factory! Hard to believe this is all in a 1995 740iL


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtv9f1vvjQ0

Hover over an image to enlarge thumbnail...

Colin@HID Solutions Moorpark, CA
99 E38 740iL Silver on Grey leather, 18" Style 94 wheels, lighted handles, self leveling xenons, Nav Retro fit, MK3 16:9 Widescreen.
95 E38 740iL Oxford Metallic Green on Black leather, Fresh Paint, 01 Face lift, M-Sport Steering wheel, Alpina front spoiler air damn, Alpina Softline 20" rims 20x9 front 20x10 rear, 6000k HID's, 8000k HID Fogs, Neon/LED tails, quad brake light mod, 20% tint all around, PIAA Yellow Hi-beams, 01 Headlights, 750 grills, HR Drop Springs, Monroe Struts, Strong Strut, CCFL Angel eyes, 4 pos euro foglight switch, euro front plate base, euro Germany front plate from Edwin, 16:9 Widescreen Navigation, MK4, BM43, home made stereo iPod integration, gauge rings, CF cluster bezel, steel sunroof to glass retrofit 750iL Door panels, 750iL B-Pillar panels, 750il Wood interior lights, 750iL wood trim full leather front seats, BMWNA goodwill cluster, trunk spoiler.
86 E30 325es coupe, black on black, 5 speed manual, M Shift knob, M-tech steering wheel, Sport seats(SOLD)
02 Harley Davidson custom build chopper, S&S Super 100ci, rev-tec 6 speed trans, Corbin seat, billet wheels, streached tank and frame
00 Cadillac DeVille, OnStar, HID's, Chrome Vouge rims
99 Ford Ranger XLT, V6, 5 speed
87 Pontiac TransAm, Tuned Port Injected 305, Auto, B&M Shifter, 99 TransAm Leather seats.
03 Honda CBR 600RR, Yoshi pipe, fender eliminator kit, 6000k HID kit, 3800 miles
03 Honda XR50, Yamaha plastics and sticker kit, big bore 88cc kit
00 Kawasaki KX500 2 stroke, WER steering dampener, FMF pipe, acerbis lever gards, protaper bars, desert tank
02 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (SOLD)
99 Yamaha R1, full show bike(SOLD)
91 E32 735iL (SOLD)
96 Ford F-250 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel (SOLD)
97 Camaro Z-28, LT1 V8, T56 6 Speed manual (SOLD)
95 Cadillac DeVille Concorus (SOLD)
69 Chevelle 300 Deluxe (SOLD)
69 Lincoln Continental Mark III (SOLD)
97 Lincoln Mark VIII (SOLD)
96 Chevrollet Impala SS (SOLD)

• Teaser...Guess what I got today!!!!!! (pic) - 04sshd 2008-02-29 23:59:42 (510 views)
  • Out of curiosity what did you pay for the seats? (nt) - Stu 2008-03-01 21:08:31 (145 views)
    • Front and rear... - 04sshd 2008-03-01 21:12:47 (149 views)
      • oh dear. i'm calling the police. A theft has occured. - Stu 2008-03-01 21:23:40 (129 views)
        • When I got there they first wanted $1500 - 04sshd 2008-03-01 21:32:32 (149 views)
  • My goodness, what's next. Those seats are awesome. (nt) - first .......rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-03-01 18:10:07 (118 views)
  • Looking goooood - eismark 2008-03-01 04:26:57 (113 views)
  • Seat install info...plus a COOL new trick that was included with this mod! (pic) (vid) (url) - 04sshd 2008-03-01 02:23:04 (4910 views)
    • Sweet! I didn't realize you could put the wooden trim on the sport seats!!! (nt) - visionbmw7 2008-03-01 19:51:22 (135 views)
    • Nice tip. This is going on e38.org (nt) - DavidC 2008-03-01 14:56:09 (123 views)
    • If you ever sell that thing, the buyer would have to check the VIN to see... - sdmikeV20 2008-03-01 12:01:08 (92 views)
      • FS- 2001 er...uh...1995 e38 740iL - 04sshd 2008-03-01 12:17:10 (149 views)
    • The convenience exit feature is contained in the driver's seat switch... - Q 2008-03-01 09:31:35 (198 views)
    • Man Im jealous. Good info about the seat spllicing too, I hope to use it one day - Ed 2008-03-01 07:05:08 (138 views)
      • I had no idea about that - 04sshd 2008-03-01 11:48:49 (116 views)
  • hey man, next time you're at the yard, see if you can find a PDC module (nt) - sdmike 2008-03-01 00:57:19 (116 views)
    • Mike, do u know if any year will work with the 2 types of sensors? (nt) - visionbmw7 2008-03-01 01:04:50 (130 views)
      • I really have no idea, cliff. This whole PDC is new to me (nt) - sdmike 2008-03-01 01:30:25 (119 views)
  • Does this guy stop! I bet you know my question next time I get on AIM. $ lol (nt) - Ed 2008-03-01 00:40:54 (120 views)
  • HID Kits? lol...... (nt) - Magnum 2008-03-01 00:07:49 (124 views)
    • Where do u think he's getting the $$ for all his mods? LOL!!!! (nt) - visionbmw7 2008-03-01 00:50:01 (122 views)
      • I know you are joking, but I wouldn't do that. - 04sshd 2008-03-01 00:59:57 (128 views)
        • I know. But I know where u live. ROTFLMAO. Alpinas.....Hmmm... (nt) - visionbmw7 2008-03-01 01:03:39 (121 views)
          • Crap, when I get my wheels back my car is staying in the garage LOL (nt) - 04sshd 2008-03-01 01:12:31 (132 views)
            • hmmMMmmm...they'd look good on the 750 (nt) - sdmike 2008-03-01 01:31:08 (128 views)
      • That or Ugg, right............ha-ha-ha... (nt) - Magnum 2008-03-01 00:56:14 (129 views)
    • I will have an update Monday, I do have some kits on the way. (nt) - 04sshd 2008-03-01 00:09:30 (132 views)
      • OK, I'm holding you to that. I've personally nominated myself ''the pest'' - Magnum 2008-03-01 00:15:12 (90 views)