I'm trying to find out how to release the "non folding" rear seat back in my wife's E46, but can't see anything to undo. (The E60 has two catches at the top which you can release when you've undone the torx bolts at the base of the seat, but I can't find anything like that in the E46).

In a desperate cry for help, do any of you E60 owners out there have an E46 with fixed rear seats and know how to get the rear backrest part out?

It's a 2003 model 318i ES and I want to run a cable through from the passenger compartment to the boot, and thought that if I could get the rear seat back out, I could route the cable through alongside the wiring loom.

Anyone heeeeelp?

 

Kev,
did you also stick it on bmwland ?

Might get quick help there.

I only know the disassembly of the E39, E46 I had was a touring.

Sorry can't be of anymore help.

 

Did you try removing the seat bottom first? There are no specific instructions in TIS for removing the seat back on the "normal" (non-folding) rear seats. The instructions for removing the seat bottom are identical between the normal and the folding seats and I'm thinking that once you take out the bottom, you'll see some fasteners to assist you in removing the backrest.

Here's the instructions for removing the seat bottom on an E46 (for both normal and folding seats):
replacing_rear_seat__through_loading_system_.pdf

Let me know if that helps...

 

Thanks Rudy.

I got the seat base out with no problem, but can't see anything at the base of the seat back which is holding it in other than what seems to be a metal hoop that is behind a bracket in the centre (and the two "springy clips" on the sides like the E60 has).

This leads me to think that the top should release somehow, so that the seatback can be slid forward and upwards to release it from the retaining brackets at the bottom.


I'll have a look again later if I get time and maybe take some photos so people can see what I mean.

 

Thanks - will try registering on bmwland or one of the E46 sites so that I can search the forums, if I don't manage to figure it out soon.

 

Just a quick update to say that after a bit more head scratching and searching for bolts to undo, I finally figured it out.

To remove the rear seat back on the E46, it's basically the same procedure as removing the seat base.

i.e. Grab it at the top and yank it forward to release it from the "spring clips", then roll it forwards and upwards to release it from the lower brackets.

No bolts, screws or clever release catches to contend with, just brute force and ignorance are required!

 

Glad you figured it out. I was surprised to see that TIS didn't have any specific instructions about this -- if the instructions are there, they're not where you'd expect to find them...