A friend of mine also has an 08 550i M Sport and his headrests look like this:
https://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i...e_headrest.jpg

And mine look like this:
https://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i...headrest-1.jpg

We both have comfort seats and all that... anyone know why there was a change? Mine had a 12/07 build. I asked him for his but he's across the country right now away from his car so I won't know for a while.

Yes, the LCI model (design refresh) was introduced in 03/08. My E60 was built in 04/08 and looks like the top pic. Someone on this forum retrofitted the new ones IIRC.

I have a 2007 530 (12/06 build) and the headrests look like the top picture.

Can't see the blocked photobucket images, but are you referring to the active headrest that deploys in the event of a rear-end collision? If so, someone here from the UK has posted a picture of a deployed headrest after a collision.

it deploys like go go gadget headrest... top one look so much better

Maybe the LCI headrest was introduced in 03/08 :D but my LCI MY 2008 550 was built in Oct 2007 and has headrests like the bottom picutre. They have clearly changed the headrest during the course of the 2008 MY (U.S.). Will have to search but I seem to recall a previous thread about the change over...

disagree. the top one reminds me of about a 1983 Cadillac El Dorado.

no offense to anyone that has those. its a frame of reference thing... either version is awesome.

LOL.

Also, the top one, the neck cushion can be adjusted to wrap around (a la first class airplane seats). I almost fall asleep while driving once. :D

it took me 45 minutes to figure out how to adjust the headrests in my car. i was scared i was going to break them.

I got the second rests on my 2008 535 xi with sports package - mine is late model 08 (build 07/08).