Does anyone know if this can be retrofitted-I did not get the foldable rear seats (paranoid about increase road noise)

hi there.... well see my thread

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?show...109&hl=ski-bag

I've got the same question. Did a little research and it seems like it can be 99% done...... estimated cost about 200EUR for the ski bag centre console armrest. The thing is we will need also the back of the seat/trunk as well.... I'm stuck here. I have to dismount the rear of the seat from trunk to see how is it done there

I had it done to my E39. They had to work more than they anticipated on it, but they got it. No increase in interior noise. Major increase in convenience and DECREASE in ROOF WIND NOISE.

Cheers,
Ray Hull

Ray-so your dealership took care of this? How much did it cost?

Thanks -

Wulff, Yes, it was a dealer install kit. I can't recall price, as it was part of the deal when I bought it. (I had that and my radar detector retrofitted.) I think I paid only the price of the dealer installation kit (a trunk-side trap door, the integral ski bag and some finishing trim for the inside). Let's say it was $100, but they groused at the more-than-anticipated labor involved--"We'll never do all that (cutting, fitting) for free again..." But that was back in 1998.

By comparison, this time, they wanted $300 to hardwire my new Valentine! (I ran the wire inside the trim on the passenger-side door and under the dashboard to the footwell outlet--for free--or whatever 10 minutes of a Saturday is worth to me....)

Bottom line is that the ski kit comes through the center armrest--at least that's how it was on the E39; it did not rely on folding seats which would be a much larger complication.

Good luck,
Ray