Fold-downseats - should I get them?
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Riverdale, New York
My Ride: 2008 535xi / Platinum Grey / Black leather / Step Auto / Sport / Premium / Cold weather / 18" wheels / Logic 7 / Comfort / ipod / Navigation / Fold Down Rear Seats / Rear Airbags / Sirius SAT / Spoiler / Extended Clear bra / Bluetooth. (Previously owned a 2002 sport 525I Loaded).
On order: 535xi Platnium Grey with Black interior, Step Auto, Sports package, Premium package, Cold weather package, 18" wheels, Logic 7, Comfort access, ipod adapt, Navigation, Sat radio, Rear spoiler, Extended Clear coat bra.
After reading several posts and considering it I called BMW and had them add the fold down seats two weeks after I ordered the car.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Chicago, USA
My Ride: 11 550i Sophisto Gray/Oyster Black/Anthracite, Sprt Trns, DHP, IAS, SP, PP1, PP2, CWP, HUD, DAP, AVSP, SF RS, CA, ACC - Euro Del
Great option. My 550 Sport has 1200 miles on it and I used the FD rear seats once already on a 400 mile trip to my folks house with their gift in the trunk. This my second 5 er with them. No squeaks and no rattles. I really like them.
My vote would be yes.
There might only be a couple of times a year when you need to use them, but it allows extra versatility - especially if you don't normally have a back seat full of passengers.
I would rather have the fold down seats than be using a roof rack!
Regards,
There might only be a couple of times a year when you need to use them, but it allows extra versatility - especially if you don't normally have a back seat full of passengers.
I would rather have the fold down seats than be using a roof rack!
Regards,
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From: Gothenburg, Sweden
My Ride: F11 520d Touring Imperial Blue, sports automatic, VDC, black leather sports seats, M Sport steering wheel, HiFi Professional, 18" 328 wheels, Xenon, PCD, electrical tow hitch etc...
E87 120dM -10, Titanium silver, xenon, PDC, Hifi, 18" wheels etc.
E87 120d M sport- 08, Le Mans blue, xenon, PDC, Hifi, 18" wheels etc.
Sold: BMW 525dT Deep sea blue, xenon, PDC, leather, Hifi, USB etc.
And I for one, can't understand how people can survive without a BMW Touring. Even an E60 with fold down seats wouldn't be enough for me. I even have a box to put on the car roof when we do really long holiday trips with the family.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
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Originally Posted by gorban' post='474433' date='Sep 26 2007, 04:32 AM
And I for one, can't understand how people can survive without a BMW Touring. Even an E60 with fold down seats wouldn't be enough for me. I even have a box to put on the car roof when we do really long holiday trips with the family.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: St. Louis, MO USA
My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels
I ordered the option for the times I'll need it. I haven't used it yet, but know I will. To me, it's worth the money.
Reason alone to get it!
Lou
Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='474111' date='Sep 25 2007, 02:24 PM
Hey Rudy, post the dead hooker diagram again, with folder seats you could double the body count !
Lou
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From: Chicago
My Ride: #1: 2004 545i; 6-speed manual; Sport Package; Mystic Blue with a gray leather interior and Anthracite wood; CWP; Logic 7.
#2: 2010 535xi Touring; Automatic.
Originally Posted by gorban' post='474433' date='Sep 26 2007, 03:32 AM
And I for one, can't understand how people can survive without a BMW Touring. Even an E60 with fold down seats wouldn't be enough for me. I even have a box to put on the car roof when we do really long holiday trips with the family.
Originally Posted by JSpira' post='474017' date='Sep 25 2007, 12:22 PM
I hardly use the fold-down seats in the 3er, and can?t recall using the fold-down seats in my previous 5er, and have always suspected they might account for a few rattles.
So I am not planning to get them.
Does anyone object?
So I am not planning to get them.
Does anyone object?

However, I do suffer from an annoying light tapping/creeking sound about the rear seats when the car goes over rough roads. I complained at the dealer and they replaced all four door seals. The car is a little quieter now, but that pesky noise is still there. I've tried to isolate it with myself in the back and the wife driving but so far no luck.
I do think the older 540i's I test drove without fold-down seats were, on the whole, quieter over rough roads. I wouldn't get rid of them, but there is, in my situation, a trade-off.
Good luck.
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From: Vancouver, BC , Canada
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Deano, check to see how tight the ski bag/condom door is . I know someone who had a similar rattle/creak and found that by adding a bit of foam tape to the inside of door firmed up the fit and eliminated the noise.
Good Luck
Good Luck
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Chicago, USA
My Ride: 11 550i Sophisto Gray/Oyster Black/Anthracite, Sprt Trns, DHP, IAS, SP, PP1, PP2, CWP, HUD, DAP, AVSP, SF RS, CA, ACC - Euro Del
Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='474579' date='Sep 26 2007, 12:54 PM
Deano, check to see how tight the ski bag/condom door is . I know someone who had a similar rattle/creak and found that by adding a bit of foam tape to the inside of door firmed up the fit and eliminated the noise.
Good Luck
Good Luck


