How to tilt the Roadster seats forward?

Louv · 07-09-2018, 12:59 PM

I went to look at a new i8 Roadster this past weekend.

The storage behind the seats is interesting. But I couldn't figure out how to tilt the seat forward for easier access to that storage. The handle on the back of the headrest in my 2015 i8 isn't there. The salesman I was with didn't know either.

Yes, we could use the very slow tilt controls on the side of the seat base... but that's... cumbersome. I felt silly.

Does anyone have a link to the pdf of the Roadster Owners' Manual?

Thanks in advance.

evanevery · 07-09-2018, 01:45 PM

I was looking at a Roadster at my dealer the other day (checking the available storage space for luggage during my euro delivery)...and I had no issue whatsoever tipping the seat backs forward. It was so obvious as I don't even remember how it was done...

I know this isn't particularly helpful, but it appears you and your salesman are overlooking something VERY obvious...

I'll check some photos and see if I can remember what level or strap I pulled...

evanevery · 07-09-2018, 01:50 PM

Looking at some online photos... There is a pull strap on the side of the seat near the top and also a tab on the top/center of the seatback...

Did you try either of those...

Quite honestly, it was so obvious to me at the time as NOT to be memorable...

bcroadster · 07-09-2018, 05:17 PM

Yes the pull strap releases the tilt forward very easy to use

Louv · 07-10-2018, 08:33 AM

Oh, I thought that was only to hold the Seatbelt. I didn't pull on it.

Yup... too obvious.

"If it were a snake, it would have bit you!"
"If it were a snake, I wouldn't have been looking for it."

Thanks!

evanevery · 07-10-2018, 09:06 AM

If in doubt - start pulling on EVERYTHING! ;-)

Also... Slap your salesman for me!

Louv · 07-10-2018, 10:51 PM

I don't yank on things I don't own. Or don't know what they are attached to.
:-) I hate breaking other people's toys.

The salesman was new to the business. He was friendly, accommodating, and not at all pushy. It was highly unlikely I was going to buy that day, and he knew that, but his attitude never changed.

I hadn't seen a Roadster in person yet, and I wanted to compare it to my 2015 i8. I also wanted to see the new M5 in person, but the three listed on their website were "in transit". C'est la vie. He did show me a stunning Tanzanite Blue M4 'vert Competition Pack and all the carbon accessories. A few years ago, I'd have been very, very tempted.

evanevery · 07-11-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louv

I don't yank on things I don't own. Or don't know what they are attached to.

(no one said "yank") However, it must be challenging to figure out how to open/work something if you are not willing to try pulling on rather obvious straps or levers... ;-)

Louv · 07-11-2018, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evanevery

(no one said "yank") However, it must be challenging to figure out how to open/work something if you are not willing to try pulling on rather obvious straps or levers... ;-)

OK, fine... Yes, my life is challenging.

The strap had an obvious (to me, anyway) purpose: To hold the seat belt in position, because it was in exactly the same place as my i8, just a new design. I wasn't expecting a secondary function. Nor, a Spanish Inquisition. Or a Comfy Chair. But I digress.

That's why I was asking for the manual... I wanted to: "When in doubt, RTFM".

evanevery · 07-11-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louv

OK, fine... Yes, my life is challenging.

The strap had an obvious (to me, anyway) purpose: To hold the seat belt in position, because it was in exactly the same place as my i8, just a new design. I wasn't expecting a secondary function. Nor, a Spanish Inquisition. Or a Comfy Chair. But I digress.

That's why I was asking for the manual... I wanted to: "When in doubt, RTFM".

I think you are still looking at the wrong strap... There is no way the seat release strap/tab could hold a seatbelt.

https://www.caricos.com/cars/b/bmw/2...mages/214.html

Note the black strap on the back/side of the headrest (NOT the seat-colored strap).

Louv · 07-12-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evanevery

I think you are still looking at the wrong strap... There is no way the seat release strap/tab could hold a seatbelt.

https://www.caricos.com/cars/b/bmw/2...mages/214.html

Note the black strap on the back/side of the headrest (NOT the seat-colored strap).

Oh! That? I don't even remember seeing that.

Clearly, I was talking too much, and not paying enough attention to the car!

Thanks!

07-09-2018, 12:59 PM	#1
Louv Driver 301 Rep 382 Posts Drives: Mephisto Gray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mainely iTrader: (0)	How to tilt the Roadster seats forward? I went to look at a new i8 Roadster this past weekend. The storage behind the seats is interesting. But I couldn't figure out how to tilt the seat forward for easier access to that storage. The handle on the back of the headrest in my 2015 i8 isn't there. The salesman I was with didn't know either. Yes, we could use the very slow tilt controls on the side of the seat base... but that's... cumbersome. I felt silly. Does anyone have a link to the pdf of the Roadster Owners' Manual? Thanks in advance. __________________ cages:'18 M2, '15 i8, '15 X6M and '18 K1600GT History: '96 Z3, '95 540i, '95 540iA, '00 M5, '04 X5, '88 M6, '89 750iL, '08 Z4MCoupe, '12 ActiveE, '62 R60/2, '76 R90S, '08 R1200GSA, '10 G450X I own no garage queens. If it's in my driveway, it's been ridden hard and put away wet. ...and now, with a light crust of Maine road salt.
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07-09-2018, 01:45 PM	#2
evanevery Lieutenant Colonel 1111 Rep 1,904 Posts Drives: iXM60, i8 Rdstr, M4, i7 M70 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	I was looking at a Roadster at my dealer the other day (checking the available storage space for luggage during my euro delivery)...and I had no issue whatsoever tipping the seat backs forward. It was so obvious as I don't even remember how it was done... I know this isn't particularly helpful, but it appears you and your salesman are overlooking something VERY obvious... I'll check some photos and see if I can remember what level or strap I pulled... __________________ The Jiggery-Pokery is Strong with this One https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1645366 https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1197553 https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=35
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07-09-2018, 01:50 PM	#3
evanevery Lieutenant Colonel 1111 Rep 1,904 Posts Drives: iXM60, i8 Rdstr, M4, i7 M70 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Looking at some online photos... There is a pull strap on the side of the seat near the top and also a tab on the top/center of the seatback... Did you try either of those... Quite honestly, it was so obvious to me at the time as NOT to be memorable... __________________ The Jiggery-Pokery is Strong with this One https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1645366 https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1197553 https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=35
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07-09-2018, 05:17 PM	#4
bcroadster New Member 8 Rep 28 Posts Drives: I8 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: BC Canada iTrader: (0)	Yes the pull strap releases the tilt forward very easy to use
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07-10-2018, 08:33 AM	#5
Louv Driver 301 Rep 382 Posts Drives: Mephisto Gray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mainely iTrader: (0)	Oh, I thought that was only to hold the Seatbelt. I didn't pull on it. Yup... too obvious. "If it were a snake, it would have bit you!" "If it were a snake, I wouldn't have been looking for it." Thanks! __________________ cages:'18 M2, '15 i8, '15 X6M and '18 K1600GT History: '96 Z3, '95 540i, '95 540iA, '00 M5, '04 X5, '88 M6, '89 750iL, '08 Z4MCoupe, '12 ActiveE, '62 R60/2, '76 R90S, '08 R1200GSA, '10 G450X I own no garage queens. If it's in my driveway, it's been ridden hard and put away wet. ...and now, with a light crust of Maine road salt.
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07-10-2018, 09:06 AM	#6
evanevery Lieutenant Colonel 1111 Rep 1,904 Posts Drives: iXM60, i8 Rdstr, M4, i7 M70 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	If in doubt - start pulling on EVERYTHING! ;-) Also... Slap your salesman for me! __________________ The Jiggery-Pokery is Strong with this One https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1645366 https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1197553 https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=35
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07-10-2018, 10:51 PM	#7
Louv Driver 301 Rep 382 Posts Drives: Mephisto Gray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mainely iTrader: (0)	I don't yank on things I don't own. Or don't know what they are attached to. :-) I hate breaking other people's toys. The salesman was new to the business. He was friendly, accommodating, and not at all pushy. It was highly unlikely I was going to buy that day, and he knew that, but his attitude never changed. I hadn't seen a Roadster in person yet, and I wanted to compare it to my 2015 i8. I also wanted to see the new M5 in person, but the three listed on their website were "in transit". C'est la vie. He did show me a stunning Tanzanite Blue M4 'vert Competition Pack and all the carbon accessories. A few years ago, I'd have been very, very tempted. __________________ cages:'18 M2, '15 i8, '15 X6M and '18 K1600GT History: '96 Z3, '95 540i, '95 540iA, '00 M5, '04 X5, '88 M6, '89 750iL, '08 Z4MCoupe, '12 ActiveE, '62 R60/2, '76 R90S, '08 R1200GSA, '10 G450X I own no garage queens. If it's in my driveway, it's been ridden hard and put away wet. ...and now, with a light crust of Maine road salt.
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