Wow, thanks for the reply! I wasn't familiar with the newTIS.info website, very helpful.

My 06 X5 3.0i has the "normal" or "base" seats, not the Comfort nor Sport seats. According to realOEM, Normal and Sport use identical part #s for the headrest guides. Comfort uses unique shafts. Indeed, the part I ordered looks identical to the part installed in my vehicle.

I spent some time on newTIS website, and (just like you) could only find removal instructions for the comfort seat shafts, Normal and Sport seat users are out of luck. I DID find instructions for removal of the back panel of the seat, so I'm going to attempt that and see if removal is possible from underneath.

Thanks so much!

06 X5 3.0i 6MT