OEM Rear Entertainment PHOTOS Need for 2005/6 4.8is

[NyMench]

Hey all....

Looking to compare factory ordered systems vs dealer installed differences. Any photos of a beige headrest w/o this system from a 4.8 (shape and size difference would help too)

Specifically

* headrest leather and color matching (photos please with display and leather grain and color) I have a CREAM BEIGE color and the head rest leather is a different color and grain. as you can see in the photo.

* the dvd player cover. mine is leather covered. the one they want to replace it with had just a carpet covered

Thanks for your help.....

[xnsf]

just an fyi:
4.8is have nappa leather with the 'creme beige' option
non-is X5s have montana/dakota with 'sand beige'

[NyMench]

OK...thanks I have the CREAM BEIGE.....

[X5 Meister]

Sorry to tell you this, but BMW never made that setup in Cream Beige Nappa leather (headrest or dvd cover). For the E53 X5 it only came in 5 finishes, all of them Dakota leather (beige, black, grey, truffle, green) I have all the p/n's, but they won't help you unfortunately. So IMHO you have 4 options:

1. Keep it as is; after all you are driving so unless you have eyes in the back of your head you'll never notice; and I doubt the kids will care about Spongebob's surroundings.
2. Get the headrests dyed to match (though texture will never match since they used Dakota leather and not Nappa). I don't know how good they'll come out since you require a lighter color, but then again I'm no expert in this.
3. Try to buy a quantity of Cream Beige Nappa leather from BMW (which might no longer be possible and if it is still possible will probably cost you an arm and a leg) and have them professionally skinned and recovered.
4. Try to buy a quantity of the closest matched dyed leather in color and texture you can find from an aftermarket source (meaning not BMW) and have them professionally skinned and recovered.

Another option would be to remove the setup (since it's essentially 100% band new, that would be a great selling point) and buy a different setup altogether. Invision, not surprisingly (!), actually has made them in Cream Beige Nappa leather! I have a photo of it somewhere and will add it to this post when I find it. Contact Acedeucy, I'm sure that guy can advise you much better than I.

BTW, if you need the instruction book for your current setup let me know, I have it as a pdf.

[NyMench]

Thanks...post whore....i knew you would come through for me! Bummer....

I might have them recovered.....with the correct leather...as option 4! What d' think?

Anyone have a good leather shop in the NY Tri-sate?

[X5 Meister]

You really want me to answer those 2 questions after calling me names, again.? And you can forget me looking for that photo too!

[jsears]

Wow, Mike! You have way too much info! Can you still tell me what is the stuff on the side of my headrests? It's not Dakota leather.

Following up what X5 Meister said:

1. You could keep it as.
2. You could dye the leather, but you would have to primer it first. I believe their is a HOW TO somewhere about somebody dying the inserts of their door panels. This would be pretty much the same process.
3. From what I have heard, Audi is currently using the nappa leather that BMW used back when producing our X5's. You maybe able to acquire the required amount from Audi and have them re-covered.
4. I'd look into #3 first. But that is always an option.
5. Sell your current set up, since it is basically new and purchase the Invisions. The bonus is that you can have each seat playing a different DVD where at the factory set doesn't let you do that.

[NyMench]

X5 Meister "You really want me to answer those 2 questions after calling me names, again.? And you can forget me looking for that photo too."

:

Have a great weekend

[X5 Meister]

You know what, I've looked at tons of pics of 'is comfort headrests and still have not seen anything like yours. Weird. Actually I do think the sides are made of Dakota leather. What they are definitely NOT is Nappa leather. Acedeucy is working on it isn't he...so I won't stick my nose where it don't belong!

As far as #5 goes, there are lots more reasons why the Invision setup is better than the Vizualogic setup he's got installed, but we won't rehash that debate again!

Originally Posted by jsears

Wow, Mike! You have way too much info! Can you still tell me what is the stuff on the side of my headrests? It's not Dakota leather.

Following up what X5 Meister said:

1. You could keep it as.
2. You could dye the leather, but you would have to primer it first. I believe their is a HOW TO somewhere about somebody dying the inserts of their door panels. This would be pretty much the same process.
3. From what I have heard, Audi is currently using the nappa leather that BMW used back when producing our X5's. You maybe able to acquire the required amount from Audi and have them re-covered.
4. I'd look into #3 first. But that is always an option.
5. Sell your current set up, since it is basically new and purchase the Invisions. The bonus is that you can have each seat playing a different DVD where at the factory set doesn't let you do that.

[X5 Meister]

Personally, to have them recovered with the matching leather in color and grain seems like a royal PITA. More concerning however would be what you'll likely do to their warranty. The setup already crapped out once and was fully replaced, what if it happens again and BMW tells you to take a hike? It's at least something to think about.

Honestly if it were me, I'd remove them (sell them) and get the Invision setup, for all its advantages over the BMW setup, and I think the end result would be better and you'll be covered by a great warranty. From what I've read on the board Acedeucy doesn't have a dissatisfied customer yet.

Here are the photos btw:

Originally Posted by NyMench

Thanks...post whore....i knew you would come through for me! Bummer....

I might have them recovered.....with the correct leather...as option 4! What d' think?

Anyone have a good leather shop in the NY Tri-sate?