can someone tell me what this is on a 4.6is

[rrich49132]

Can someone tell me what these buttons are for on this center console? I am looking at a used 2002 4.6is and it does not have this as the guy pulled it out and replaced it with a DVD player.

[cegeste]

Those are the buttons for the passengers to adjust the reclining of the back seats.

[rrich49132]

Thanks,
that is what I thought but not sure. Why would the guy take that off and replace with a DVD player making it such that the seats can't recline? Hmm either I deduct $1000 from what I would offer the guy or just pass on the car as I would eventually find another one of those and get this back to normal.

[Weasel]

Those adjust the rear seat backrests. Those are one of 2 sets of switches for that, those being reachable by rear seat passengers and can be overridden/blocked by the "child lock" on the drivers door window switch. The other set is in the very back, you see them when you open the top half of the rear hatch. Put there to make room for bigger boxes/cargo in the back by standing the seat backs straight up and down.

[rrich49132]

Oh ok.

I was thinking that due to the dvd that they could not be adjusted at all. Not the case. I still dont like it being there though.

[chas3]

Didn't he keep the original trim after the DVD replacement?

[jst2878]

Aftermarket wiring...not a good sign

[rrich49132]

One big reason why my interest was lost on the car.

[cegeste]

Did the BMW rear entertainment option retain the buttons? What about relocating to the C pillar like on the E53 LCI (2004+) ?

[Weasel]

The BMW option put the tv's in the headrests vs the roof.

I guess they could be relocated, but it would require dropping the headliner and extending the wiring harnessed down to the c-pillars and cutting holes to pop the switches in.