52 16 400 Removing and Installing/Replacing Seat Cover For Left Or Right Front Seat (Sport/Electric)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW X5, 2009 BMW X5, 2008 BMW X5, and 2007 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

52 0 050. See 52 0 050 PLIERS

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front seat. See 52 14 000 Removing and Installing Left Or Right Front Seat .
Remove rear panel on front seat backrest. See 52 16 198 Removing and Installing Or Replacing Rear Panel On Left Or Right Front Seat Backrest .
Remove inner cover on front seat. See 52 14 041 Removing and Installing Inner Cover On Left Or Right Front Seat .
Remove switch combination for seat adjustment. See 61 31 203 REPLACING SWITCH COMBINATION FOR SEAT ADJUSTMENT .

WARNING: US/CDN front passenger seat (with OC3 mat) only:
To avoid damaging the OC3 mat, it is essential to carry out the following operations with extra care.

When replacing seat cover:

If seat cover is defective, seat cover and padding with OC3 mat must be replaced together.

New seat cover is supplied with padding, OC3 mat and if necessary seat heating.

When replacing padding with OC3 mat:

If OC3 mat or padding is defective, both parts may only be replaced together.

Both parts must be fitted with the seat cover from the vehicle.

Enabling seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat):

Connect BMW diagnosis system
Release seat occupancy detector
Clear fault memory if necessary

Unclip cover (1) on front seat.

Fig 1: Identifying Cover

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Release screws (1).

Disconnect plug connections (2) and detach cable.

Remove thigh support (3) towards top.

Fig 2: Identifying Plug Connections And Screw

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Detach seat cover (1) in marked area on left and right.

Lever out left and right clips (2).

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Fig 3: Identifying Clips

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Unhook seat cover (1) in area (2).

Disconnect plug connection (3).

Remove seat cover (1) complete with support.

Fig 4: Identifying Cover Area Connections

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Version with OC3 mat:

OC3 mat must not be kinked under any circumstances.

Detach all retainers in side area from longitudinal wires (1).

Pull trim wires (1) forward out of seat cover.

Carefully fold back seat cover and release retainers from cross - wires (2).

Remove seat cover from padding.

IMPORTANT: Remove all remnants of clips from seat cover and padding.

Fig 5: Identifying Longitudinal Wires And Trim Wires

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Detach cable strap (3).

Unlock plug connection (4) and disconnect.

Detach seat cover (2) in marked area from thigh support (1).

Fig 6: Identifying Cable Strap

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Padding (1) with OC3 mat (2).

IMPORTANT: No retainer remainders may be fitted as well.
Handle OC3 mat with extreme care.
Do not kink OC3 mat.
Do not clamp OC3 mat.
OC3 mat must lie without folds under seat cover.

Fig 7: Identifying Padding With OC3 Mat

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Installation:

Bend new retainers closed with pliers 52 0 050. See 52 0 050 PLIERS .

Padding
Retainer
Trim wire in padding
Trim thread in cover
Seat cover

Fig 8: Identifying Special Tool (52 0 050)
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Replacing seat cover:

Pull trim threads (1) out of seat cover (2).

Installation:

Slide trim threads (1) into new seat cover (2). If necessary, cut mounting for trim threads.

(3) Seat heater cable

Fig 9: Pulling Trim Threads

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.