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

Special tools required: 

• 52 0 050

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove FRONT SEAT 
• Remove REAR PANEL  on front seat backrest
• Remove INNER COVER  on front seat
• Remove SWITCH COMBINATION for seat adjustment

When replacing seat cover: 

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

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

When replacing support with OC3 mat: 

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

These must be fitted with the seat cover from the car.

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 Front Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1).

Installation: 

Insert screws (1) with Loctite.

Fig 2: Identifying Release Screws

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Place thigh support (1) on seat surface.

Release all retainers (2).

Remove all remnants of clips from seat cover and seat mechanism.

Installation: 

Bend new retainers closed with pliers 52 0 050.

Fig 3: Placing Thigh Support On Seat Surface

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Installation: 

Ensure correct routing of cables.

Fig 4: Identifying Seat Cover And Carrier

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For seat heating optional extra only: 

Carefully detach felt (1) from padding.

Unfasten plug connection (2) and disconnect.

Pull cover off padding (3).

Fig 5: Identifying Plug Connection And Felt

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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 6: Identifying Seat Cover And Clips

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Unhook seat cover (3) in marked area.

If necessary, unlock and disconnect plug connections (1) for seat heating.

If necessary, unlock and disconnect plug connections (2) for seat occupancy detection.

Remove seat cover (3) complete with padding.

Fig 7: Removing Seat Cover Complete With Padding

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US/CND front passenger seat (with OC3 mat) only: 

New seat cover must be completely installed with padding, seat heating and OC3 mat.

Release seat occupancy detector: 

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

The operation "Replacing seat cover for front seat" ends here for the above-mentioned vehicles.

Release all retainers.

Remove seat cover from padding.

Remove all remnants of retainers from seat cover and/or padding.

Fig 8: Removing Remnants Of Retainers From Seat Cover And Padding

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Installation: 

Bend new retainers closed with pliers 52 0 050.

1. Support
2. Retainer
3. Trim thread in support
4. Trim thread in cover
5. Seat cover

Fig 9: Identifying Support, Retainer And Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 10: Identifying Trim Threads, Seat Cover And Cable

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.