52 16 400 Replacing seat cover for left or right front seat (M3 sport seat)

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Necessary preliminary tasks

Remove FRONT SEAT
Remove REAR PANEL on front seat
Remove OUTER COVER
Remove THIGH SUPPORT

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 or OC3 mat:

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

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

IMPORTANT: The OC3 mat must be enabled after each installation operation.

Enabling seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat):

Connect BMW scan tool to program/encode.
Code airbag control unit
Clear fault memory if necessary

Only when replacing OC3 mat with padding:

OC3 mat (1) is secured on the left and right sides in the marked area with a longitudinal trim wire for transportation.

Carefully remove adhesive tape (2).

Fig 1: Identifying OC3 Mat And Adhesive Tape

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Removing transportation lock:

Carefully release retainers in marked area on left and right from longitudinal trim wires (1).

IMPORTANT: Remove all remainders of retainers from padding and OC3 mat.

Fig 2: Identifying Longitudinal Trim Wire

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Unlock retaining lugs (1).

Remove seat trim (2) downwards.

Installation:

Seat trim (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 3: Removing Seat Trim And Retaining Lugs

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unlock plug connection (1) for seat heating and disconnect.

Disconnect cable straps.

Release wiring harness (2) from cable holders on seat mechanism.

IMPORTANT: Feed the wiring harness carefully through the seat and backrest mechanism as the edges of the frame can be sharp.

Fig 4: Locating Wiring Harness On Cable Holder

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Release screw (1).

Lever clip (2) out of seat cover on left and right.

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clip.

Remove trim (3) from inside of seat.

Fig 5: Locating Seat Inside Trim

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Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame.

Fig 6: Removing Seat Cover From Seat Frame

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Lever welt (1) out of seat frame completely.

Remove seat cover with padding towards front/top.

Fig 7: Removing Lever Welt Of Seat Frame

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Version with seat heater and/or with seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat):

Release the corresponding plug connections depending on the version and disconnect.

Pull seat cover (1) with padding forward a little and feed wiring harness (2) out.

Remove seat cover (1) towards front/top.

Fig 8: Identifying Seat Cover And Wiring Harness

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NOTE: The operation Replacing seat cover with OC3 mat ends here.

Release all retainers in marked area.

Fig 9: Identifying Retainers Location

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

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

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

Remove seat cover from padding.

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

Fig 10: Identifying Trim Wires And Cross-Wires

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Replacement only:

Pull trim wires (1) out of seat cover.

Cut new seat cover to size and insert trim wires.

Fig 11: Identifying Trim Wires Of Seat Cover

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Installation:

Bend new retainers (2) closed with special tool 52 0 050 PLIERS .

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

Fig 12: Bending Retainers Using Special Tool (52 0 050)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.