52 13 400 Replacing seat cover for left or right front seat (normal/semi-electric)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 BMW 545i and 2004 BMW 545i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

For Special Tool identification, see SEATS - SPECIAL TOOLS - 5-SERIES (E60) .

Special Tools Required:

52 0 050

Necessary Preliminary Tasks:

Remove front seat. Refer to 52 13 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/SEMI-ELECTRIC) .
Remove rear panel on front seat backrest. Refer to 52 14 198 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING REAR PANEL ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACKREST (NORMAL / ELECTRIC) .
Remove inner cover on front seat. Refer to 52 13 041 REMOVING AND INSTALLING INNER COVER ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/SEMIELECTRIC) .

WARNING: US/CND 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 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.

After fitting seat cover, enable OC3 mat with BMW diagnosis system.

Enabling seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat):

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

Unhook seat cover (2) at all retaining points.

Lever out left and right clips (1).

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clips (1).

Remove seat cover (2) with support.

If necessary, disconnect all plug connections.

Fig 1: Locating Seat Cover Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 support.

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

Fig 2: Identifying Seat Retainers

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Support (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 3: View Of Support With OC3 Mat

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Bend new retainer (2) closed with pliers 52 0 050.

Fig 4: Installing Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove trim threads (1) from seat cover (2).

(3) If necessary, cable for seat heating

Installation:

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

Fig 5: View Of Trim Threads In Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.