52 16 403 Replacing seat cover for front passenger seat (sports, 09/09 on)

Special tools required:

52 0 050

Necessary preliminary work

Remove FRONT PASSENGER SEAT .
Remove REAR PANEL on front seat backrest.
Remove INNER COVER on front seat.
Remove OPERATING UNIT for seat adjustment.

WARNING: US/CDN front passenger seat (with CIS mat) only:
A faulty CIS mat, seat heating or seat cover can only be replaced as a single unit.
New CIS mat is supplied with seat cover and if necessary seat heating.
After fitting seat cover, enable CIS mat with BMW diagnosis system.

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

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage on sharp-edged seat mechanism.
Guide all cables carefully through seat and backrest mechanism.
Make sure cable is routed without kinks and tension.
Make sure plug connections are correctly locked.
Make sure connectors are correctly seated in latch mechanisms.

Version with seat occupancy detection (CIS mat) only:

Data line CIS
Earth cable, seat pan
Earth cable, backrest frame

Unlock all plug connections and disconnect.

Fig 1: Identifying Data Line CIS, Seat Pan And Backrest Frame Earth Cable

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cut open cable strap (1).

Installation note:

Replace defective cable strap.

Raise tab and pull connector from connector housing.

Fig 2: Identifying Open Cable Strap

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unclip cover (1) on front seat.

Fig 3: Identifying Front Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

Remove metal clamps (1) left and right on the cover.

Bend up metal clamps and insert back into the cover.

Clip metal clamps (1) with cover into the center slot on the seat mechanism.

Guide lug must not be broken.

Renew faulty cover if necessary.

Fig 4: Removing Cover Metal Clamps

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1).

Disconnect plug connections (2) and detach cable.

Remove thigh support (3) towards top.

Fig 5: Identifying Thigh Support, Plug Connections And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Lever out left and right clips (2).

Installation note:

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Fig 6: Identifying Seat Cover And Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unhook seat cover in marked area (1).

With seat heating only as optional equipment:

Disconnect plug connection (2).

Remove seat cover complete with upholstery.

Fig 7: Unhooking Seat Cover In Marked Area

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

With air conditioning only as optional equipment:

Unlock plug connections (1) and disconnect.

Fig 8: Identifying Seat Cover Plug Connections

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

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

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

Remove seat cover from upholstery.

IMPORTANT: Remove all remnants of clamps from seat cover and upholstery.

Fig 9: Identifying Seat Cover Trim And Cross-Wires

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detach cable strap (3).

Unlock plug connection (4) and disconnect.

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

Fig 10: Identifying Seat Cover, Thigh Support, Cable Tie And Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace seat cover

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

Installation note:

Slide trim wires (1) into new seat cover (2).

If necessary, cut mounting for trim threads.

(3) Seat heater cable

Fig 11: Identifying Seat Cover, Seat Heater Cable And Trim Wires

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

52 0 050 Bend new retainers closed with pliers.

Upholstery
Clamp
Trim wire in upholstery
Trim wire in cover
Seat cover

Fig 12: Identifying Upholstery, Seat Cover, Clamp And Clamp Wire
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.