52 17... Removing and installing/replacing all covers on left or right seat rails

Unclip front upper rail cover (1) on left and right from upper rail cover (2).

Pull cover (1) forward while pressing cover (2) rearward.

Cover, top rail, front:

• Move seat backwards and upwards
• Turn trim cover (1) upwards and detach by pulling forward
  Fig 2: Removing Seat Trim Cover

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Clips in marked area must not be broken.

Replace cover if necessary.

Installation note: 

Clip cover with clips (1) at top into seat mechanism.

Apply silicone grease on the inner surface of clips (1) to prevent creaking noise.

Installation note: 

Tilt cover in downward direction.

Clip in cover on left and right.

Cover, top rail, side:

Feed cover out of seat mechanism:

1. upwards,
2. slide towards rear

Feed out cover.

Installation note: 

Risk of damage! 

First correctly insert cover into guide in rear area.

Clip cover into front area.

Replace cover in the case of white stress fracture.

Remove front seat cover: 

Unclip cover (1) on front seat.

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 lugs may not be broken.

Renew faulty cover if necessary.

Cover, bottom rail, front:

1. Move seat backwards
2. Unclip cover tongue towards top, sliding trim towards front slightly
3. Pull inside surface of cover inwards slightly and unclip
4. Detach cover towards front from bottom rail

Installation note: 

Place cover on bottom rail and slide towards rear to engage, feeding in below cover, top rail, outer.

Ensure retaining lug is fitted correctly in area (2).

Press and snap in inside and outside of trim cover on seat rail.

Installation note: 

Cover must not show any white fracture in marked area.

Replace cover if necessary.

Installation note: 

Retaining lugs in marked area must not be broken.

Replace cover if necessary.

Check that retaining lugs are locked in correctly.

Cover, bottom rail, rear:

1. Move seat forwards
2. Unclip cover tongue towards top
3. Pull inside surface of cover inwards
4. Detach cover towards rear from bottom rail

Installation note: 

Ensure retaining lug is fitted correctly in area (2).

Press and snap in inside and outside of trim cover on seat rail.

Installation note: 

Cover must not show any white fracture in marked area.

Replace cover if necessary.

Installation note: 

Retaining lugs in marked area must not be broken.

Replace cover if necessary.

Check that retaining lugs are locked in correctly.

Installation note: 

Clips, retaining lugs and hooks must not be damaged.

Make sure trim cover is correctly seated.

After completing tasks, move seat and make sure that cover does not move.