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

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.

Front passenger seat US/CDN (OC3 mat) only: 

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

The same applies to a defective OC3 mat or padding; both parts can only be replaced together with the seat cover.

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

Individual parts not available.

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

Enable seat occupancy detection (OC3 mat): 

• Connect BMW PROGRAMMING SYSTEM .
• Encode airbag control unit.
• 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.

For 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 padding.

Installation: 

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

1. Padding
2. Clips
3. Trim wire in seat cover
4. Trim wire in padding
5. Seat cover
   Fig 3: Bending Retainers Using Special Tool (52 0 050)

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

If necessary, cut mounting for trim threads.