52 17 403 Replacing seat cover for passenger seat (comfort) (from 09/09)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW 550i GT, 2012 BMW 550i GT, 2011 BMW 550i GT, and 2010 BMW 550i GT. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

Necessary preliminary work

Remove PASSENGER SEAT .
Remove BOTH REAR PANELS on front seat backrest.
Remove INNER COVER on front seat.
Remove THIGH SUPPORT .
Remove SWITCH COMBINATION 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 plugs are correctly seated in catches.

Version with seat occupancy detector (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 And Earth Cables (Seat Pan And Backrest Frame)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cut open cable strap (1).

Installation:

Replace defective cable strap.

Raise tab and pull plug from plug housing.

Fig 2: Pulling Plug From Plug Housing

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.

Unclip trim (1) for thigh support carrier with special tool 00 9 317 .

Fig 4: Uncliping Thigh Support Carrier Trim

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release clamps in area (1).

Detach seat cover in area (2) on left and right.

Remove cable (3).

Fig 5: Identifying Cable, Seat Cover And Clamp Area

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 6: Identifying Seat Cover And Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

With air conditioning only as optional equipment:

Unlock plug connections (1) and disconnect.

Fig 7: Identifying 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 clips from seat cover and upholstery.

Fig 8: Identifying Trim Wires And Cross-Wires

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Bend new clamps closed with pliers 52 0 050 .

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

Fig 9: Bending Clamps Using Pliers
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace seat cover

Pull trim threads (1) out of seat cover.

Installation:

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

Fig 10: Identifying Seat Cover Trim Threads

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Special tools required:

Necessary preliminary work

Remove PASSENGER SEAT .
Remove BOTH REAR PANELS on front seat backrest.
Remove INNER COVER on front seat.
Remove THIGH SUPPORT .
Remove SWITCH COMBINATION for seat adjustment.

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.

Version with seat occupancy detector (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 And Earth Cables (Seat Pan And Backrest Frame)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cut open cable strap (1).

Installation:

Replace defective cable strap.

Raise tab and pull plug from plug housing.

Fig 2: Pulling Plug From Plug Housing

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.

Unclip trim (1) for thigh support carrier with special tool 00 9 317 .

Fig 4: Uncliping Thigh Support Carrier Trim

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release clamps in area (1).

Detach seat cover in area (2) on left and right.

Remove cable (3).

Fig 5: Identifying Cable, Seat Cover And Clamp Area

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 6: Identifying Seat Cover And Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

With air conditioning only as optional equipment:

Unlock plug connections (1) and disconnect.

Fig 7: Identifying 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 clips from seat cover and upholstery.

Fig 8: Identifying Trim Wires And Cross-Wires

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Bend new clamps closed with pliers 52 0 050 .

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

Fig 9: Bending Clamps Using Pliers
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace seat cover

Pull trim threads (1) out of seat cover.

Installation:

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

Fig 10: Identifying Seat Cover Trim Threads

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.