52 15 408 Replacing backrest cover for front passenger seat (sport/manual)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2016 BMW 328i xDrive, 2016 BMW 328d xDrive, 2015 BMW 328i xDrive, 2015 BMW 328d xDrive, and 2014 BMW 328i xDrive. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

52 0 050

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove front passenger seat . See 52 13 002 REMOVING AND INSTALLING THE FRONT SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE (NORMAL/MANUAL) or 52 14 002 REMOVING AND INSTALLING FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/ELECTRIC) ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FROM LEFT OR RIGHT .
Remove REAR PANEL on front seat backrest
Remove GUIDE SLEEVES

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 heating only:

Unlock plug connection (1) for seat heating and disconnect.

Detach cable strap.

Release seat heater cable (2) from cable clips on seat mechanism.

Installation note:

Plug connection is encoded to prevent incorrect connection.

Replace cable strap.

Fig 1: Plug Connection And Wiring Harness

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Feed the wiring harness carefully through the seat and backrest mechanism as the edges of the frame can be sharp.

Lift welt out of backrest frame.

Detach backrest cover at bottom from the metal tabs in the marked area.

Carefully slide bracing cloth with foam through backrest gap and seat structure.

If applicable, route cable carefully through seat and backrest mechanics as the edges of the frame may be sharp.

Installation note:

Slide foam completely through backrest gap and seat structure.

Make sure foam and bracing cloth are correctly fitted.

Fig 2: Detaching Backrest Cover At Bottom From Metal Tabs

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull off backrest cover (1) with upholstery sideways and towards top from backrest frame.

Fig 3: Removing Backrest Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release all clamps in marked area.

Remove backrest cover from padding.

NOTE: Remove all remnants of clamps from backrest cover and upholstery.

Fig 4: Retainers Location

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

Bend new clamp (2) with special tool 52 0 050.

Upholstery
Clamp
Trim wire in upholstery
Trim wire in backrest cover
Backrest cover

Fig 5: Bending Retainer Using Special Tool (52 0 050)
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement only:

Pull trim wires out of backrest cover.

Cut new backrest cover to size and insert trim wires.

Fig 6: Backrest Cover Trims

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.