52 15 400 Replacing seat cover for left or right front seat (sport/manual)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW Z4, 2012 BMW Z4, 2011 BMW Z4, 2010 BMW Z4, and 2009 BMW Z4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks

Remove FRONT SEAT
Remove THIGH SUPPORT
Manual version:
Remove OUTER COVER
Electric version:

Remove CARRIER FOR COVER

WARNING: US/CDN front passenger seat (with CIS mat) only:
If CIS mat or padding is defective, both parts must be replaced together.

IMPORTANT: The CIS mat must be enabled after each installation operation.

Enabling seat occupancy detector (CIS mat):

Connect BMW programming system
Encode airbag control unit
Clear fault memory if necessary

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.

NOTE: From build date 09/2009 onward, earth cable (3) not included on backrest frame.

Fig 1: Identifying Data Line CIS And Earth Cables

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Version with seat heating only:

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

Unfasten cable strap.

Disengage wiring harness from cable clips (flexmat).

Fig 2: Identifying Plug Connection

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Version with seat occupancy detector (CIS mat) without seat heating only

Cable for seat heating, seat padding:

Seat heating is integrated in the CIS mat and is stuck to the padding over the full surface.

Lay cable for seat heating as shown to flexmat and secure with cable strap.

Secure plug with cable strap to cable.

Fig 3: Locating Plug With Cable Strap

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Cable for seat heating, thigh support:

Cramp cable (1) to welt strip with retainers (2).

Installation:

Bend retainers (2) with special tool 52 0 050 .

Fig 4: Identifying Cable And Retainers

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Clamp plug (1) behind welt strip (2).

Fig 5: Identifying Plug With Welt Strip

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Unlock retaining lugs (1).

Remove seat trim (2) downwards.

Installation:

Seat trim (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 6: Removing Seat Trim

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Lever clip (1) out of seat cover on left and right.

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clip.

Fig 7: Identifying Clip

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Tunnel side:

Disengage cover fastener (1) from belt deflector trim.

Fig 8: Identifying Cover Fastener Of Belt Deflector Trim

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Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame.

Fig 9: Removing Seat Cover From Seat Frame

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Pull out cover welt (1) completely from seat frame (2).

Fig 10: Pulling Out Cover Welt From Seat Frame

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Remove seat cover (1) with padding towards front/top.

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

Installation:

Slide foam completely through backrest gap and seat structure. Make sure foam and bracing cloth are correctly fitted.

Fig 11: Removing Seat Cover With Padding

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Version with seat heating and/or seat occupancy detector (CIS mat):

Release the corresponding plug connections depending on the version and disconnect.

Pull seat cover (1) with padding forward a little and feed wiring harness (2) out.

Remove seat cover (1) with padding towards front/top.

Fig 12: Identifying Seat Cover And Wiring Harness

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Release all retainers in marked area.

Fig 13: Identifying Retainers Marked Area

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Detach all retainers in side area from OKE strips.

Carefully fold back seat cover and release retainers from OKE strips.

Remove seat cover from padding.

IMPORTANT: Remove all remnants of clips from seat cover and padding (CIS mat).

Fig 14: Identifying Retainers Of OKE Strips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

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

Padding
Retainer
Trim wire in padding
OKE strip in cover
Seat cover

Fig 15: Bending Retainers Using Special Tool (52 0 050)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.