52 16 400 Replacing Seat Cover For Left Or Right Front Seat (Sports/Electric)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 16 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW 325Ci, 2005 BMW 325xi, 2005 BMW 325i, 2005 BMW 325Ci, and 2004 BMW 325xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

52 0 050

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front seat, refer to 52 13 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/MANUAL)
Remove outer cover with actuating unit, refer to 52 16 040 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING OUTER COVER ON FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT SEAT (SPORTS/ELECTRIC)
Remove inner cover, refer to 52 13 041 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING INNER COVER ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACKREST (NORMAL/ MANUAL)

WARNING: US/CND front passenger seat (with OC3 mat) only:
To avoid damaging the OC3 mat, it is essential to carry out the following operations with extra care.

When replacing seat cover:

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

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

When replacing support with OC3 mat:

If OC3 mat or support is defective, both parts may only be replaced together. These must be fitted with the seat cover from the car.

Enabling seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat):

Connect BMW diagnosis system
Release seat occupancy detector
Clear fault memory if necessary

Version with seat heating:

If necessary, disconnect plug connection (1).

Fig 1: Removing Cable From Holder

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release cable strap (2).

Detach cable (3) from holder (4).

Detach cable (1) from holder (2).

Fig 2: Detaching Cable From Holder

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw (1) on inside/outside.

Fig 3: Locating Screw & Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unclip clips (3) towards bottom and pull trim (2) out a little.

Release screws (1).

Fig 4: Removing Trim And Carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull trim (2) out a little and release screw (3).

Release clip (5) from carrier (4).

Remove trim (2) and carrier (4).

Installation:

Cable holders (1) on carrier (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 5: Identifying Cable Holders On Carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Clips (1) on sports seat trim (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 6: Identifying Clips On Sports Seat Trim

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: The operation "Removing holder for actuation" ends here.

Version with seat occupancy detector:

If necessary, disconnect plug connection (1) from control unit (2).

Fig 7: Disconnecting Plug Connection From Control Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with seat heating:

If necessary, release locks (1) and detach plug housing (2).

Fig 8: Releasing Locks And Detaching Plug Housing

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If necessary, press lock (1) downwards and detach cover (2).

Fig 9: Detaching Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disconnect plug connection (1) for seat heating from plug housing (2).

Fig 10: Disconnecting Plug Connection For Seat Heating From Plug Housing

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull cable (1) out of holders (2).

Fig 11: Pulling Cable Out Of Holders

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

E46 only:

Pull out tongue (1) on seat cover (2) on left/right.

Fig 12: Pulling Out Tongue On Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame (2).

Fig 13: Removing Seat Cover From Seat Frame

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 14: Pulling Out Cover Welt From Seat Frame

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fold in ends (1) on seat cover and push through under backrest (2) towards front.

Fig 15: Pushing Ends Under Backrest Towards Front

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unfasten thigh support and pull completely towards front.

Fig 16: Removing Cover Piping

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bend open retaining plates (1) and remove cover piping (2).

NOTE: Cushion (1) is secured at front with double-sided adhesive tape (3) to carrier (2).

Pull cushion (1) towards top off carrier (2).

Fig 17: Pulling Cushion Off Carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lever trim wire (1) out of mounts (2).

Fig 18: Levering Out Trim Wire

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Stick new double-sided adhesive tape (4) to carrier (3) or attach mount with spray adhesive.

Model without seat heating and without seat occupancy detector:

Remove seat cover (1) with thigh support (2) towards front/top.

Fig 19: Removing Seat Cover With Thigh Support

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Model with seat heating and/or with seat occupancy detector:

Pull seat cover (1) forward a little and feed cable (2) out.

Fig 20: Feeding Cable Out

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

NOTE: The operation "Removing complete seat cushion" ends here.

Replacing support or sensor mat:

Release clips (1) and (2) at rear left/right from support (3).

Fig 21: Releasing Clips At Rear

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release all clips (1) on left/right and centre (2) from support (3).

Fig 22: Releasing Clips On Left/Right And Centre

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with seat heating:

Installation:

Note routing of seat heater cable (1).

Fig 23: Identifying Routing Of Seat Heater Cable

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Do not damage with clips.

Version with OC3 mat:

OC3 mat must not be kinked under any circumstances.

Detach all retainers in side area from longitudinal wires (1).

Fig 24: Removing Seat Cover From Support

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 support.

IMPORTANT: Remove all remnants of clips from seat cover and support.

Remove support (1) from seat cover (2).

Fig 25: Removing Support From Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with seat heating:

Installation:

If necessary, detach heating mat (1) from adhesive tape (2) of thigh support.

3 Seat heater cable

Fig 26: Removing Heating Mat From Adhesive Tape Of Thigh Support

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Stick double-sided adhesive tape (2) to support (1) or coat with spray adhesive.

Fig 27: Sticking Double-Sided Adhesive Tape To Support

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with seat heater and/or with seat occupancy detector:

Installation:

Feed seat heater cable (1) through bore hole (3).

Fig 28: Feeding Seat Heater Cable Through Bore Hole

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Feed seat heater cable (2) through bore hole (4).

Support with OC3 mat.

IMPORTANT: No retainer remainders may be fitted as well. Handle OC3 mat with extreme care. Do not kink OC3 mat. Do not clamp OC3 mat. OC3 mat must lie without folds under seat cover.

Installation:

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