52 13 400 Replacing seat cover on left or right front seat (normal/manual)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 12 other vehicles, including the 2008 BMW 335xi, 2008 BMW 335i, 2008 BMW 328xi, 2008 BMW 328i, and 2007 BMW 335xi. 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
Remove Rear Panel on front seat backrest
Remove outer cover on front seat

WARNING: US/CDN 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.

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

Enabling seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat):

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

Version with seat heating only:

Unfasten plug connection (1) and disconnect.

Disconnect cable straps.

Release wiring harness (2) from cable holders on seat mechanism.

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

Fig 1: Identifying Seating Heat Wiring Harness And Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw (1).

Remove trim (2) from inside of seat.

Fig 2: Identifying Seat Trim And Retaining Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clip.

Fig 3: Identifying Seat Cover Clip

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Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame.

Fig 4: Identifying Seat Cover

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

Fig 5: Identifying Seat Cover Welt

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

Fig 6: Identifying Seat Cover

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Version with seat heater and/or with seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat):

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

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

Fig 7: Identifying Seat Cover And Feed Cable

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Replacing seat cover:

Version with OC3 mat:

OC3 mat must not be kinked under any circumstances.

Carefully 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 support.

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

Fig 8: Identifying Seat Cover Trim Wires And Cross-Wires

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Support (1) with OC3 mat (2).

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.

Fig 9: Identifying Seat Support And OC3 Mat

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Replacement only:

If necessary, cut new seat cover to size and insert trim threads.

Fig 10: Identifying Seat Cover Cutting Dimensions

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Installation:

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

Support
Retainer
Trim thread in support
Trim thread in cover
Seat cover

Fig 11: Identifying Support, Retainer, Seat Cover And Special Tool (52 0 050)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.