52 17 400 Removing and installing/replacing seat cover for left or right front seat (comfort)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW 550i, 2009 BMW 550i, and 2008 BMW 550i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove FRONT 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 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

Unclip cover (1) on front seat.

Fig 1: Identifying Cover On Front Seat

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 2: Unclipping Trim

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release retainers in area (1).

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

Remove cable (3).

Fig 3: Identifying Retainers And Seat Cover Area

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Unhook seat cover (1) in area (2).

Disconnect plug connection (3).

Remove seat cover (1) complete with support.

Fig 4: Identifying Seat Cover Area And Retaining Points

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with OC3 mat:

OC3 mat must not be kinked under any circumstances.

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 5: Identifying Longitudinal Wires And Trim Wires

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 6: Identifying Support With OC3 Mat

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Bend new retainers closed with pliers 52 0 050 .

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

Fig 7: Identifying Special Tool (52 0 050)
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacing 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 8: Identifying Trim Threads In Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.