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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

52 0 050

See SEATS - SPECIAL TOOLS .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front seat
Remove rear panel on front seat
Remove outer cover
Remove thigh support

US/CDN front passenger seat (with OC3 mat) only:

WARNING: When replacing seat cover:
If seat cover is defective, seat cover and padding with OC3 mat must be replaced together.
New seat cover is supplied with padding, OC3 mat and if necessary seat heating.
When replacing padding or OC3 mat:
If OC3 mat or padding is defective, both parts must be replaced together.
These must be fitted with the seat cover from the car.

IMPORTANT: The OC3 mat must be enabled after each installation operation.

Enabling seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat):

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

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.

Only when replacing OC3 mat with padding:

OC3 mat (1) is secured on the left and right sides in the marked area with a longitudinal trim wire for transportation.

Carefully remove adhesive tape (2).

Fig 1: Identifying OC3 Mat And Adhesive Tape

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing transportation lock:

Carefully release retainers in marked area on left and right from longitudinal trim wires (1).

IMPORTANT: Remove all remainders of retainers from padding and OC3 mat.

Fig 2: Identifying Trim Wires

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lever out clips (1).

Remove seat trim (2) downwards.

Installation:

Replace faulty clips (1).

Seat trim (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 3: Removing Seat Trim Downwards

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Unlock plug connection (1) for seat heating 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 4: Identifying Plug Connection And Wiring Harness

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw (1).

Remove trim (2) from inside of seat.

Fig 5: Removing Trim From Inside Of Seat

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 6: Identifying Seat Cover Clip

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame.

Fig 7: Detaching Seat Cover From Seat Frame

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 8: Pulling Out Cover Welt

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 9: Removing Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with seat heating and/or with seat occupancy detector (OC3 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 10: Identifying Seat Cover And Wiring Harness

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release all retainers in marked area.

Fig 11: Identifying Retainers In Marked Area

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detach all retainers in side area from longitudinal wires.

Pull trim wires forward out of seat cover.

Carefully fold back seat cover and release retainers from crosswires.

Remove seat cover from padding.

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

Fig 12: Identifying Seat Cover Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement only:

Pull trim wires out of seat cover.

Cut new seat cover to size and insert trim wires.

Fig 13: Pulling Trim Wires Out Of Seat Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

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

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

Fig 14: Bending Retainers With Special Tool

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.