Necessary preliminary tasks

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2012 BMW 328xi, 2012 BMW 328i, 2011 BMW 328xi, 2011 BMW 328i, and 2010 BMW 328xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove FRONT SEAT
Remove REAR PANEL on front seat backrest

Unclip cable (2).

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

Cut through cable ties.

Raise release clip (3) and pull plug (4) out of plug housing (1).

Fig 1: Pulling Plug From Plug Housing

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Installation:

Always feed in cable tie (1) at narrow end of plug housing in direction of arrow.

Cables must be secured with insulation under cable tie.

Firmly tighten cable tie (1) to relieve strain. It must not be possible to move the cable.

Make sure plug (2) is correctly locked in plug housing (3).

Fig 2: Identifying Cable Tie, Plug And Plug Housing

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Unfasten plug connection (1) and disconnect.

Unclip cable.

Release wiring harness (3) from cable holders on seat mechanism.

Unfasten plug connection (2) and disconnect.

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

Fig 3: Identifying Plug Connections And Wiring Harness

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E81, E82, E88, E92 only:

Unhook seat covers on left and right.

Unclip ball socket (1) from ball head on left and right.

Installation:

Ball socket (1) must snap audibly into place.

Ball socket (1) must be able to move freely on ball head.

Fig 4: Identifying Ball Socket And Guide For Bowden Cable

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Actuate rear catch and remove guide for Bowden cable (2) towards rear with a turning motion.

Unhook backrest cover (1) on left and right.

Release screws (2) on left and right.

Tightening torque 52 10 02AZ .

Remove backrest frame (3) completely towards top.

Fig 5: Removing Backrest Frame

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Replacement:

Remove backrest cover . See 5215405 REPLACING BACKREST COVER FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (SPORT/MANUAL) or 5213405 REPLACING BACKREST COVER FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/MANUAL) with padding.