Necessary preliminary tasks

• Remove FRONT SEAT .
• Remove OUTER COVER  on front seat.

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

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.

Enabling seat occupancy detector (OC3 mat): 

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

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

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Removing transportation lock: 

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

Fig 2: Identifying Longitudinal Trim Wire

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Unfasten plug connection (1) and disconnect.

Unclip seat heating cable (2).

Disengage seat heating cable (2) from cable holders (3).

Disconnect plug connection for seat occupancy detector (4).

Fig 3: Identifying Plug Connection, Heating Cable, Cable Holders And Seat Occupancy Detector

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

A = Catch, old version

B = Catch, new version

Fig 4: Identifying Plugs And Catches

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Release screw (1).

Remove trim (2) from inside of seat.

Fig 5: Removing Trim

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

Installation: 

If necessary, replace faulty clip.

Fig 6: Identifying Clip

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Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame.

Fig 7: Removing Seat Cover From Seat Frame

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

Fig 8: Pulling Cover Welt From Seat Frame

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

Fig 9: Removing Seat Cover

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Version with seat heater 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 cable (2) out.

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

Fig 10: Identifying Seat Cover And Feed Cable

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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 padding.

Fig 11: Identifying Retainers In Longitudinal Wires And Cross-Wires

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement only: 

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

Fig 12: Identifying Seat Cover Retainers

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Installation: 

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

1. Padding
2. Retainer
3. Trim wire in padding
4. Trim wire in cover
5. Seat cover

Fig 13: Bending Retainers Using Special Tool (52 0 050)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.