52 16 400 Replacing seat cover for left or right front seat (sports/electric)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 BMW M6, 2006 BMW M6, 2005 BMW 645Ci, and 2004 BMW 645Ci. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

NOTE: For special tools, refer to SEATS - SPECIAL TOOLS - 645CI (E63) .

52 0 050

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

Seat cover must not be separated from padding.

All parts must be replaced completely and released with the diagnosis system in event of defective seat cover, seat heating, OC3 mat or padding.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front seat, refer to 52 14 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/ELECTRIC) .
Remove outer cover with actuating unit, refer to 52 16 040 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING OUTER COVER ON FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT SEAT (SPORTS/ELECTRIC) .
Remove inner cover, refer to 52 13 041 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING INNER COVER ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACKREST (NORMAL/ MANUAL) .

Version with seat heating:

If necessary, disconnect plug connection (1).

Release cable strap (2).

Detach cable (3) from holder (4).

Fig 1: Disconnecting Plug Connection And Releasing Cable Strap

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Detach cable (1) from holder (2).

Fig 2: Detaching Cable From Holder

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Release screw (1) on inside/outside.

Unclip clips (3) towards bottom and pull trim (2) out a little.

Fig 3: Removing Trim

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Release screws (1).

Pull trim (2) out a little and release screw (3).

Release clip (5) from carrier (4).

Remove trim (2) and carrier (4).

Fig 4: Removing Trim And Carrier

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Installation:

Cable holders (1) on carrier (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 5: Identifying Cable Holders On Carrier

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Installation:

Clips (1) on sports seat trim (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 6: Identifying Clips On Sports Seat Trim

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NOTE: The operation "Removing holder for actuation" ends here.

Version with seat occupancy detector:

If necessary, disconnect plug connection (1) from control unit (2).

Fig 7: Disconnecting Plug Connection From Control Unit (Version With Seat Occupancy Detector)

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Version with seat heating:

If necessary, release locks (1) and detach plug housing (2).

Fig 8: Releasing Locks And Detaching Plug Housing

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If necessary, press lock (1) downwards and detach cover (2).

Fig 9: Detaching Cover

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Disconnect plug connection (1) for seat heating from plug housing (2).

Fig 10: Disconnecting Plug Connection For Seat Heating From Plug Housing

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Pull cable (1) out of holders (2).

Fig 11: Pulling Cable Out Of Holders

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E46 only:

Pull out tongue (1) on seat cover (2) on left/right.

Fig 12: Pulling Out Tongue On Seat Cover On Left/Right (E46)

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Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame (2).

Fig 13: Detaching Seat Cover From Seat Frame

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

Fig 14: Pulling Out Cover Welt Completely From Seat Frame

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Fold in ends (1) on seat cover and push through under backrest (2) towards front.

Fig 15: Folding Seat Cover Ends

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Unfasten thigh support and pull completely towards front.

Bend open retaining plates (1) and remove cover piping (2).

Fig 16: Removing Cover Piping

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NOTE: Cushion (1) is secured at front with double-sided adhesive tape (3) to carrier (2).

Pull cushion (1) towards top off carrier (2).

Fig 17: Pulling Cushion Towards Top Off Carrier

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Lever trim wire (1) out of mounts (2).

Fig 18: Levering Trim Wire Out Of Mounts

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Installation:

Stick new double-sided adhesive tape (4) to carrier (3) or attach mount with spray adhesive.

Model without seat heating and without seat occupancy detector:

Remove seat cover (1) with thigh support (2) towards front/top.

Fig 19: Removing Seat Cover With Thigh Support

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Model with seat heating and/or with seat occupancy detector:

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

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

NOTE: The operation "Removing complete seat cushion" ends here.

Fig 20: Removing Cable

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

New seat cover must be completely installed with padding, seat heating and OC3 mat.

Release seat occupancy detector:

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

The operation "Replacing seat cover for front seat" ends here for the above-mentioned vehicles.

Replacing support or sensor mat:

Release clips (1) and (2) at rear left/right from support (3).

Fig 21: Releasing Clips At Rear Left/Right From Support

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Release all clips (1) on left/right and centre (2) from support (3).

Fig 22: Releasing All Clips On Left/Right And Centre From Support

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Version with seat heating:

Installation:

Note routing of seat heater cable (1).

Fig 23: Identifying Routing Of Seat Heater Cable

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Do not damage with clips.

Release all retainers.

Remove seat cover from support (foam rubber section).

Remove all remnants of clips from seat cover and support.

Fig 24: Removing All Remnants Of Clips From Seat Cover And Support

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Remove support (1) from seat cover (2).

Fig 25: Removing Support From Seat Cover

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Version with seat heating:

Installation:

If necessary, detach heating mat (1) from adhesive tape (2) of thigh support.

3 Seat heater cable

Fig 26: Detaching Heating Mat From Adhesive Tape Of Thigh Support

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Stick double-sided adhesive tape (2) to support (1) or coat with spray adhesive.

Fig 27: Sticking Double-Sided Adhesive Tape To Support

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Version with seat heater and/or with seat occupancy detector:

Installation:

Feed seat heater cable (1) through bore hole (3).

Feed seat heater cable (2) through bore hole (4).

Fig 28: Identifying Feed Seat Heater Cable

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Installation:

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

Fig 29: Bending Clips With Special Tool 52 0 050

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Installation:

Support (2) must be coated with wax (1) to prevent grinding noises.

Do not remove wax (1) on support (2).

Fig 30: Identifying Wax On Support

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Passenger seat only (replacing support):

Installation:

Make sure foam is not extensively damaged (malfunction of passenger seat occupancy detector).

Lay sensor mat connection without creasing into groove on support.

Fit new sensor mat (1) for passenger seat occupancy detector.

Align new sensor mat (1) on foam (2).

Feed plug (3) through bore hole (4).

Fig 31: Feeding Plug Through Bore Hole

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Installation:

Detach liner (1) at individual points and stick sensor mat (2) onto foam (3).

Fig 32: Installing Sensor Mat Onto Foam

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NOTE: The operation "Replacing support or sensor mat" ends here.

Replacing seat cover:

Remove trim threads (1) from seat cover (2).

Cut new seat cover (2) to size and insert trim threads (1).

(3) Seat heater cable

Fig 33: Removing Seat Cover

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