Removal and installation the front seat (BMW 3 Series E46)

Removal

1. Remove the headrest, refer to the relevant section.

2. Move the front seat fully forward and up.



3. Unscrew the mounting bolt "2" and remove the seat belt "1".



4. Unscrew the two rear mounting bolts "3".

5. Move the seat all the way back.



6. Front passenger seat: Remove the first aid kit "4". To do this, lift the brackets "5" on the left and right with a screwdriver. Press the first aid kit down from the front and remove it.



7. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable with the ignition off. The battery is located in the luggage compartment behind the cover on the right side. In BMW 316i, 318i cars, the battery is located in the engine compartment.

Disconnecting the battery will erase the fault memory of some control units. If necessary, read the fault memory before disconnecting the battery. Refer to Section Troubleshooting. It is advisable to carry out the work in a service station.

8. Observe safety precautions when handling the belt tensioner and airbag, refer to Section Power steering (servo control).



9. Disconnect the plug "6" connection at the front under the seat, having first removed the holder "7" from the side.



10. Unscrew nuts "8" and remove with spring washers. First remove covers, if any.



11. Remove the channel with protective covers and carefully remove the front seat.

Removal

12. Carefully install the seat and adjust it so that the holes match.

The mat should not be located in the area where the bolts are attached between the seat tires and the bottom, otherwise noise may occur when driving.

13. Secure the seat at the front with new nuts and tighten them to 55 Nm.

14. Connect the connector under the seat, insert the holder and thus fix the plug.

15. Front passenger seat: Insert the first aid kit with the rear pins into the guides on the seat, press up from the front and secure in the brackets.

16. Connect the negative (-) battery cable with the ignition off. Set the clock.

17. Move the seat fully forward.

18. Tighten the two new rear mounting bolts to 55 Nm.

19. Fasten the seat belt from the outside to a torque of 48 Nm.

20. Install the headrest, refer to the relevant section.

21. Set the clock.

Especially in case of damage to the electric adjustment of the longitudinal position of the seat:

22. Tilt the seat upward using the tilt adjustment mechanism.

23. Unscrew the two bolts securing the seat longitudinal adjustment drive and remove the drive.

24. Turn on the longitudinal adjustment mechanism switch.

• The mechanism does not work: Install a new drive and turn it on. If the mechanism now works, the gearbox is in good condition, replace only the electric motor.
• The electric motor works, the seat does not move: The seat movement gear is faulty, replace it.

25. Disconnect the seat longitudinal adjustment mechanism connector.



26. Loosen the two seat rail mounting bolts at the front and tilt the seat back.

27. Cut the connecting shaft with a large bolt cutter.

28. Unscrew the two mounting bolts and remove the gearbox on the left and right. The seat can then be moved manually.

29. To remove the seat, secure the tires at the front of the frame.

30. Remove the seat and replace the tires.