Thanks for the clear explanation and taking the time to post this. I wish you had also included steps on removing the seat back leather. I have the sport seats in my own '03 540i and am retrofitting heated seat elements into both the seat bottom and backrest areas. The job requires complete removal of both leathers in order to attach the heating elements directly underneath the leather. I was considering hiring a pro to do the job, but after watching this I may just do it myself.
Thanks for watching. I never took the seat back leather off, but I would imagine the most difficult part is removing the head rest. The leather attaches to the seat frame by hooking into the metal tabs on the back and by hog rings, similar to the seat bottom leather. Before you attempt to remove it completely, try to detach it just enough to get the heating element in place and secure. This leather is old and easy to work with, so that might give you just enough wiggle room.
This is just what I needed. Replacing my lower seat foam with new OEM. But can we talk about your 12 foot long snap on trim clip tool. Never knew those existed!
Thanks for the helpful video. How long did it take you to do the actual job? I'm about to search for a shop to install top and bottom cushions into an old E36 front left seat. Will it cost me a bunch of cash, if I provide the cushions already covered in leather?
Thanks for watching. I remember this job taking me about 2-3hrs just for one seat. I don't know for sure how much it would cost but the labor rate for most shops is around $50 per hour. I'm sure you could call up a place for an estimate so you know what to expect.
I have a question about the plastic trim cover directly underneath the head rest on the top of the seat back cushion. Can that top plastic cover be replaced without tearing down the seats or removing leather?
You should be able to replace it without doing all that. I've never tried to do it on a BMW seat but I've done it before on some Audi seats from the early 2000s. On those you have to release a tab(s) that's accessible with the head rest removed and located on the inside (center) of the trim in question.
That's hard to say without looking at the seat, but I would take the seat back panel off like I did just before I explained how to separate the two halfs. Then see if those levers have come loose somehow. Some of these seats also have bolts instead of levers. They're in the same location just make sure you identify which setup you have. Also. If it just came loose, and nothing else is wrong, you should be able to push it back into place until you hear it click. Then you know it's seated in place.
@@derrickg5612 thanks man, I was gonna follow your video procedure and figure out what the problem was. I just wish your video showed the lever in the seat back. But thanks again
Probably not, but I've never tried so I don't know for sure. A possible problem I could see would be moving the seat bottom around and trying to put it in different positions, so if the back is still on it would make the job that much more difficult. It's really not difficult to take off.
Glad you found it helpful. As you can see I'm not someone who posts videos all the time, so I don't have stands and equipment I can setup to make for a better how to video. Just doing what I can with my phone. Hope it helped you out anyway.
@@derrickg5612 You did good , And this is a very important video because I have searched and search for something like it and yours was the best so far, but all you had to do was put the phone on the chair or ladder or move the seat for the camera angle and show us what to do only because interpretation can be confusing remember " A picture is worth a thousand words" and your word like push,pull,yank, move or anything like that can be different for anyone else. ie.... push= up,down,left,right,in,out,forward, back depending on the angle of perspective, if I'm in front ,side,back of you. And that is the point of showing us.. We are the dumb ones...Try to explain a math equation to me if I don't know what you mean would be pretty hard . Not trying to be a jerk at all, Have a good day man. AND YES IT WAS HELPFUL.-Thanks again!
Yes you can buy them. Another reason why I swapped the leather was because the electrical connector for the original beige seat didn't work with my car. The connector with the black seat did, so I swapped the leather.
@@gettorque The heat connector was NOT interchangeable between the two seat harnesses with different car to seat electrical connectors. But it's easy to splice the harnesses with some male/female spade connectors. There's no risk to doing that, as it's not a sensitive airbag circuit.
@@derrickg5612 yeah, ever heard of wasting time and money? I'm just messing with you. You actually did a great job. How many times have you done a project like this?
@@rickleece6220 Oh my bad. Thanks, this is the first time doing an interior project of my own, but I used to work as an auto technician so I have some experience with this. It can be a pain sometimes.
Thanks for the clear explanation and taking the time to post this. I wish you had also included steps on removing the seat back leather. I have the sport seats in my own '03 540i and am retrofitting heated seat elements into both the seat bottom and backrest areas. The job requires complete removal of both leathers in order to attach the heating elements directly underneath the leather. I was considering hiring a pro to do the job, but after watching this I may just do it myself.
Thanks for watching. I never took the seat back leather off, but I would imagine the most difficult part is removing the head rest. The leather attaches to the seat frame by hooking into the metal tabs on the back and by hog rings, similar to the seat bottom leather.
Before you attempt to remove it completely, try to detach it just enough to get the heating element in place and secure. This leather is old and easy to work with, so that might give you just enough wiggle room.
Good idea, might save me some time and aggravation.
Sir thank you for this video. You are the man.
Your welcome
This is just what I needed. Replacing my lower seat foam with new OEM. But can we talk about your 12 foot long snap on trim clip tool. Never knew those existed!
It's great for removing C-pillar trim.
Dont forget to disconnect the seat belt tensioner cable at the rear bottom side ,has a split pin to hold in place
Thank you man Ive been trying to take the backrest off all day
Kosan Stanojevic,
No problem, good luck with the repair/project.
Thanks for the helpful video. How long did it take you to do the actual job? I'm about to search for a shop to install top and bottom cushions into an old E36 front left seat. Will it cost me a bunch of cash, if I provide the cushions already covered in leather?
Thanks for watching. I remember this job taking me about 2-3hrs just for one seat. I don't know for sure how much it would cost but the labor rate for most shops is around $50 per hour. I'm sure you could call up a place for an estimate so you know what to expect.
I have a question about the plastic trim cover directly underneath the head rest on the top of the seat back cushion. Can that top plastic cover be replaced without tearing down the seats or removing leather?
You should be able to replace it without doing all that. I've never tried to do it on a BMW seat but I've done it before on some Audi seats from the early 2000s. On those you have to release a tab(s) that's accessible with the head rest removed and located on the inside (center) of the trim in question.
@@derrickg5612 Thank you for your response! I have ordered a new trim piece to see how it installs.
@@E39Source Thanks for the content you produce. I've been watching E39Source for years.
@@derrickg5612 Thank you for your support and kind words!
2:15 my seat back has slipped off one of those levers making the seat back unstable. How can I put it back together or do I need to buy a whole seat?
That's hard to say without looking at the seat, but I would take the seat back panel off like I did just before I explained how to separate the two halfs. Then see if those levers have come loose somehow.
Some of these seats also have bolts instead of levers. They're in the same location just make sure you identify which setup you have.
Also. If it just came loose, and nothing else is wrong, you should be able to push it back into place until you hear it click. Then you know it's seated in place.
@@derrickg5612 thanks man, I was gonna follow your video procedure and figure out what the problem was. I just wish your video showed the lever in the seat back. But thanks again
Wouldn't it be easier to fully recline the seat back, and leave it on?
Probably not, but I've never tried so I don't know for sure. A possible problem I could see would be moving the seat bottom around and trying to put it in different positions, so if the back is still on it would make the job that much more difficult. It's really not difficult to take off.
Thanks. Liked the video. However, Never bend the metal clips on the seat frame, lest one snaps off.
Thanks for watching and for the tip.
Great video, dont suppose you still have or would sell the black seat covers? 😅😂
Glad you liked the video. I don't have seat covers anymore. Sold them a couple of years ago.
Cool
Good video, could have a GREAT video if you would have SHOWN us instead of TOLD us. Show how to......
Glad you found it helpful. As you can see I'm not someone who posts videos all the time, so I don't have stands and equipment I can setup to make for a better how to video. Just doing what I can with my phone. Hope it helped you out anyway.
@@derrickg5612 You did good , And this is a very important video because I have searched and search for something like it and yours was the best so far, but all you had to do was put the phone on the chair or ladder or move the seat for the camera angle and show us what to do only because interpretation can be confusing remember " A picture is worth a thousand words" and your word like push,pull,yank, move or anything like that can be different for anyone else. ie.... push= up,down,left,right,in,out,forward, back depending on the angle of perspective, if I'm in front ,side,back of you. And that is the point of showing us.. We are the dumb ones...Try to explain a math equation to me if I don't know what you mean would be pretty hard . Not trying to be a jerk at all, Have a good day man. AND YES IT WAS HELPFUL.-Thanks again!
Can u buy a new cushion?
Yes you can buy them. Another reason why I swapped the leather was because the electrical connector for the original beige seat didn't work with my car. The connector with the black seat did, so I swapped the leather.
@@derrickg5612 And what about heat connector? It works in both ways?
@@gettorque The heat connector was NOT interchangeable between the two seat harnesses with different car to seat electrical connectors. But it's easy to splice the harnesses with some male/female spade connectors. There's no risk to doing that, as it's not a sensitive airbag circuit.
You could do all this, or buy a new car... Time is money
Ever heard of a hobby?
@@derrickg5612 yeah, ever heard of wasting time and money? I'm just messing with you. You actually did a great job. How many times have you done a project like this?
@@rickleece6220 Oh my bad. Thanks, this is the first time doing an interior project of my own, but I used to work as an auto technician so I have some experience with this. It can be a pain sometimes.
Good luck buying a new e39