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Subject: How to replace the Seat Trim on an e38 (For those who love pics!) Author: hgjacobsen as IBHenry : member since May, 2007 : 6568 posts Posted on: 2008-02-07 23:36:49

This may just be a boring write up, but, you all me by now, I like to share! So Edwin stayed at my house and made fun of my broken seat trim...and it's been on my mind that I needed to replace it. Off to the dealer for a set of front seat trims for $37.50 in the correct color.
And here it is...

Starting point, look at broken trim...


Look at the torx head screw at the front...


Move broken trim to the side to access torx screw..



Screw out...


Popping the lower front push pin (there are 3 pins, front lower middle and rear)...


Accessing the top torx screw...





Screw out with a bot of broken trim...


Popping the rear pin...

Time to remove the switches, gently slide a flat head screwdriver behind these two switches and pop out...



Should look like this...


Behind those two switches is a one piece module, held in by 4 anchors, pry on the anchors and pull on the module at the same time, until it releases...



Onto the round switch, this switch is held in with a cover...

Press on this anchor until it slides downward..



Once the cover is off, this switch needs to be pried inwards and then can be pulled out from the back...





Onto the headrest switch, this switch has a sliding plug in harness...




Once off pop it out through the top...



Now put all your switches into the new trim cover, install all the push pins..


When putting it together, I found if you pop in the front push pin first, it helps the assembly process.


Screw in the front torx screw...


Pop in the lower push pin...


Screw in the top torx...


and then pop in the last hard to reach, but doable push pin and your done!!!

"No matter where you go, there you are."
2001 BMW 740iL

Mods: New cluster from BMWNA!, Quad taillights, Cross drilled rotors and ceramic pads all the way around, new Traction struts & Control arms=No shimmy! Angel Eyes, done!

• How to replace the Seat Trim on an e38 (For those who love pics!) (pic) (url) - IBHenry 2008-02-07 23:36:49 (6078 views)
  • Nice. e38.org material. (nt) - rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-02-09 00:04:13 (146 views)
    • Thanks Robert! (nt) - IBHenry 2008-02-09 00:15:16 (121 views)
  • My pass seat used to make a whining sound, so I lubed it (SDmike reminded me)! (pic) (url) - IBHenry 2008-02-08 23:25:50 (247 views)
    • Edwin, sorry I misspelled your name! - IBHenry 2008-02-08 23:30:38 (121 views)
  • Re: - stas 2008-02-08 22:12:44 (113 views)
    • I used needle nosed pliers to pop the pins out, I pushed from behind the trim... - IBHenry 2008-02-08 22:15:48 (157 views)
  • I love pics..But I got lost too many, lol (nt) - snitch740i 2008-02-08 20:05:27 (132 views)
    • more is better than not enough... (nt) - IBHenry 2008-02-08 21:30:37 (119 views)
  • Geez! Flame on!! Give me some credit! - IBHenry 2008-02-08 18:33:02 (97 views)
    • No good deed goes unpunished - sometimes... - WTH 2008-02-08 19:47:13 (123 views)
  • Aaaaaaa, vacum them seats - ha,ha,ha - szos 2008-02-08 18:11:43 (114 views)
    • Taking pictures in darkness, thank goodness for the flash! - IBHenry 2008-02-08 18:38:11 (112 views)
  • You left out 'clean switches before replacing' :-) (nt) - kc314 2008-02-08 17:35:26 (132 views)
    • yeah...those things are gnarly (nt) - SDmike 2008-02-08 18:06:28 (120 views)
  • Not long before it breaks again :-( (nt) - bugs1357 2008-02-08 16:55:26 (187 views)
    • I'll be exta careful, 'twas broke when I got it! - IBHenry 2008-02-08 18:37:02 (139 views)
  • you need to trim those fingernails boy! (nt) - ian 2008-02-08 16:08:58 (146 views)
    • and clean under them! (nt) - SDmike 2008-02-08 18:06:12 (108 views)
  • Slacker! next time do it BEFORE I come and visit! and were is the After shot?? (nt) - Edwin 2008-02-08 15:52:21 (119 views)
    • Edwin, if it wasn't for you, I'd still be waiting to do this! - IBHenry 2008-02-08 18:35:39 (118 views)
      • HELLLLLLO??! Were is the after pics when it's all done?!?! (nt) - Edwin 2008-02-09 04:28:42 (122 views)
        • Sheesh man! I'll post one later! (nt) - IBHenry 2008-02-09 10:15:03 (114 views)
  • Nice pics Henry..............Love that trim color. (nt) - beechy 2008-02-08 15:50:56 (130 views)
  • Nice job, great pics, E38.org? (nt) - 750il96erbill 2008-02-08 15:19:02 (138 views)
    • Affirmative! (nt) - DavidC 2008-02-08 16:57:24 (119 views)
      • David, thanks for moving my post! (nt) - IBHenry 2008-02-08 21:31:04 (117 views)
        • Re: David, thanks for moving my post! - paulcalif 2008-02-08 22:28:46 (118 views)