Make sure you disconnect the battery and wait for at least 15-30 minutes before you remove the seats to avoid getting the air bag light in the dash.

Slide the seat back to reveal the front nuts.
You will see black plastic caps to cover them.

Remove the caps

remove the nuts

slide the seat forward to reveal the bolts in the back.

lean the seat back to see the connecting cables underneath

disconnect the grommet holding the wires out of the way

disconnect all the cables and take the seat out.

.

Good post. I would add to mark the cables as a couple seem to be interchangeable IIRC. Also need to engage/disengage the seat belt tensioner...here's a pic. Turn screw CW, indicator turns red (deactivated). When reinstalling ,turn screw CCW, indicator turns green (activated)

I always just unplug the cords under the seats, ive taken my seats out two or three times and never had a problem with the airbag light comiing on.

I always just unplug the cords under the seats, ive taken my seats out two or three times and never had a problem with the airbag light comiing on. Just don't turn on the ignition :(

I want your seats

I don't understand about the seat belt tensioner. I have never done anything with this and I have removed a bunch of seats....can you explain why this is necessary?

I don't understand about the seat belt tensioner. I have never done anything with this and I have removed a bunch of seats....can you explain why this is necessary? Its really only necessary if you will be taking the seats apart or working on them...I've only taken seats out for that purpose. Not knowing why someone would be using your DIY to remove their seats I just threw it in. Takes two seconds and provides safety against the belt tensioning.

Oh cool. Yeah I need to disassemble my seats so I will be sure to disengage that.

good thread old school, this is really no more then a 30 minute swap with the right tools.

So You need not disarm the seat belt tensioner if You're just taking the seat out???

So You need not disarm the seat belt tensioner if You're just taking the seat out??? Not really, but I would.

Do you really need a write up on this. :shifty
I would say if you do, you shouldn't be working on your car.

Do you really need a write up on this. :shifty
I would say if you do, you shouldn't be working on your car.u beat me to it bud

u beat me to it bud This from a guy who greatest contribution to this forum has been "I need this "BMW M Power" sticker" :rolleyes

Of course we do. The more information, the better. Not everyone is as competent as you at DIY stuff. It sure helped me.

The thing is it really can't hurt. So why not?

I can't find a screw or an indicator on mine....95 M3 vaders....any suggestions?

Socket size would help too! :D

16mm --and this will work on the nuts for the backseat belt anchors as well

I regularly take out my passenger seat and back seat for trips to the drag strip --and that alone is enough to put racing seats at the top of my 'to do' list. Power seats are heavy

Check the picture of the socket. The size is etched on there. :)

Check the picture of the socket. The size is etched on there. :)
search terms, paduan search terms....;)

i want to take my seats out but tried doing it a few weeks back and couldnt disconnect the seat belt tensioner so gave up :rolleyes

however i do want to get both seats out so if i undo the bolts first and tilt the seat back will it be easier to remove the seat belt tensioner then, im am in the UK BTW

I dont want to end up locking the seat belt!

will it be easier to remove the seat belt tensioner then Yes.

I think it looks quite risky to disarm the belt tensioner, I mean if I'm not taking the seats apart, just removing them for whatever reason, it would be safer not to touch 'em, or :rolleyes

I think it looks quite risky to disarm the belt tensioner, I mean if I'm not taking the seats apart, just removing them for whatever reason, it would be safer not to touch 'em, or :rolleyes Just turn a screw 1/4 turn is risky :dunno

Just turn a screw 1/4 turn is risky :dunno

I agree. What risk is involved? That screw is made to be turned.
It's like putting the saftey on on a gun.
IMO, it's much more risky to work on a seat that may pop the tensioner unexpectedly at any time.

Well, what I mean is this, see Link (http://www.logun.org/manualseat.htm) it looks like it's easy to loose grip of the sensor wire and make more damage then good, or is it enought to just turn the screw CW to de-active it?? i.e are there two ways of doing it??? :confused

Great write up old skool. To my understanding, older cars (mine being a 93) doesn't have the seat belt tensioner.

Well, what I mean is this, see Link (http://www.logun.org/manualseat.htm) it looks like it's easy to loose grip of the sensor wire and make more damage then good, or is it enought to just turn the screw CW to de-active it?? i.e are there two ways of doing it??? :confused Through 1996 a mechaical spring tensioner is used, and should be deactivated as desribed. 1997 and newer E36's have a pyrotechnic tensioner, and the orange harness connector should be disconnected from the tensioner any time the seat is removed.

You mean 1997 and newer?? Ok I'll have a look and see what I've got, the car is a 92, but has vader seats

You mean 1997 and newer?? Ok I'll have a look and see what I've got, the car is a 92, but has vader seats Yes I do...shouldn't post before the first cup of coffee (or after the tenth beer ;) )

i have removed my passenger seat only at the moment and tried disconnecting the tensioner cable but couldn't disconnect it, does anyone have a picture of the screw that needs to be turned to disarm it, have had no lights pop up on the dash since having the seat out and spoke to someone who also took their seats out and he said if there are no wires underneath the seat connecting it to the car i can just undo the 4 bolts and remove the seat, and thats what i did!

Great post on the seat removal. I have a 2001 525ia series and the seats were used by a "fat guy" prior to me owning the car. The bolsters are shot and I am interested in replacing the front driver seat (only if possible) but need to know best places to search for a used seat same color obviously. Any suggesstions and how much should they be for used? New is too much $$ I see $3600

Is this replacement scenario the same for a 5251a series?

reupholstery is probably your best best. You can replace the cushions by either buying new or used ones, or have them custom made. Then you could refinish the leather or have a new leather piece made or just order one from BMW.

OK....well, my stereo place took out my front seat to put in my amps. Now the airbag light is on, as you stated it would be. Now....how do I get rid of it? I cleared all the fault codes with my Peake tool, but it is still there. Help!
MB

I think there is a method to reset it without going to a dealer or BMW mechanic. It should be listed in the sticky at the top of the E36 forum. I will try to find it and post the link here.

the airbag light needs to be reset by a dealer or BMW as old skool said. There is also the Peake airbag reset tool, which is different tool altogether.

Once the seats are removed, has anyone ever taken them apart. The leather on my seats needs to be replaced and I don't want to buy seat covers which will cover the back plastic of the seat.

i have removed my passenger seat only at the moment and tried disconnecting the tensioner cable but couldn't disconnect it, does anyone have a picture of the screw that needs to be turned to disarm it, have had no lights pop up on the dash since having the seat out and spoke to someone who also took their seats out and he said if there are no wires underneath the seat connecting it to the car i can just undo the 4 bolts and remove the seat, and thats what i did!

Non electric seats you need to disconnect the outer cable housing from the clip on the seat by turning it 90degrees thus preventing the inner cable from releasing the spring in the tensioner. Re-connect cable housing when finished.

and thanks to whoever posted the pic of the screw on the elec seats I looked all over for it and couldn't find it but it looks like you have to get the seat part way out to access the side of the tensioner before you can access the screw or sight glass.

. how do you do this if the car has no power to move the seat back and forward?