Swapping manual for electic seat bases - I'm stuck...

[a11y]

I'm looking for a few pointers as to how to proceed with this...

My Z4 currently has electric, non-heated seats. I've acquired a pair of manual (non-electric) heated seats, plus the required switch panel.

I've got both my current seats out of the car, intending to swap the bases over with the end result that I have electric, heated seats. But I'm unable to figure out how to separate the bases from the seats. I can see one torx (6-point splined) bolt either side at the front, and also two torx bolts each side on the rear of the base - removing these appears to let the base seat cushion loose. But I can't remove it because the back panel is in the way.

There's a large (T60?) torx bolt either side of the seat - do these need to be removed for what I'm trying to achieve?

I'm a bit stuck because:

1) I'm not exactly sure if the bits I'm removing/swapping are the correct way to go.

2) the biggest torx bit I have is a T40 and I've got no idea what size the torx bolt is? Plus I tried locally but nowhere could sell me anything bigger than a T40 anyway.

Can anyone help me by confirming what bolts/screws I need to undo to separate the bases to allow me to swap a manual for electric base, and also what size and where to get a suitable torx bit if that's what I need?

Cheers
Ally

 

[AlanJ]

This site does up to T70;

http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/subprod/torx-insert-bits-0002047.aspx

 

[adey]

hi ally you need to remove the 2 large torx bolts at the bottom of the backrest on the heated ones don't forget to disconnect the electric lead for the heated elements once those large bolts are out the backrest should just pull up then you will be able to pull the seat base up and off

 

[PawnSacrifice]

Have an idea how you can find out the size you need (if Adey doesn't know) - call BMW parts! If they don't want to be used as a reference centre just pretend someone has rounded one off and you need another!

Halfords do up to a T55...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_167858_langId_-1_categoryId_165572
Not sure if you have one locally to you.

 

[a11y]

Thanks Alan and Hi Adey

I guessed it was those large torx bolts - damn, I don't have a bit to do that. I've actually gone ahead and bolted the manual electric seats (Adey's old seats ) into the car for the moment. Partly to make sure my switch unit works (warming up as we speak) and partly because I can live without electric adjustment until I locate a big torx bit.

Can anyone confirm exactly what size of torx bit that big torx bolt requires?


(on a side note, my neighbour just suggested I fit my "old" non-heated seats into my VW van lol. He actually has a point: I've currently got 3 seats across the front but am after 2 individual seats as part of my camper conversion. If I locate or have some suitable bases manufactured then I'm doing it! Z4 seats in a VW Transporter, watch this space )

Oh, and cheers PawnSacrifice - I'll maybe try them on Monday if I don't find a size by then.

 

[adey]

sorry mate don't know the exact size i used an old set of torx nut keys i brought a few years ago i think there was about 7 in the set from halfrauds or a market can't remember glad its all working though shows pre 04 is all wired up to go

 

[adey]

its a good job i don't chuck nothing out just found the holder for the torx keys and checked it with the bolts on the seats and the size is t40

 

[a11y]

Excellent - cheers Adey!

 

[cj10jeeper]

a11y
Guess by now you will have sorted the back out.

When you get to the squabs the fun will start working out which of the torx holds it in. You'll need to remove 2 at the front then that lifts up and the rear edge unhooks. Take great care to ensure you replace the plastic tubes on the hooks as they stop the seat creaking. without you'll remember you should have checked every tome you sit in the car

 

[a11y]

Thanks cj10jeeper

I've successfully installed the manual/heated seats for the moment until I get my hands on the correct sized torx bit. I definately figured out there were two torx bolts either side at the front of the squab that needed undoing, but I'd also loosened off four torx bolts - two either side - on the rear of the squab (from behind).

I'll remember that about the plastic tubes

 

[Dreamer]

I'll be doing this next week so any pictures along the way will be really helpful ally!!

 

[a11y]

I'll do what I can

Although it's been sooooo fecking cold the last couple of days that I've not been hanging around doing the work so far!

I've found out my local Halfords sells some torx bits so will pay them a visit tomorrow along with a Z4 seat in the back of my van. I've got to wait in for a courier tomorrow now anyway so I hope to get cracking on the swap over then.

 

[Bradders75]

Ally

I've just bought some heated M Sport seats. My standard seats are currently non-heated. Do you happen to know if the new heated ones will just be a case of plug-an-play if I buy a switch panel?

Thanks

 

[rob davey]

Ally

I've just bought some heated M Sport seats. My standard seats are currently non-heated. Do you happen to know if the new heated ones will just be a case of plug-an-play if I buy a switch panel?

Thanks

It depends how old your car is - the facelift ones definately need the wiring as well as i have done mine

 

[Bradders75]

Ally

I've just bought some heated M Sport seats. My standard seats are currently non-heated. Do you happen to know if the new heated ones will just be a case of plug-an-play if I buy a switch panel?

Thanks

It depends how old your car is - the facelift ones definately need the wiring as well as i have done mine

Mine is an August 2003 (03 plate), does that mean I'm in luck? :?

 

[a11y]

Yep, you should be fine. Mine's a 54-plate October 2004 prefacelift and it's pre-wired for the usual stuff: cruise control, heated seats, etc.

I just spent a large part of the day switching bases over - totally knackered - but it was worth it. I've gone from non-heated electric memory seats to heated electric memory seats (non M seats). Very sore fingers! I've not taken any pics (sorry Dreamer) because it was soooooo cold plus I was swearing too often, but I'll do a write up if it helps folk.

I'm now left with a set of standard black leather non-heated non-electric Z4 seats and wondering what I can do to fit these into my van

 

[Dreamer]

Hi Ally, no worries about the pics

Im wondering if i can start this tommorow, basically the question....

I need the car for the next couple of days and wondered if it was possible to drive the car without a passenger seat and no alarms going of?? If so this means i can get cracking on one seat in my warm living room whilst the car is still driveable.

CJ - if your reading, On the set of manual M sports seats I have the extending back-of-the-knee panel is manual. How does this transfer to standard seat electric bases??

I'll take pictures and put them up here when i get stuck as they always say 'a thousand words'.

 

[PawnSacrifice]

Yep, you should be fine. Mine's a 54-plate October 2004 prefacelift and it's pre-wired for the usual stuff: cruise control, heated seats, etc.

Excellent work... so, was the switch panel just a simple plug in as well? Was that an eBay job in the end as well?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Hi Ally, no worries about the pics

Im wondering if i can start this tommorow, basically the question....

I need the car for the next couple of days and wondered if it was possible to drive the car without a passenger seat and no alarms going of?? If so this means i can get cracking on one seat in my warm living room whilst the car is still driveable.

CJ - if your reading, On the set of manual M sports seats I have the extending back-of-the-knee panel is manual. How does this transfer to standard seat electric bases??

I'll take pictures and put them up here when i get stuck as they always say 'a thousand words'.

Dreamer.
If you switch on the ignition witht he passenger seat out you'll trigger and airbag warning light and need the dealer to reset it :thumbsdown: (Seatbelt pretensioner and/or the passenger airbag occupancy sensor)

The front thigh support is an integral part of the seat squab. No need to separate the 2 parts (if indeed you could) Take the whole pan out in one piece.

 

[a11y]

Yep, you should be fine. Mine's a 54-plate October 2004 prefacelift and it's pre-wired for the usual stuff: cruise control, heated seats, etc.

Excellent work... so, was the switch panel just a simple plug in as well? Was that an eBay job in the end as well?

Yep, simple plug and play for the switch panel too. I bought a second-hand one from US ebay and had it shipped over - only difference was it's black rather than grey finish but I don't notice, plus the DSC button was labelled DTC instead - I just swapped the DSC button into it though to retain the UK appearance

Still haven't actually driven the car to test my cruise control yet...