slvrbmw 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Hi guys, is it possible to replace the lower side part of the seat base on the E39? The car I am looking to buy has a broken base by the seat controls. Would be good to know potential cost. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1524 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Hi guys, is it possible to replace the lower side part of the seat base on the E39? The car I am looking to buy has a broken base by the seat controls. Would be good to know potential cost. Cheers Got the E38 one plastic welded by a good welder and now its good as new. Was like $50 to do Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Dave 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 I think this is a common problem on the E39 (along with the cup holders ) I fixed mine and took some photos but when I try and attach photos in this posting I get: "Upload failed. Please ask the administrator to check the settings and permissions" So until I get permission to attach photos, I cant show you my easy way to fix it. I had tried several other fixes beforehand but none of them last well. The current one has been fine for months. At the front of the seat switch block is a blank for a switch that is not fitted. (Hmmm, what switch went in there) I removed this blank and hot glued a steel eye (like a picture frame hook) into it. I used a large eye and completely filled the blank with glue. I put the blank back in the seat and from the outside it looks no different. But it now has a strong anchor point that the plastic switch block can be pulled back in against the seat with. I just used some strong cord and tied it back against the underside of the seat. From the outside there is no visible difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shaneg 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 ^ Just upload pic to www.iforce.co.nz and resize it to 25% if its an iphone pic as it'll be too big, then copy the link that has the tags around it and paste it in a reply Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjac001 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Hi guys, is it possible to replace the lower side part of the seat base on the E39? The car I am looking to buy has a broken base by the seat controls. Would be good to know potential cost. Cheers shouldn't be more than $100 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Dave 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Cheers - we can give that a go So the problem http://iforce.co.nz/i/5hr4fttb.lfo.jpg Take the blank out http://iforce.co.nz/i/w5yrckzk.zhj.jpg Glue in a hook http://iforce.co.nz/i/sxngzmfu.4gq.jpg And tie a tether onto it http://iforce.co.nz/i/3zfzehfs.qda.jpg And all fixed http://iforce.co.nz/i/uhv3fj5o.1gj.jpg ^ Just upload pic to www.iforce.co.nz and resize it to 25% if its an iphone pic as it'll be too big, then copy the link that has the tags around it and paste it in a reply Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shaneg 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) Almost buddy. Put the img tags on the front and back to embed them Edited March 17, 2012 by shaneg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 That's a good idea Dave. I have had mine plastic welded too, twice infact but the second fix has held well. The side cover is generic & also fits E38's which have more seat controls - lumber support etc, which is what the blank is for. These are a crap plastic component, as with a lot of the BMW plastics - my understanding the recycled componentry requirements in Europe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Dave 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Even if you have an E39 that has not broken this plastic, this fix would reduce the risk of it breaking in the future. Thanks for the "E38 generic" info Grant. There is another unused blank at the rear of the plastic. If I can find an original switch to go in that hole, I would consider putting my garage door opener inside the seat and wiring it to that switch. (At present my complete garage door opener sits in the door side pocket) That's a good idea Dave. I have had mine plastic welded too, twice infact but the second fix has held well. The side cover is generic & also fits E38's which have more seat controls - lumber support etc, which is what the blank is for. These are a crap plastic component, as with a lot of the BMW plastics - my understanding the recycled componentry requirements in Europe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Even if you have an E39 that has not broken this plastic, this fix would reduce the risk of it breaking in the future. Thanks for the "E38 generic" info Grant. There is another unused blank at the rear of the plastic. If I can find an original switch to go in that hole, I would consider putting my garage door opener inside the seat and wiring it to that switch. (At present my complete garage door opener sits in the door side pocket) I've got this for a garage door opener - OEM option from the US Need to check the frequency your garage door is the same as this unit. I can't remember the two frequencies offhand (300... & 400...) but I understand the US generally use the opposite to us. Just so happened that our door was the same as the US spec unit so was all good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan 295 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 You may need to check the bolster on your seat also as these flatten out over time with the force applied to them as you get in and out of the vehicle. This in turn puts pressure on to the plastic cover resulting in them braking and they are not cheep to replace new from the dealers. Also be careful if you have to remove the seat control knobs as these have a habit of braking off real easy, the main back and forward one I found to give the most trouble I wish you luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1260 Report post Posted March 17, 2012 have some new seat plastic side bits if needed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Dave 0 Report post Posted March 20, 2012 Just testing to see if I can imbed those photos [/url] So the problem [/url] Take the blank out [/url] Glue in a hook [/url] And tie a tether onto it [/url] And all fixed [/url] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Dave 0 Report post Posted March 20, 2012 Oooops didn't mean to put the South Pole one in there (No BMWs down there that I saw) but at least I got the picture thing sussed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2377 Report post Posted March 20, 2012 good idea, wont work on motorsport seats though as they use that "blank" for the thigh bolster adjustment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
