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Thread: Help identiftying front seats in my E36

  1. #1
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    Help identiftying front seats in my E36

    I have recently obtained a 93 e36 325i coupe. I'm certain the seats have been swapped and I would like to ID them so I can get more info or order proper covers. They a fully manual seats and have no electrical connections that I can find. They have a back that has a groove where the upholstery tucks into.

    Also,is there a bead or some other method to retain the fabric into the groove? Thank you.

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    Tom
    Currently 1995 M3 manual coupe, 1993 325is
    Past cars
    2003 530i
    1998 528i
    1995 530i
    1988 528e
    1988 535i
    1987 2.7i
    1972 2002

  2. #2
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  3. #3
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    Take the back of the seat off, the leather stretches around and hooks on the back. You will see once you get it apart. They look like the standard non sport seats to me.
    CBlock


  4. #4
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    No, they are not. The upholstery goes around the outside of the plastic back and tucks into a groove in the edge of the plastic. Look at the photos, the leather is folded around the outside of the plastic back. Would be nice if they were standard, easy-peasy. Hopefully someone has experience with these.

    Maybe these are 91 seats and BMW figured an easier way later?
    Last edited by h82crash; 05-22-2019 at 11:18 PM.
    Tom
    Currently 1995 M3 manual coupe, 1993 325is
    Past cars
    2003 530i
    1998 528i
    1995 530i
    1988 528e
    1988 535i
    1987 2.7i
    1972 2002

  5. #5
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    03 525it/5, 1967 GTO
    You have early standard seats. I have similar but sport versions. As far as I know, nobody makes replacement covers for them. You’re better off swapping in the later style seats with the hooks as described by Cblock. Here’s what I used to refasten mine after repairing the bolsters and seat heaters.

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...olstery-clamps

  6. #6
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    So it appears a backing is sewn in at the location where it is supposed to tuck in, and the cover the PO has left me with is a later cover. Great.

    Thank you.
    Tom
    Currently 1995 M3 manual coupe, 1993 325is
    Past cars
    2003 530i
    1998 528i
    1995 530i
    1988 528e
    1988 535i
    1987 2.7i
    1972 2002

  7. #7
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    Yes. There is a nylon rib sewn into the perimeter of the seat covers. That tucks into the clam shell casing and is held in place by those metal clips. The design was later changed (I believe mid year ‘95) to the hook system. Bummer about your cover.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    I still believe they were swapped out because the car is wired for powered seats with the connectors laying on the floor under the seats and seat heater switches on the console. It just got a bit more expensive to "bring back" this car. Thanks, Twisty for your help.
    Tom
    Currently 1995 M3 manual coupe, 1993 325is
    Past cars
    2003 530i
    1998 528i
    1995 530i
    1988 528e
    1988 535i
    1987 2.7i
    1972 2002

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