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400-1 0
Body-General
Seats
4 Anatomically correct seats are constructed from polyure-
10 way seat adjustment thane foam
containing areas or "zones" of different firmness.
They offer good lateral support without constricting the occu-
pant.
The seats have a passive internal ventilation system: Cylin-
drical cavities within the cushions and backrests generate a
pumping effect as the ride motions cause occupant motion.
This
helps remove moisture and feeds fresh air into the seats.
Other features of the seating system:
The seat bases have steel springs for added support and
strength.
The seat control switches are along the outside edge of
the
seat.
Heated seats are an option in all models
In cars equipped with seat position memory, three different
seat confiaurations can be memorized by the seat control
module(s): Seat memory coordinates with outside mirror
memory. These functions are controlled by the seat mem-
ory
module(s).
* For security reasons, the release lever to fold the rear seat
backrest forward is installed in the trunk.
Sport Wagon models: Rear seat
baclts are split 60140, with
the center armrest on the left seat back.
The center armrest incorporates a non adjustable head-
rest. When folded down, the armrest opens out with
cup-
holders and a storage compartment. See 520 Seats for
more details.
instruments and controls
Everything in the interior passengercompartment essential to
the driver is logically grouped and easy to reach. All instru-
ments and controls have been arranged ergonomically and
are fully integrated into the overall design of the vehicle.
Tilt-telescopic steering wheel has
30 mm (1.2 in) of vertical
and longitudinal adjustment.
Multifunction steering wheel contains two
ltey pads con-
taining controls for the sound system, telephone and
cruise control.
Padded dashboard houses the instrument cluster and the
ventilation and heating system.

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Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster uses large easy-to-read analog instru-
ments and is removable as a unit without removing the dash-
board. On-board computer and Check Control functions are
integrated into the instrument cluster displays.
Service Interval Display
Service Interval Display calculates vehicle service needs
based on current driving patterns, and indicates to the driver
when the car requires
service
On-board navigation
An integrated on-board navigation system, based on Global
Positioning System (GPS) technology, is optionally available
on
E39 cars. When installed, a multifunction monitor is includ-
ed in the center of the dash above the radio. in addition to dis-
playing navigation system information, this monitor accesses
On-Board Computerfunctions, audiosystem controls, mobile
phone dialling and memory, and automatic ventilation.
Park Distance Control (PDC)
Park Distance Control (PDC) is an optional system which
uses ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper trim to warn the
driver of approaching too close to obstacles when parlting.
Central body electronics
E39 vehicles are equipped with an integrated complex of
electronic modules connected mostly via K-Bus. This system,
called central body electronics (ZKE
Ill), is primarily con-
trolled by the general module (GM
Ill). An overview of ZKE Ill
functions is found in 600 Electrical System-General. Details
of ZKE
Ill functioning is in the following repair groups:
- 512 Door Windows
* 515 Central Locking and Aniti-Theft
520 Seats
a 540 Sunroof
611 Wipers and Washers
620 Instruments

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Exterior Trim, Bumpers
This repair group includes repair information for the outside
rearview mirrors, front and rear bumpers, and the easily re-
movable exterior trim parts.
Many of the mirror components are separately available from
an authorized
BMW dealer, including the glass and outside .
plastic housing.
The
E39 models offered two types of outside mirrors, stan-
dard mirrors or automatic dip mirrors.
Outside mirror glass, replacing
CAUTIOI\C
Mirrorshould be at or above room temperature before remov-
al.
Othe~lise, small plastic parfs or glass may break.
Outside mirror glass without automatic dip control,
replacing
Insert thin pry tool (plastic or tape-wrapped screwdriver) be-
tween bottom mirror edge and mirror housing and carefully
pry out mirror glass from housing.
If equipped with heated mirrors: remove heating element
har.
ness connectors from back of mirror glass.
Installation: Connect mirror heating harness if equipped.
Ensure correct alignment of locking pins.
Press mirror glass firmly until it
locks in place.

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-.- -
Exterior Trim, Bumpers
Outside mirror glass with automatic dip control,
replacing
4 Slide locking pin (arrow) right to release glass (A).
- If equipped with heated mirrors: remove heating element har-
ness connectors from
back of mirror glass.
4 Install mirror glass by placing glass on lugs (arrows) and turn
loclting pin until glass is locked in place.
Outside mirror housing, removing and
installing
- Remove mirror glass as described above.
4 Compress plastic retainers (arrows)
NOTE-
The front mirror housing is retained by either three or four
clips, depending on model.

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51 0-8
I Exterior Trim, Bumpers
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Carefully slide bumper side panels over mounting brackets
on fenders.
Make sure gap between body and bumper is set to speci-
fications. Adjust height as necessary. See Front bumper
height, adjusting.
If equipped with headlight washers or
park distance control
reconnect hoses and harness.
Tightening torque Bumper to impact absorber
(M10) 41 Nm (30 ft-lb)
Front bumper impact absorber, replacing
To access front bumper mounting bracket and impact absorb-
er mounting hardware remove front bumper cover. See Front
bumper, removing and installing.
4 Remove front bumper impact absorber mounting nuts (A)
and drill out rivets (B).
NOTE-
Install the bumper bracket bolts using thread locking com-
pound.
- Installation is the reverse of removal.
Tightening torques Bumper to impact absorber
41 Nm (30 fl-lb)
Impact absorber to body (6M) 9 Nm (7 ft-lb)
Impact absorber to body (EM) 22 Nm (16 It-lb)

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Exterior Trim, Bumpers
4 Remove bumper mounting nuts (arrows)
- Slide bumper straight off bumper side mounting brackets.
NOTE-
If equipped with PDC (Park Distance Control) remove electri-
cal harness grommet and remove harness.
- lnstallation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Make sure gap between body and bumper is set to speci-
fications. Adjust height as necessary.
To adjust bumper height, loosen bumper mounting nuts (ar-
rows) and adjust height.
Tightening torques
Impact absorber to chassis (ME nut) 20 Nm (15 ft-lb)
Side bracket to body 6 Nm (53 in-it)
Rear bumper impact absorber, replacing
- Raise and properly support vehicle.
WARNING -
Make sure that the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place the jack stands beneath
struc-
turalpoints chassis. Do not place jaclc stands under
suspension parts.
- Remove bumper. See Rear bumper, removing and install-
ing.
- Remove bumper cover expanding rivets and remove cover.
. - . . - . . ".-- < Remove b~mper mpact absorber (6) bot (arrow).
I If necessary, replace mounting seals (C).
- Installation is reverse of removal.

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51 2-2
I Door Windows 1
This repair group covers door glass, window regulator and
power window motor repair information.
CA U JIO&
All E39 models are equipped with side-impact airbags in the
front doors. Some models are also equipped with
airbags in
the rear doors. Be sure to read the
airbag warnings and cau-
tions in 721
Airbag System (SRS).
Electric window switch replacement is covered in 612
Switches.
The windshield, rear window, fixed rear doorglass, and cargo
compartment glass (Sport Wagon only) are bonded using
special adhesives and tools. It is recommended that bonded
glass replacement be done by an authorized
BMW service fa-
cility or an automotive glass installer.
Special tools
Some window repair operations require special tools.
Power windows
- Power window features in E39 models include:
Control of the front and rear door window motors is carried
out directly by the General Module (GM
Ill).
One-touch operation in both directions on all four windows.
Cable type window regulator used for all door windows.
. Anti-trap protection provided by pressure sensitive finger
guard.
Right front and each rear door has a single window switch
located in door handle trim.
Rear door window switches can be deactivated by press-
ing child lock-out switch in the driver's window switch block.
Convenience closinglopening of the windows from driver's
loci( cylinder or convenience opening only from remote un-
lociting feature (FZV) remote key.
Window (FZV) operation can be owner customized with
Car Memory function. See 515 Central Locking and Anti-
Theft.
After ignition is switched off, electric windows can be oper-
ated until a door is opened or until
I6 minutes has elapsed.
The GM
IiI bases window motor end position on current
draw (load). There is a maximum window motor run time of
6 seconds. The motor is then switched off even if the end
position load sensor fails.

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51 2-4
I Door Windows
/ Anti-trap strip
Power window motors
The window motors are mounted on cable regulators. The
window motor control circuit consists of two wires for operat-
ing the motor in both directions.
The motors are activated by relays in the GM
Ill. The relays
provide either power or ground depending on the direction of
window travel. The GM
Ill controls the polarity based on a re-
quest to run the window from a window switch or a conve-
nience
openinglclosing signal.
Convenience openinglclosing
The GM Iii provides the convenience openlclose feature, pro-
viding control of the power windows (and sunroof) from out-
side the vehicle with the key in the driver's door lock. The FZV
(remote key) provides the same function for window opening
only.
Anti-trap protection is active during convenience closing from
the driver's door lock.
If the GM receives a request to operate convenience closing
or opening for more than
110 seconds, the function is deacti-
vated and a
fault code is stored.
Window anti-trap protection
4 A rubber pressure guard is located at the top edge of each
door frame. It consists of two contact strips that close when
subjected to pressure. When the contact strip closes (for ex-
ample, a hand is trapped between the top of the window and
the door frame), an anti-trap signal is sent to the GM
Ill. The
window immediately (within
10 milliseconds) reverses direc-
tion. This feature does not require
initialization.
The E39 pressure sensor finger guard has a resistance of 3
Kw and it is monitored for open circuits. When pressed, the
monitored resistance changes to
< 1 Kw. if anti-trap protection
becomes faulty the one touch window closing will not func-
tion.
Window anti-trap protection is
only active in the one touch
and convenience close modes of operation. If the window
switch is pulled and held, anti-trap protection will not function.
The anti-trap contact strip has a resistance of
1.2 K Ohm and
it is monitored for open circuits. Faults with the anti-trap sys-
tem will cancel the one touch feature requiring the window
switch be held to close the window.