Seat flip-forward lever

e9Leveque

e9Leveque

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I’m hoping the collective can help here. My car came with only one side (driver) having a knob on the lever that allows the seat to flip forward. On the passenger side the knob is missing. Everywhere I look online there’s only one knob shown. In online parts diagrams it’s hard to see details, and it didn’t QUITE look right but I ordered a set. Sure enough, not correct, and I can’t even get this one to mount on the bare lever.
Anywhere I can find a replacement for this passenger one that’s missing? This is 72 3.0 euro CSi. I know the seats have been reupholstered and I guess it’s possible someone switched this hardware to a non-BMW version, but the surround is correct so I’m suspecting not.
First picture with the shiny knob is what I need, next three picture are what I ended up purchasing, including the part number. And if anyone wants one or two of my “wrong” ones, happy to sell for $10 plus shipping - I think they were $20 each new.
 

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An interesting question. I am grappling with the same issue, though don't have a good answer. I had a respected authority on e9's tell me that there were early and late style knobs and that my '70 2800 should have the early style (I have a late on one side and nothing on the other).

Searching Real OEM, part number 52101823887 shows up as part #5 on this page: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=3425-USA-03-1970-E9-BMW-2800CS&diagId=52_2373 and looks like that round knob in your first picture. Maximillian shows that part in stock at $18.04 on this page: https://www.bmwmobiletradition-onli...5&mospid=47810&btnr=52_2373&hg=52&fg=10&hl=12 though I have learned that what they show as "available" doesn't always correspond with reality. However, when I enter 52101823887 into the Walloth & Nesch site, the photo looks like the more oval-shaped, later style knob in your 2nd - 4th photos. A vintage BMW parts guy, who I respect (Jim at Mesa Performance) says that there is only one type of e9 seat flipping knob (he may mean that there is only one type available).


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To add to the mystery, I’m not sure how the knob I have actually comes off. I’m obviously hesitant to yank on it, but clearly the metal lever portion is different than in later cars, since the knobs I am able to find just don’t even fit onto the lever. I can jam it on there but the moment I pull on it it just twists off. I have looked extensively but can’t get to the bottom of this. Part of the problem is that this isn’t a part with an easily-identifiable name so searching for it is hard. Its name of “handle” on the parts list often brings up either the small portions beside the headrest or the handle that one pulls on to slide the seat forwards or back.
 
And I ordered the part from Maximilian as well as added one to my last order from W&N. All were the “right” part number 52101823887 (see my picture) but weren’t the shiny round knob. That piece must have a different part number. On the realoem site that part is listed as beginning from 02/73 onwards, but the clicking through to the next page includes all e9 vehicles of all years.
 
@HB Chris when I search for the number it just returns the part I’ve already ouchased since the 887 supercedes the 701 part. @rsporsche let is know if you have any. You and I already have a planned email exchange once you’re back for fan parts
 
HB Chris said:
Jay, The 2800CS changed at 2270349 and 2280369.
Click to expand...
Wow, I just snuck into the early range; mine is 2270335. So does that mean that I need the 52 10 1 800 701 "button" knob? And is that part definitely NLA?

The more rectangular, 52101823887 knob does fit onto the lever coming out of my seats, but it binds against the chrome/black trim piece before fully releasing. Works OK without the trim piece, but looks wrong.
 
oooh, that sounds attractive - my daughter has a 3d printer. Do you have a link to the stl file? If so, then I’m happy to print off a bunch of them and send to whomever needs them
 
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jmackro said:
Wow, I just snuck into the early range; mine is 2270335. So does that mean that I need the 52 10 1 800 701 "button" knob? And is that part definitely NLA?

The more rectangular, 52101823887 knob does fit onto the lever coming out of my seats, but it binds against the chrome/black trim piece before fully releasing. Works OK without the trim piece, but looks wrong.
Click to expand...
701 is NLA
 
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