E70 Option 451 "Active Seat For Driver" not working

Jon_G · 05-26-2021, 10:22 PM

Hi -

I have a 2012 x5m with option 451 "Active Seat For Driver" - ie, the "butt massager" as it's commonly referred to on most forums. It used to work fine, and all the sudden it stopped. The light still goes on when I press the button, but nothing happens, and the light goes off again on it's own, after about 30 seconds.

Any ideas what's wrong?

The only thing I can think of is that I installed my lux angel eyes that I just bought, and it seems to have stopped working since then. It might be a coincidence though, unless the lux angel eyes are somehow stealing power or causing electrical interference in a way I'm not sure about.

Jon_G · 06-04-2021, 12:57 AM

Update for those interested, it was the motor. Part number 52109122588. Takes about an hour for the install. Not bad.

gkallevig · 10-09-2023, 12:45 PM

Hi Jon_G , I have the exact same thing going on with my 2011 x5. I was going to order that part, but the part# doesn't seem to show in my searching. Closest I could find was: 52109122586 (pump) or 52109162871 (valve unit) on here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=52_3314 .
also, are there any good write-ups on the DIY for this? This was such a rare option I'm thinking not.

heatmizr · 10-12-2023, 08:51 AM

I have this option and have only used it a half dozen times in 8 years. I don't think I would bother to replace a motor for it if it died.
For you both - when it died was the seat in the normal position right?

Colodano · 10-15-2023, 01:35 PM

I have this option, but it has never worked, and when I looked at the price of the parts years ago, they were outrageous. Now there are a bunch of used parts out there, I may actually fix it.
My seat is in the normal position, I assume that the operation is just the pump filling the bladders alternating via the valve, so they just have no pressure when it fails.

05-26-2021, 10:22 PM	#1
Jon_G Private 14 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2006 ZHP 6sp + 2012 X5m Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: St Petersburg, Florida iTrader: (0)	E70 Option 451 "Active Seat For Driver" not working Hi - I have a 2012 x5m with option 451 "Active Seat For Driver" - ie, the "butt massager" as it's commonly referred to on most forums. It used to work fine, and all the sudden it stopped. The light still goes on when I press the button, but nothing happens, and the light goes off again on it's own, after about 30 seconds. Any ideas what's wrong? The only thing I can think of is that I installed my lux angel eyes that I just bought, and it seems to have stopped working since then. It might be a coincidence though, unless the lux angel eyes are somehow stealing power or causing electrical interference in a way I'm not sure about.
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06-04-2021, 12:57 AM	#2
Jon_G Private 14 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2006 ZHP 6sp + 2012 X5m Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: St Petersburg, Florida iTrader: (0)	Update for those interested, it was the motor. Part number 52109122588. Takes about an hour for the install. Not bad.
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10-09-2023, 12:45 PM	#3
gkallevig Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2011 x5 50i Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Hi Jon_G , I have the exact same thing going on with my 2011 x5. I was going to order that part, but the part# doesn't seem to show in my searching. Closest I could find was: 52109122586 (pump) or 52109162871 (valve unit) on here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=52_3314 . also, are there any good write-ups on the DIY for this? This was such a rare option I'm thinking not.
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10-12-2023, 08:51 AM	#4
heatmizr Captain 153 Rep 709 Posts Drives: E70 X5 50i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	I have this option and have only used it a half dozen times in 8 years. I don't think I would bother to replace a motor for it if it died. For you both - when it died was the seat in the normal position right? __________________ heatmizr [Todd] g26 i4 e40 - Clean Machine e70 X5 50i M-Sport "The Boss" Loaded e90 328i - sold e36 M3 - Gone to become a track star
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10-15-2023, 01:35 PM	#5
Colodano First Lieutenant 131 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2010 X5M Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Co iTrader: (0)	I have this option, but it has never worked, and when I looked at the price of the parts years ago, they were outrageous. Now there are a bunch of used parts out there, I may actually fix it. My seat is in the normal position, I assume that the operation is just the pump filling the bladders alternating via the valve, so they just have no pressure when it fails.
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