Drivers Seat recline

So i could be blind and not seeing another thread when i search, but I'm guessing my driver seat reclining function breaking is a fairly common issue cuz this is the 2nd e36 of mine to do it. What i need to know is there a fix to get it working again or do i just need to buy a new seat?? I normally wouldnt care but my seat is stuck reclined all the way back and driving just isn't nearly as fun as it used to be. I drive a '98 m3 and could really use some help, thanks guys.

Seat recline fails to operate because a 5 cent plastic gear breaks which of course you cannot get from BMW and is only available at eBay or FCPGroton both around 40 bucks shipped. The repair requires you to remove the seat which is not that hard and then on a work table laying the seat on the side where the gear box is evident replace the gear. I am not going to go into the write up here because it has been covered many times before. I will be doing this after Thanksgiving to my M3 which I have owned going on 11 years. This and the center vent breaking, and brake light switch are the only repairs I have done to my car in this time period.

We can't get a metal gear and will be stuck with the plastic one yet again. It should last a long time but once you see the gear you will not be putting pressure on the seat back when raising it so you don't have to do this again.

What's the little gear called? Seat recliner gear?

never mind, found and ordered one, thanks for the help

I need some more help. I put the new gear in and the seat still doesn't work. If it was just the gear would my motor be silent? Or would it be making noise? Cuz mine is dead silent. Any other help would be nice

Does your power steering wheel adjustment work? On mine when the power seat connection unplugs my steering adjuster also shuts off. I squeeze my hand in and push the plug found on the inside of the door side trim of your seat..Hope this helps....