Soft close doors?

[JBF]

Hey guys,

Still hunting for a used E70-LCI and I wondered what peoples experience is with soft close doors? To me it seems like an unnecessary feature which will wear and break over time - so really a liability. No kids and I'm capable of closing my E53 doors myself so not sure how much it would help.

Questions for those who are in the know:

1) Is the feature like that on some 7-series whereby you can close the door normally without soft-close which only activates when closing the door gently?

2) Can it be disabled or removed without too much hassle/expense or is it quite a major addition/change from standard?


My gut tells me to avoid it but perhaps my lack of knowledge about the feature is misleading me.

Thanks.

JBF.

[heatmizr]

You summed it up.
Yes, you can close the doors gently, or normally. Sometimes if I close the doors normally I still hear the soft-close motor activate. I can't believe it hurts it any to close them normally.
I like it actually, and its better for my kid to close the door from the seat and have it ensure it latches all the way.

The only disadvantage I feel is more mental - I have gotten used to closing the door softly, and like doing so now... but EVERYONE you let ride in the car constantly slams the doors shut which is unnecessary, and you just notice it even more if you have the feature. I don't feel like asking everyone to close the doors gently.

I never looked into disabling it; I don't want to. Maybe someone else here can address if its a matter of pulling a fuse or what.

Totally personal preference. Look, these cars are FULL of little features that can all go wrong. Just add these to the list. If you are that worried about them failing then avoid them.
Hope this helps.

[JBF]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I spoke to the dealership with the approved car I'm considering. The sales guy checked with his technicians and they said it doesn't do any harm to close the door normally. Coupled with your feedback it sounds like soft-close isn't something I need to worry about too much.

Now if the sales guy can flex a bit on price it looks like I may have finally found my new car...

[Ozer]

We have soft close doors? News to me lol (2011 LCI)

[JBF]

It's an option.

I managed to make a deal so looks like I'm picking up my new car this Saturday

[JBF]

Well, one of the soft close latches has broken. Second comfort access handle too. Stupid gadget I knew they would be trouble.

[crystalworks]

Unfortunate.

I agree it's a gadget. And can be annoying to instruct people not to slam doors when they aren't familiar. I'm constantly telling/asking people to close the hatch on the e53 and e61 softly because they have soft close. Pains me every time someone slams it.

But it lasted 8 years, presumably 4 under your ownership. I'd take a soft close optioned truck personally because it usually means they ticked all the other boxes too for the really desirable toys. Repair and enjoy.

PS: Wish we got the 40d and 50d here.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Can be annoying to instruct people not to slam doors when they aren't familiar. Pains me every time someone slams it.

+1000000000