Retractable Door Handles
MBWorld God!
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Unlike say the W213's grab-handles, that stay relatively tucked in, the W214's retractable handles project out of the body, when extended. That could have unintended consequences like wind noise and buffeting etc. Bottomline, the W214 is designed to stay flush, except when it needs to extend out.......and thus rigging things for the handles to stay extended, may not be the brightest of ideas
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Sep 26, 2025 at 11:36 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2025
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From: NY
2026 E 450, 2021 Dodge Challenger SPWBS, 1987 Buick Grand National
you DO NOT have to swipe them to open the door. that lie was perpetuated by numerous car reviews. all you have to do is touch the indent just like with all previous entry systems on numerous car manufacturers [they probably source the same vendor anyway] and it opens. did on my gle 450 and gls43 and audi s3, and s5 sportback. same on the Infiniti ex 35 and ex 60 I leased and before that the lexus is 350. its exactly the same. touch the button to lock, touch the button to unlock. if the door handles have popped out then you just pull the door. this has NEVER failed on my car.
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Junior Member
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2024 E450 (W214)
After being frustrated with the door handles not popping out when I swipe I think I’ve accidentally stumbled upon a method that works more consistently. I happened to try touching the center section of the door handle with the back of my hand (really the back of my four fingers) and it popped right out. It’s worked consistently every time I’ve tried it since then. I didn’t swipe I just placed the back of four fingers against the door handle and held them there until it pops out. It may be coincidence but hopefully this works for some of you that were having issues with the swiping not working like I was.
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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After being frustrated with the door handles not popping out when I swipe I think I’ve accidentally stumbled upon a method that works more consistently. I happened to try touching the center section of the door handle with the back of my hand (really the back of my four fingers) and it popped right out. It’s worked consistently every time I’ve tried it since then. I didn’t swipe I just placed the back of four fingers against the door handle and held them there until it pops out. It may be coincidence but hopefully this works for some of you that were having issues with the swiping not working like I was.
Hmmm, thank you for bringing this up, reminded me of forum member superswiss' post: https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8977907
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
After being frustrated with the door handles not popping out when I swipe I think I’ve accidentally stumbled upon a method that works more consistently. I happened to try touching the center section of the door handle with the back of my hand (really the back of my four fingers) and it popped right out. It’s worked consistently every time I’ve tried it since then. I didn’t swipe I just placed the back of four fingers against the door handle and held them there until it pops out. It may be coincidence but hopefully this works for some of you that were having issues with the swiping not working like I was.
Do your handles not automatically pop out when you approach? If not, can you describe your situation? Like are your keys sitting close to the car all the time at home? Are you using the digital key? Do you have the issue when at the store and approach the car?
I just can't see why you and several others are having these issues. Every time I walk up to my car, the handles extend and I open the door without any issues. It's really not something I think about. It just works.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2024
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From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
If my car sits for 4 or 5 days with no use, the door handles usually don’t automatically pop out. I have to hit the unlock button on the fob. Otherwise, no problem. I suppose that feature puts itself to sleep after a certain amount of time.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Atlanta
06 E55 Black
you DO NOT have to swipe them to open the door. that lie was perpetuated by numerous car reviews. all you have to do is touch the indent just like with all previous entry systems on numerous car manufacturers [they probably source the same vendor anyway] and it opens. did on my gle 450 and gls43 and audi s3, and s5 sportback. same on the Infiniti ex 35 and ex 60 I leased and before that the lexus is 350. its exactly the same. touch the button to lock, touch the button to unlock. if the door handles have popped out then you just pull the door. this has NEVER failed on my car.
So certain yet so wrong. Multiple presses on the dimple don't work, swiping did.
The system sucks d1ck
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 14
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From: NY
2026 E 450, 2021 Dodge Challenger SPWBS, 1987 Buick Grand National
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Member
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S-class, E450 W214, E350 W214
That is my experience too except I still can extend the door handles by wiping/touching them without having to hit the unlock button on the remote key fob. To me, that is an important aspect since it spares me the nuisance of having to take out the key fob from my pocket to unlock in order to extend the door handles.
Last edited by cruise2024; Sep 28, 2025 at 01:13 AM.
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manu...ency-unlocking
https://www.mercedes-benz-mena.com/i...-door-handles/
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Yes it does BUT I think a major problem is that when people swipe from left to right, they may be ending too close to the lock portion of the handle and thats why I agree with the fact that just a touch in the center is better than a swipe. Swiping is something random internet people made up for themselves. Check out the link from MB. The handle could also be confused if when swiping from right to left if the person starts near the lock button so the car is thinking about locking first. Regardless of the poor logic, the safety issue is how does a person outside the car open the handle in an emergency situation. Would the average person know to pry the handle? NOPE That Tesla has the release inside the car shows just how shortsighted "the smartest man on earth" is, lol.
https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manu...ency-unlocking
https://www.mercedes-benz-mena.com/i...-door-handles/
https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manu...ency-unlocking
https://www.mercedes-benz-mena.com/i...-door-handles/
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
MBWorld God!
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?Edit: I mean, traditional handle MBs have a indent but it is not necessary to touch it to lock. That is meant to be used for the summer convenience feature.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Sep 28, 2025 at 10:46 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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W212 FL
I was contemplating about making a poll on those fancy door handles as well. I think such retractable door handles can't handle (pun intended as you would guess lol ) situation the way traditional door handles do . I miss W212's all the doors with two piece . Those were very lovely to me
Senior Member
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Yes, because Lithium Ion fires burn very hot, and very quickly. Almost explosively.
It can happen. It has happened.
It will likely happen again.
The retractable electronic handles certainly didn’t help.
Electronic upgrades to formerly mechanical controls have their advantages.
That’s until the chips are down, and you need a mechanism to work properly, and without any delay.
That to my mind is one of the biggest advantages to mechanical mechanisms.
It can happen. It has happened.
It will likely happen again.
The retractable electronic handles certainly didn’t help.
Electronic upgrades to formerly mechanical controls have their advantages.
That’s until the chips are down, and you need a mechanism to work properly, and without any delay.
That to my mind is one of the biggest advantages to mechanical mechanisms.
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MBWorld God!
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Police has a device that can disable electrical components during a pursuit immobilizing a suspect's vehicle... If only there is technology that forces doors to be unlocked and all windows to automatically go down during a rescue.
Edit: scratch that... I understand that is complex though and lots of programming is involved, plus might have compatibility issues. As well as require manufacturers to cooperate.
Edit: scratch that... I understand that is complex though and lots of programming is involved, plus might have compatibility issues. As well as require manufacturers to cooperate.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Oct 3, 2025 at 12:56 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
Last edited by L1Wolf; Oct 4, 2025 at 10:15 PM.
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From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
When you say ”usually". How many times does your car sit for 4 to 5 days without being driven? It's not very often for me, but I just drove it for the first time in over days and the handles popped out same as always. The keys say on a hook far away from the car and never moved that entire time. I believe the key goes to sleep after no movement, but wake back up once moved again. Not sure about the car.
It could be the key that goes to sleep and not the car.
Last edited by Hicksra; Oct 4, 2025 at 09:53 PM.
