Soft-Close Doors
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18
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2014 GL450, 2013 Mini Roadster Previous: LR4, Avalanche, Evoque, Q56, XC-90, H3
Soft-Close Doors
I know it's been talked about but what is consensus on the soft close door addition. The future GL450 would be used 80% of the time by just adults. Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
I have the soft close doors. While it's nice, if you don't have soft close on other vehicles or have been living without them for years, you probably won't get much value from it because you already close them hard enough.
I've found sometimes when I have my hands full and can't close them hard it's convenient to have them close themselves, but rarely take advantage of it.
If you have kids, or people in your family that aren't as big of brutes as me, it's probably a handy feature.
I've found sometimes when I have my hands full and can't close them hard it's convenient to have them close themselves, but rarely take advantage of it.
If you have kids, or people in your family that aren't as big of brutes as me, it's probably a handy feature.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
GL350
I originally had it on my car, but removed the option for 2 reasons:
(1) Just in case my kids get their hands stuck in between, I don't want it to close shut on them. I know this is unlikely, but just in case.
(2) I've read on the forums that when it breaks down (and it seems to happen often), you cannot even close the door until you disable the function at the dealer. I would have considered it if you can at least just close the door manually, but this will require you to have the car towed to the dealership to get it fixed.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...h-problem.html
Please correct me if I'm wrong about this, anyone.
(1) Just in case my kids get their hands stuck in between, I don't want it to close shut on them. I know this is unlikely, but just in case.
(2) I've read on the forums that when it breaks down (and it seems to happen often), you cannot even close the door until you disable the function at the dealer. I would have considered it if you can at least just close the door manually, but this will require you to have the car towed to the dealership to get it fixed.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...h-problem.html
Please correct me if I'm wrong about this, anyone.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
I have the soft close doors. While it's nice, if you don't have soft close on other vehicles or have been living without them for years, you probably won't get much value from it because you already close them hard enough.
I've found sometimes when I have my hands full and can't close them hard it's convenient to have them close themselves, but rarely take advantage of it.
If you have kids, or people in your family that aren't as big of brutes as me, it's probably a handy feature.
I've found sometimes when I have my hands full and can't close them hard it's convenient to have them close themselves, but rarely take advantage of it.
If you have kids, or people in your family that aren't as big of brutes as me, it's probably a handy feature.
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 4
From: Midwest
2013 CLS550 4Matic; 2014 GL350; 2015 GL63; 2016 GTS; 2021 G63
I had this feature on my S class and the motor died on the driver door. I was still able to close the door and have the dealer fix it on an elective basis. So, I am jot sure if you really need to get the car towed to the dealer immediately for repair.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 8
From: San Diego, CA
08 E63 Arctic White/Black
i have it as well and it was included as part of the standard packages on the MY13 550.
would i "buy" it again as a standalone option (is it $500-$550 now)? probably not. it's cool but not necessary. i have noticed on the X166 the doors are heavier and less tinny than the X164, so closing the doors manually has been a breeze. on the X164, it was probably more than 50% of the time that the doors didn't close on the first try and it drove me nuts. but now that I know that the X166 doors are better and heavier, i don't think soft close is that important. i would say on a weekly basis, the soft close activates 2-3x? that number is between my young boys and us using the car. so really it doesn't have to be utilized too often.
would i "buy" it again as a standalone option (is it $500-$550 now)? probably not. it's cool but not necessary. i have noticed on the X166 the doors are heavier and less tinny than the X164, so closing the doors manually has been a breeze. on the X164, it was probably more than 50% of the time that the doors didn't close on the first try and it drove me nuts. but now that I know that the X166 doors are better and heavier, i don't think soft close is that important. i would say on a weekly basis, the soft close activates 2-3x? that number is between my young boys and us using the car. so really it doesn't have to be utilized too often.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 382
Likes: 20
From: Cincinnati, OH
2021 GLS580 all black. 2014 GLK black (kids car). formerly: 2014 GL550 Palladium Silver (US)
I have a US MY14 550 and just realized the other day that I had it. It's a pretty subtle close - the door has to be all the way at the frame before it sucks in. I think all it does is avoid those occasional times when there's an alert from a door not closed. If that happens to you all lot on your cars today, you might want it. But I wouldn't pay extra for it for myself.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 8
From: San Diego, CA
08 E63 Arctic White/Black
forgot to say -- it is pretty cool ... this is my first car with soft close and it's pretty nifty. it sort of makes me feel like yes, this $90k car has a ton of stuff.
but again, if i had to buy a GL tomorrow and it didn't have that feature, it would NOT be a deal breaker like keyless go or lighting package.
but again, if i had to buy a GL tomorrow and it didn't have that feature, it would NOT be a deal breaker like keyless go or lighting package.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
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A gaggle of MB's
Initial production/delivery of the 1st production GL's did have a "issue" with soft-close - and the 1st units were to be held at the dealer at that time until a software fix was fanned out thru Star system..
Since that 1st/unit issue - there has been no ongoing problems with soft close that I have been made aware of.
Espcecially of use if you have snoozing kids in the car - at at the price - kindof slick really..
Since that 1st/unit issue - there has been no ongoing problems with soft close that I have been made aware of.
Espcecially of use if you have snoozing kids in the car - at at the price - kindof slick really..
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
07 S550
forgot to say -- it is pretty cool ... this is my first car with soft close and it's pretty nifty. it sort of makes me feel like yes, this $90k car has a ton of stuff.
but again, if i had to buy a GL tomorrow and it didn't have that feature, it would NOT be a deal breaker like keyless go or lighting package.
but again, if i had to buy a GL tomorrow and it didn't have that feature, it would NOT be a deal breaker like keyless go or lighting package.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
14' 550GL, 14' 350E Wagon, 82' 380SL
As for kids and hands getting stuck - as mentioned here the door has to be on its latch for this feature to work, so the risk is very low from those accidents ever happening due to the soft close function. I see it more as a time saver and safety feature, having the kids locked in ready to go and then finding out one door is not locked, having to stop, walk out...
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
BMW X6M
I would say get it and you will definitely enjoy it. I have it and love the feature. I think all of the concerns about it are completely overhyped. It is very convenient and enjoyable, especially if you have kids. One of my favorite options for sure.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
'06 S65 AMG W220 12.31@119_MPH (Stock)
I originally had it on my car, but removed the option for 2 reasons:
(1) Just in case my kids get their hands stuck in between, I don't want it to close shut on them. I know this is unlikely, but just in case.
(2) I've read on the forums that when it breaks down (and it seems to happen often), you cannot even close the door until you disable the function at the dealer. I would have considered it if you can at least just close the door manually, but this will require you to have the car towed to the dealership to get it fixed.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...h-problem.html
Please correct me if I'm wrong about this, anyone.
(1) Just in case my kids get their hands stuck in between, I don't want it to close shut on them. I know this is unlikely, but just in case.
(2) I've read on the forums that when it breaks down (and it seems to happen often), you cannot even close the door until you disable the function at the dealer. I would have considered it if you can at least just close the door manually, but this will require you to have the car towed to the dealership to get it fixed.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...h-problem.html
Please correct me if I'm wrong about this, anyone.
I took it to the dealer to possibly have them repair the soft close function and they wanted almost $1000 for the repair. I said no thanks!
I did some research and found out that the mechanism is vacuum pneumatic operated. After tearing my door panel apart and got to the soft close vacuum motor, I found a plastic cap part of the vacuum motor had broken. I was able to find this part on ebay for less than $100. I ordered it and replaced the faulty part and the soft close function works again! I can not believe the money I saved not letting the dealer do the work!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 8
From: San Diego, CA
08 E63 Arctic White/Black
that is a good point. we have purposely done that too when one of the boys was napping the car and the other one wanted to get out at our destination.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 8
From: San Diego, CA
08 E63 Arctic White/Black
i should also point out that we haven't had any safety issues (yet -- knock on wood) with our boys, 3 and 5. that is partially because when i brought the car home 6 months ago i showed it to them right away and told them to keep their hands away from the door. and they were fascinated and actually like to stand back and watch it in action.
the other benefit that i had not thought of at the time is that they are getting bigger now and can actually pull the weight of the door closed (which is not an easy task on the big GL), although usually the 3 year old doesn't have the strength to get it all the way and the soft close will assist so i don't have to walk around and reopen/close it again.
it's kind of nice in that regard, especially since they know how to fasten their own 5-pt harnesses too. i guess they don't need mom anymore
haha
the other benefit that i had not thought of at the time is that they are getting bigger now and can actually pull the weight of the door closed (which is not an easy task on the big GL), although usually the 3 year old doesn't have the strength to get it all the way and the soft close will assist so i don't have to walk around and reopen/close it again.
it's kind of nice in that regard, especially since they know how to fasten their own 5-pt harnesses too. i guess they don't need mom anymore
haha
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 129
Likes: 4
From: Florida
1982 300Dt, 2021GLE53, 2013 GLK250, 2009 Smart Cabrio
if you've been driving M-B's you already softly close the doors. I have the soft close and have to try hard to close the door slightly to allow it to work. Don't get the option, M-B doors are easy to close already.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Honda Odyssey
I didn't even realize I had the feature, for me it is harder to consciously try to close the door almost all the way and let soft close take over, vs. just closing the door all the way myself. Haven't found it useful at all. The door is easy enough for close for my 5 year old.
