Disappointing doors? They don't close well. - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

jpa74 · 05-05-2012, 02:05 PM

I am noticing that the doors on my car are hard to close. They don't look misaligned or anything, but I'm used the having the door close fully with a light push (Honda Accord). These doors really require you to push hard to close, almost a slam. I feel like the catching mechanism is slightly off. A bit annoying. Wondering if I need to take it back to dealer to fix.

Or are all BMWs like this?

Anyone else with door closing issues?

_BMWnEwBiE_ · 05-05-2012, 02:54 PM

When I test drove the car in the dealer i kind a notice that but i assumed all BMW are the same way since i dont have a backgorund with BMW.

jgrasty · 05-05-2012, 03:04 PM

BMW has always been this way. My 2002 325i needed a bit of an extra thump to close the door, and my 2012 328i is the same. It's one way they keep the car stiff so it drives well.

mfear · 05-05-2012, 03:11 PM

how does one relate to the other?

micknugget · 05-05-2012, 03:13 PM

It's a combination of a tight hinge and a door that seals extremely well. You should notice that it closes easier with the window down.

npgatech · 05-05-2012, 03:24 PM

Infact, this is one of the most distinguished features of a BMW. The doors are SOLID and when they close, they make a nice thumping sound. Love it!

svache · 05-05-2012, 04:07 PM

Dunno if all BMW's are like this. Our old E46 M3 and E70 X5 surely were not this hard to close, it seems the F30 is much harder to close than the older ones. At the other hand, once you get used to it, it's no problem at all. Like EP also says: when they're closed, they're really closed indeed and that does feel good to me =)

bimmerjph · 05-05-2012, 04:10 PM

Pretty much every BMW without the Soft-Close doors that I have driven are like that. But next time you are in there I would mention it just to be sure.

E90Fleet · 05-05-2012, 04:35 PM

The door seal rubbers do get a bit softer after a while, making the doors "easier" to close

jtuds · 05-05-2012, 06:53 PM

I was at a F30 launch event and they had a red sport line. Nobody could get the door to close. On all the other f30s there, this wasn't a problem. I'd take you car in and get it checked.

Elk · 05-05-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgrasty

BMW has always been this way. My 2002 325i needed a bit of an extra thump to close the door, and my 2012 328i is the same. It's one way they keep the car stiff so it drives well.

It is the other way around, in a sense.

Stiff sub-frames and related structures will allow the door to close the same even if one corner is jacked up. A less stiff car will flex and the door will not close properly. Doors that close with more force do not, however, lend to a stiffer structure.

To the OP: Bring it in. It sounds like the striker needs a little adjusting. This is an easy, quick fix. It is also possible that the door alignment is off. This is trickier but something the dealer can also address.

yerffejleahcim · 05-05-2012, 10:43 PM

Yup due to solid frames and doors. My E90 was the same. My F30 does sound better when closing it though. Softer sound.

ric124 · 05-05-2012, 11:38 PM

Are you saying that you prefer the lighter doors of the Accord vs the heavy solid doors on german cars???

Very · 05-06-2012, 12:33 AM

Sorry, but the doors are not "lighter" on the accord. I am coming out of an accord. This is my first bmw, but I have been around bmw's before and I am sure that this model (I have a 328i f30 luxury line) has a driver's door that is not at all "German like". It is "light" and does not have the wonderfully heavy "cluck" that most German cars have had in the past 30 years. This is a let-down for me.

jpa74 · 05-06-2012, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric124

Are you saying that you prefer the lighter doors of the Accord vs the heavy solid doors on german cars???

My F30 doors don't feel heavy. They just require some force to close completely. With normal force, it closes partially. It is almost impossible to fully close at that point.

Would have expected more from BMW...

I like my Accord doors better...

Weaselboy · 05-06-2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

The door seal rubbers do get a bit softer after a while, making the doors "easier" to close

Agreed. I don't think there is anything about the door design or latch that is making it hard to close. I just feels to me like the rubber seals are very tight making the door hard to pull closed that last little bit. I have noticed this gets better as the cars ages a bit and the door seals compress some.

Jason · 05-06-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

The door seal rubbers do get a bit softer after a while, making the doors "easier" to close

This. All the auto show display cars were the same way because they were so new.

DrivenByE30 · 05-06-2012, 12:56 PM

It's normal guys.. for the doors on the F30 to be requiring more force to close them than your average family sedan...

There is nothing wrong with it...

thicker seals are the cause of it...
heavier doors are also the cause of it...

Just get use to it... it was weird for me too at the beginning...
but that's how.

there is no if or but... somehow i prefer that way better... as opposed to having a lighter Accord door that does not reassure me in terms of quality... all plastic... how is that for safety in a side crash??

DrivenByE30 · 05-06-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric124

Are you saying that you prefer the lighter doors of the Accord vs the heavy solid doors on german cars???

+1

Maz335i · 05-06-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric124

Are you saying that you prefer the lighter doors of the Accord vs the heavy solid doors on german cars???

+1111

Raspartan · 05-06-2012, 03:14 PM

Anyone seen the movie Snatch? "Heavy is good, heavy is reliable"!

dmontic71 · 05-06-2012, 03:19 PM

Don't BMW's have double seals, and Accord only has single?

05-05-2012, 02:05 PM	#1
jpa74 Private Drives: F30 328i sports line Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 72 iTrader: (0)	Disappointing doors? They don't close well. I am noticing that the doors on my car are hard to close. They don't look misaligned or anything, but I'm used the having the door close fully with a light push (Honda Accord). These doors really require you to push hard to close, almost a slam. I feel like the catching mechanism is slightly off. A bit annoying. Wondering if I need to take it back to dealer to fix. Or are all BMWs like this? Anyone else with door closing issues?
	Tweet

05-05-2012, 03:11 PM	#4
mfear South Florida Elite Drives: E93 335i - Crimson Red/Black Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 257 iTrader: (0)	how does one relate to the other? __________________ [2007 E93 335i 6AT \| Crimson Red/Black Dakota \| Premium \| Sport \| Heated Seats \| iPod/USB \| JB+ \| 15% Tint \| AngeliBright LED Halos]

05-05-2012, 03:13 PM	#5
micknugget Second Lieutenant Drives: 2012 F30 328 Red Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Detroit Posts: 215 iTrader: (0)	It's a combination of a tight hinge and a door that seals extremely well. You should notice that it closes easier with the window down. __________________ 2012 328i Base, Auto, Melbourne Red

05-05-2012, 04:07 PM	#7
svache Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,886 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW F30 328i [2.87] 2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 SMG [4.33]	Dunno if all BMW's are like this. Our old E46 M3 and E70 X5 surely were not this hard to close, it seems the F30 is much harder to close than the older ones. At the other hand, once you get used to it, it's no problem at all. Like EP also says: when they're closed, they're really closed indeed and that does feel good to me =) __________________ F30 328i Luxury w/ Mojave metallic, beige interior (timeline) Note: Many PM me for links to the software needed to code. Please note that I do not have download links to this software. Your best bet is using the search function in the coding thread

05-05-2012, 04:35 PM	#9
E90Fleet Major General Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 7,851 iTrader: (0)	The door seal rubbers do get a bit softer after a while, making the doors "easier" to close __________________ Nominated: Member of the Year, Most Contributing Member BMW if you are reading, I need a job

05-05-2012, 02:54 PM	#2
_BMWnEwBiE_ Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States Posts: 40 iTrader: (0)	When I test drove the car in the dealer i kind a notice that but i assumed all BMW are the same way since i dont have a backgorund with BMW.

05-05-2012, 03:04 PM	#3
jgrasty Second Lieutenant Drives: 2012 BMW 328i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 262 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [0.00]	BMW has always been this way. My 2002 325i needed a bit of an extra thump to close the door, and my 2012 328i is the same. It's one way they keep the car stiff so it drives well.

05-05-2012, 03:24 PM	#6
npgatech Private First Class Drives: 2012 BMW 335i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA Posts: 166 iTrader: (0)	Infact, this is one of the most distinguished features of a BMW. The doors are SOLID and when they close, they make a nice thumping sound. Love it!

05-05-2012, 04:10 PM	#8
bimmerjph Major Drives: 2002 BMW 325i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,332 iTrader: (0)	Pretty much every BMW without the Soft-Close doors that I have driven are like that. But next time you are in there I would mention it just to be sure.

05-05-2012, 06:53 PM	#10
jtuds Captain Drives: 335i M Sport ordered Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: 1.5-2 hrs west of Toronto Posts: 786 iTrader: (0)	I was at a F30 launch event and they had a red sport line. Nobody could get the door to close. On all the other f30s there, this wasn't a problem. I'd take you car in and get it checked.

05-05-2012, 10:43 PM	#12
yerffejleahcim First Lieutenant Drives: '12 F30 Sport Mineral White Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oahu Posts: 377 iTrader: (0)	Yup due to solid frames and doors. My E90 was the same. My F30 does sound better when closing it though. Softer sound. __________________ Michael DELIVERED 2012 F30 328i Mineral White Sport Line / Coral Red / ZPP / Xenons / Sports Trans / M Performance Black Kidney Grilles Arriving California April 11th ----- Expected Delivery May 4th

05-05-2012, 11:38 PM	#13
ric124 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F30 335i SP 6MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,528 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 335i Sport [5.00] 2012 Trek Mamba 29er [0.00]	Are you saying that you prefer the lighter doors of the Accord vs the heavy solid doors on german cars??? __________________ Timeline: 335i Sport W/ Adaptive M suspension\| Sport Variable steering\| Technology PKG\| HK Sound PKG\| BMW apps\| BMW Assist\| Sport line hand brake grip\| M Performance black kidneys\|

05-06-2012, 12:33 AM	#14
Very New Member Drives: just ordered 2012 328i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 24 iTrader: (0)	Sorry, but the doors are not "lighter" on the accord. I am coming out of an accord. This is my first bmw, but I have been around bmw's before and I am sure that this model (I have a 328i f30 luxury line) has a driver's door that is not at all "German like". It is "light" and does not have the wonderfully heavy "cluck" that most German cars have had in the past 30 years. This is a let-down for me.

05-06-2012, 12:56 PM	#18
DrivenByE30 Colonel Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC - SoCal Posts: 2,174 iTrader: (0)	It's normal guys.. for the doors on the F30 to be requiring more force to close them than your average family sedan... There is nothing wrong with it... thicker seals are the cause of it... heavier doors are also the cause of it... Just get use to it... it was weird for me too at the beginning... but that's how. there is no if or but... somehow i prefer that way better... as opposed to having a lighter Accord door that does not reassure me in terms of quality... all plastic... how is that for safety in a side crash?? __________________ all 3 are MT > F30 Luxury 335i 6MT- The dream driven... _..._4/12/12 ED trip MASSIVE photo thread here <<<

05-06-2012, 03:14 PM	#21
Raspartan Captain Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 679 iTrader: (0)	Anyone seen the movie Snatch? "Heavy is good, heavy is reliable"!

05-06-2012, 03:19 PM	#22
dmontic71 Lieutenant Drives: 2012 F30 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 516 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [5.00] (retired) 2009 528i [5.00] (retired) 2006 325i [5.00] (retired) 2002 325ci [5.00]	Don't BMW's have double seals, and Accord only has single? __________________ 2012 F30 328i, Melbourne Red, Premium, Sportline, Steptronic, Xenon, Harmon Kardon.

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