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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum My first F10 retrofit - Soft Close Doors
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      05-25-2012, 09:44 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MalithS View Post
On the topic of retrofits I have the standard 2 zone air con on my F10 (520) and I was wondering if its possible to fit the extended 2 zone air con by just replacing the air con control panel?
It's not just the control panel. The whole blower unit is different (three motors instead of one), and there is an extra sensor on the windscreen next to the rain-sense one. I doubt it could be done in a cost effective manner.
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      05-29-2012, 12:49 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by itschase View Post
I didn't order my car to spec, I get bored with cars too easily. I saw this one on the lot and leased it thinking I had all the features I would want. It didn't take me long to realize I should have opted for a model with soft close doors - most of you know what I mean.

On my last car (E60 550i) I did all sorts of stuff like soft close doors, HUD and navigation retrofits and had a lot of fun doing them.

I have to take it easy with the retrofitting on the F10 because it is a lease and I'm probably going for the M5/6 in 3 years. Luckily this is a pretty straight forward retrofit, costs under 2k in parts (who cares what it would have cost to order it from the factory) and uninstalls without a trace.

I got all the door modules online, I will post part numbers after I get back in the US - but you can easily find everything you need on real oem.com.

I will post pics of my progress and a shoddy DIY for those that may be interested in doing it themselves. The important thing to mention as far as installation goes is that the soft close door modules replace the existing lock mechanisms completely, bolt right in to the door frame and only require power and ground to function. Everything is self contained so technically no coding is necessary at all. If you're uptight about it adding the proper VO is easy.

Over time the new car smell will wear off these things and people will go nuts adding features they wish they had, I wonder how long I will be able to resist the temptation to retrofit HUD, haha.
any update on the DIY? I might pull the trigger on this one... Wonder if stepless door opening can be retrofitted too. my parent's old E60 has stepless door and it's really nice in tight parking spaces.
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      05-29-2012, 10:04 AM   #25
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The modules are scheduled to arrive today. In anticipation I removed a rear door panel yesterday just to make sure there were no surprises. The only surprise was how easy it is to take an F10 door panel off compared to the E60. Literally one torx screw behind the inside opening latch (on the rear doors). If you have rear sunshades you'll have to pull off the smaller one - but again, easy! I took some pics, I will figure out how to post them soon. If you can install a speaker in a door, you can install these modules.


Edit: would love to have stepless door opening. Had it on a Mercedes a few years ago and have missed it since. I wasn't aware it was an option, but if you find out anything about it please share.

Last edited by Tuesday; 05-29-2012 at 10:18 AM..
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      05-30-2012, 05:27 PM   #26
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Retrofit completed! I will write something up and post it to the first page if I can still edit it. That's tedious work when you have a pinched nerve in your back...
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      05-30-2012, 05:44 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itschase View Post
Retrofit completed! I will write something up and post it to the first page if I can still edit it. That's tedious work when you have a pinched nerve in your back...
Awesome. I'm looking forward to it.
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      05-30-2012, 06:57 PM   #28
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Nice work. I sent you a PM last week regarding coding but never heard back from you...
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      05-30-2012, 07:18 PM   #29
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awesome! love to see the result.

P.S: about stepless doors, since realoem is back up online I looked up parts and there are no parts for stepless door brake. I also looked up E60 parts(which my parent's car have stepless door) and they didn't have it listed. So at this point I'm not sure if the part even exists.
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      05-30-2012, 09:19 PM   #30
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Originally Posted by lakerholic View Post
Nice work. I sent you a PM last week regarding coding but never heard back from you...
Hey sorry about that - I honestly don't recall seeing the PM but I will check again. In my defense I just moved again back to LA, so things have been a bit scattered. If you don't mind driving to LA I would be happy to code for you.
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      05-30-2012, 10:04 PM   #31
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All done! Check the first post for the details, pics and a video of the modules in action!
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      05-30-2012, 11:10 PM   #32
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      05-30-2012, 11:12 PM   #33
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Awesome.
Need to code it? Would it work if you only wanted to fit one to the driver's door?
Any chance you're going to do auto-tailgate/trunk close next?
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      05-30-2012, 11:16 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grimlock View Post
Awesome.
Need to code it? Would it work if you only wanted to fit one to the driver's door?
Any chance you're going to do auto-tailgate/trunk close next?
No coding necessary and yes, you can just add this to one door if you wanted. Ironically, the driver door module was the cheapest.

I already have the auto close trunk, but when my trunk was apart today I had a good look at how it works: I could (somewhat) easily install this for someone.
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      05-30-2012, 11:26 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itschase View Post
No coding necessary and yes, you can just add this to one door if you wanted. Ironically, the driver door module was the cheapest.

I already have the auto close trunk, but when my trunk was apart today I had a good look at how it works: I could (somewhat) easily install this for someone.
Cool, can just try one first and see if they like, also can abandon the project if its too hard
Darn, alot of people who haven't got the trunk really want it.. i think parts around the same, but I could never figure it out.
Too bad I'm in Hong Kong I would willingly let you rip apart my trunk
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      05-30-2012, 11:36 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grimlock View Post
Cool, can just try one first and see if they like, also can abandon the project if its too hard
Darn, alot of people who haven't got the trunk really want it.. i think parts around the same, but I could never figure it out.
Too bad I'm in Hong Kong I would willingly let you rip apart my trunk

I have spent a good deal of time in Causeway Bay - if I find my plans bringing me back there again I will definitely let you know.
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      05-30-2012, 11:46 PM   #37
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Originally Posted by itschase View Post
I have spent a good deal of time in Causeway Bay - if I find my plans bringing me back there again I will definitely let you know.
Really? Sounds good.
i got a friend in LA who does a lot of computer stuff but he's into Audis
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      05-30-2012, 11:47 PM   #38
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Awesome job and DIY overview!
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      05-31-2012, 09:27 AM   #39
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Itchase,

You got some skills


I dont think its as easy as you made it to look

How much did it run in parts ? how long did it took to complete the installation just thinking of asking my dealer for a quote... rippping the doors looks scary
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      05-31-2012, 08:23 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ImperialBlue View Post
Itchase,

You got some skills


I dont think its as easy as you made it to look

How much did it run in parts ? how long did it took to complete the installation just thinking of asking my dealer for a quote... rippping the doors looks scary
With all the misc connectors, wire, and modules it ran roughly $1,700.

It took me on average one hour per door and then another 2 hours for wiring and trim removal/reinstallation. Taking the doors apart is a bit nerve racking at first, but once you do one you quickly see that this is just another car and while the design and aesthetics are new, the insides and mechanics are typical BMW parts.

I would be curious as to what your (or any) dealership says about doing a retrofit like this - I got into coding and retrofitting my BMW's years ago because the dealership literally laughed at me when I asked if they could do it for me.
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      05-31-2012, 08:31 PM   #41
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Is the soft close doors really worth it? I have the chance to order my f10 with it but debating if i want it. Another item that could fail over time and not sure if I would miss the solid thump you get from closing a nice solid german machine. Are the f10 doors really aluminum and harder to close? Do they not have the same solid thump when you close the door like older BMWs?

Thanks
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      06-01-2012, 01:16 AM   #42
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Fantastic post, appreciate it!
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Last edited by EdM5; 06-01-2012 at 01:48 AM..
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      06-01-2012, 09:17 AM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l. View Post
Is the soft close doors really worth it? I have the chance to order my f10 with it but debating if i want it. Another item that could fail over time and not sure if I would miss the solid thump you get from closing a nice solid german machine. Are the f10 doors really aluminum and harder to close? Do they not have the same solid thump when you close the door like older BMWs?

Thanks
Alan
Good question - but these cars are so amazingly complex that I can assure you there are at least 20 different modules and/or features that will go out long before the soft close door modules. I actually had to chuckle a little at your concern because in a modern BMW there are about 5 'items that could fail over time' per square foot, lol. Even the steering column has its own computer (SZL), and it definitely will fail you if you keep your car long enough.

As far as needing these things, you'll be fine without them - but they are nice to have and were fun to install. I am honestly not sure what they cost to order from the factory - but they do make a big difference because the F10 doors do close differently than older BMW's.
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      06-01-2012, 09:45 AM   #44
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Originally Posted by itschase View Post
I am honestly not sure what they cost to order from the factory - but they do make a big difference because the F10 doors do close differently than older BMW's.

For 535 in 2011 it was part of Comfort Package.. In 2012 they removed it now 2013 they are offering it as a standalone for 500$ ?

I did try get it special order (As it is a stand alone option EU)it but my SA was lazy said it will atleast cost 2 k and your car will be delayed by 3 months!
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