[wj4]

I've always wondered about this feature. It's not limited to BMWs, but other more expensive cars as well. When you open the door, the window lowers a little, then it raises up when the door is closed.

What's the purpose of this feature?

[RRGOO7]

usually done on coupes to help seal the cabin more

[cooldude]

The cars which donot have the window housing like the sedans usually do.
e.g. mid 90's lexus es, acura tl, etc when the door is closed the window takes the pressure so the window is lowered so that the window is saved from pressure

[wj4]

Originally Posted by RRGOO7

usually done on coupes to help seal the cabin more

I don't get how it would help seal the cabin more if the windows lower when the doors open as oppose to being closed at all time.

[wj4]

Originally Posted by cooldude

The cars which donot have the window housing like the sedans usually do.
e.g. mid 90's lexus es, acura tl, etc when the door is closed the window takes the pressure so the window is lowered so that the window is saved from pressure

This actually makes some sense, so this feature is to reduce the stress put on the windows. Thanks.

[e92phreak]

I found out the hard way. For some ODD reason, when closing my door, the window wasn't lowered... I think it raised itself... I probably hit my keyfob or something... Anyways, it wasn't lowered, and when I closed the door, it make a noise almost like something riccochet'd off my window.

[GAMEgates]

like rrg007 said its mostly done on coupes or 2drs mainly because the windows are large and isnt shrouded at the top by metal. Its bare glass. So in order for it to close it must lower a little to pass through the arch.

[jjbirch]

mostely coupes and soft tops as they are frame less windows just glass the glass does look mre stronger than the normal window

[OBI_agent]

Yeh.....I have seen the window lower in a corvette too....sounds cool when its done...lol

[pokerface]

easier to shut the doors as it relieves a bit of air pressure

[TheAcAvenger]

Im not sure its really related to more expensive cars.... the mustang GT does the same thing.

[e90driver]

Does the 3er coupe do this also? I should have paid more attention when I test drove it.

[sinnet112]

Yep, just on coupes and convertibles. First time I experienced this was on a 350Z back in '03

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by e90driver

Does the 3er coupe do this also? I should have paid more attention when I test drove it.

yes it does

[c0nstant]

as others have said, its because the weather stripping is not connected to the tops of the windows as opposed to on sedans. the closing action simply ensures a snug fit under the stripping. and as far as having that feature on higher end makes and models, my 97 328is does it every time

edit: plus coupe windows are generally a lot bigger than those on sedans, idk what thats has to do with anything. just throwing it out lol

[shift330]

My G37 does it too. My old G35 did it but my 04 Mustang GT didn't so that must be something that domestics switched over to later on

[leftcoastman]

And it helps prevent from compressing the air in the cabin......reducing the stress on your eardrums.

I'm serious. Get in an older car, slam the door and note the effect on your ears.

[Couch]

This really does go back a ways. My friends '91 or '92 Integra did this.

[shragon]

it's done on coupes. i know for bmw, this at least dates back to the e36.

[johnL]

Like someone else already mentioned, this only occurs for frameless doors. It's not really a thing restricted to more expensive cars.

[montreal red]

think a lot of cabrios and coupes have this feature... its not very uncommon... it's a great idea to solve an old problem.

[boymonkey]

I have a two-door which doesn't have this feature, and when someone slams the door or the trunk while I'm in the car, I can feel the air pressure on my ear drums. I think that's one reason for the feature. Another is that it takes a bit more to close the trunk (mine's connected to the cabin, like a hatchback), because of the air getting compressed. I have to push it all the way down until it latches.