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      11-05-2013, 05:53 PM   #23
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I saw the trunk of a new X5 last week...putting 3rd row seats is absolutely a design flaw...they have not changed the design (length) of X5...
in the M-B or Infiniti 7 seater, it makes a whole lot of sense as the car is designed for that usage...
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      11-05-2013, 06:35 PM   #24
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The extra storage is better than the seats!
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      11-05-2013, 07:43 PM   #25
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Here's a couple shots I took for the wife this weekend. Of interest was the space behind the seats when they're up... not terrible, large enough for a few pieces of carry-on-sized luggage.
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      11-16-2013, 06:22 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaw View Post
I saw the trunk of a new X5 last week...putting 3rd row seats is absolutely a design flaw...they have not changed the design (length) of X5...
in the M-B or Infiniti 7 seater, it makes a whole lot of sense as the car is designed for that usage...
What do you mean by 3rd row seats are a design flaw?
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      11-16-2013, 07:56 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by jjl View Post
What do you mean by 3rd row seats are a design flaw?
Well...X5 essentially is not a 7 seater...so the 3rd row actually isn't a "3rd" row...but something that they've just added without designing a proper space for it...
Have you seen M-B 7 seater? it is essentially a longer car which is specifically designed for a 3rd row...I just couldn't see how people would fit in there (small kids or pets...at its best)...and by doing that they compromised the leg room of the 2nd row...
I don't know about you...but I call that a design flaw...design flaws don't necessarily have to be a ground up mistake...this is one/
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      11-16-2013, 08:20 PM   #28
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I agree it's not a true 7 seater but it does help lets say if you have a guest staying with you from out of town, it comes in handy. We had this issue when we had a family member from England for 2 weeks, I would have loved to send one or two of our 3 kids to the back! IMO if you only have one or two kids, maybe no need for 3rd row. But for those that have 3 kids it's def. a great option.
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      11-16-2013, 09:10 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by patrob View Post
I agree it's not a true 7 seater but it does help lets say if you have a guest staying with you from out of town, it comes in handy. We had this issue when we had a family member from England for 2 weeks, I would have loved to send one or two of our 3 kids to the back! IMO if you only have one or two kids, maybe no need for 3rd row. But for those that have 3 kids it's def. a great option.
I have two kids and I don't have a VAN or sports sedan.
So, X5 is all in one. We get guests from overseas and stay for more than month. With little kids, 3rd Row is so essential.

Don't review 3rd alone with out a proper context and need.
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      11-17-2013, 02:34 AM   #30
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I have 2 girls 4 and 6 years, both tall for their age. The access to the 3rd row is simple, and they both have plenty of room. I expect these to be used by them in comfort for the next 5-6 years.

So yes, if you have young children and need occasional > 5 seats, then they are definitely worth it. Certainly not a design flaw. There is always a trade off when turning a SUV into an mpv, and I think the BMW designers have done a decent job based on the scope of the requirements they were clearly presented with I.e occasional 7 seats, or, 7 seats inc pre-teenagers, which is the target demographic. If they had been told to build a permanent 7 seater for adults, then yes they would have missed the mark with the current design, or the x5 would have been heavier and longer, and not in the bmw ethos.
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      11-17-2013, 11:18 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by riM3 View Post
Here's a couple shots I took for the wife this weekend. Of interest was the space behind the seats when they're up... not terrible, large enough for a few pieces of carry-on-sized luggage.
I dont see that picture. Can you repost. Thanks.
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      11-18-2013, 07:42 AM   #32
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The photo shows the 3rd row...but doesn't actually show that it has compromised the legroom for the 2nd row...
I hear everyone's comment about need for the 3rd row and trust me, I'm with you on that...we too first wanted to go with the 3rd row option....but X5 isn't designed for the 3rd row...and they are charging about $2-$3K for it??!!!
MB GL350's overall length is 201.6 / 5,120 (in/mm), Infiniti's QX80 overall length is 208.3 in...just about the right length for a 7 seater...BMW X5? Length(192.4 in/4,886 mm)...just about right to sacrifice 2nd row seating's legroom and crampy 3rd row...
I know BMW drivers want to drive BMW and not MB or Infiniti..., I also don't drive infiniti or MB...so paying $2-3k for something that is originally not designed for...might be something to consider IMO...
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      11-18-2013, 08:15 AM   #33
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^ Are you not able to move the 2nd row seats back when not using the 3rd row? So then 2nd row space becomes as it always has been?
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      11-18-2013, 08:22 AM   #34
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The 2nd row moves backwards and forwards a few inches whether or not the 3rd row is in-place, improving 2nd row legroom or storage/3rd row legroom.

Shaw- they aren't the best 3rd row option, I certainly wouldnt want to sit there, in fact not sure if I even could at 6'1", but the kids seem to like being hidden away

In the UK it's only £900 for 3rd row after discount, so not bad value.
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      11-18-2013, 08:32 AM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eaglesrest View Post
The 2nd row moves backwards and forwards a few inches whether or not the 3rd row is in-place, improving 2nd row legroom or storage/3rd row legroom.

Shaw- they aren't the best 3rd row option, I certainly wouldnt want to sit there, in fact not sure if I even could at 6'1", but the kids seem to like being hidden away

In the UK it's only £900 for 3rd row after discount, so not bad value.
Thanks for the info! We will def. take the 3rd row option, kids are already asking for it lol
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      11-18-2013, 09:24 AM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eaglesrest View Post
The 2nd row moves backwards and forwards a few inches whether or not the 3rd row is in-place, improving 2nd row legroom or storage/3rd row legroom.

Shaw- they aren't the best 3rd row option, I certainly wouldnt want to sit there, in fact not sure if I even could at 6'1", but the kids seem to like being hidden away

In the UK it's only £900 for 3rd row after discount, so not bad value.
Remember folks that adding the 3rd row seat eliminates the "Rear comfort Seat" option which to my understanding, was the back & forth movement of 2nd row seats...I may be wrong...but make sure you are getting what you want...
I will go with the Rear Comfort Seats which gives my kids more comfort (won't be able to get 3rd row then)... you can also tilt the seats back and forth (if they sleep...very comfy )
again, this is a discussion between practicality and effeciency...both valid sides of the coin...
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      11-18-2013, 09:30 AM   #37
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Test drove the MSport on Saturday, and brought the kids along to test the 3rd row seats.

With 3rd row up, access is via the second row - there is a lever which you pull that flips the seat up leaving a decent sized gap for the kids to climb in through.

There is another lever on the top of the seat that allows the 2nd row seats to move backwards and forwards. it moves a fair few inches.

Pretty sure there were no rear comfort seats fitted.

I know all about the seats as I spent about 5 minutes trying to get the 2nd row to flip up lol! It's one of those things that is easy when you know how, but I had them folded nearly flat, pushed forward, pushed back, everything but the way I wanted them....

Not sure how much benefit my kids would get from rear comfort as they will be on booster seats the majority of our ownership.
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      11-18-2013, 09:36 AM   #38
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We got the 3rd row in our X5 and if you don't intend to use the X5 as a true 7-seater, I think they are well worth it. We have a toddler in a car seat and occasionally a few teenagers with wife and I. The teenagers are just fine for a few hour drive, but an adult wouldn't want to be back there for a lengthy amount of time. My CA fit just fine in the 3rd row (he's about 5'8") so there is SOME leg room.
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      11-20-2013, 04:30 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eaglesrest View Post
The 2nd row moves backwards and forwards a few inches whether or not the 3rd row is in-place, improving 2nd row legroom or storage/3rd row legroom.

Shaw- they aren't the best 3rd row option, I certainly wouldnt want to sit there, in fact not sure if I even could at 6'1", but the kids seem to like being hidden away

In the UK it's only £900 for 3rd row after discount, so not bad value.
Eaglesrest, Isn't it £900 if you have a M Sport, but something like £1400 if you have a non-M Sport model?
Do you know if you can install the normal child seat in the 3rd row, eg for a 5 year old - or do you even need them - I'd rather err on the side of caution/safety but if the seats are small enough for a 5 year old without extra childseats then great.
Cheers
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      11-20-2013, 06:41 AM   #40
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Originally Posted by x5pilot View Post
Eaglesrest, Isn't it £900 if you have a M Sport, but something like £1400 if you have a non-M Sport model?
Do you know if you can install the normal child seat in the 3rd row, eg for a 5 year old - or do you even need them - I'd rather err on the side of caution/safety but if the seats are small enough for a 5 year old without extra childseats then great.
Cheers
Yep that's correct, makes the MSport even more attractive. I priced up PCP on comparatively specified MSport 3.0d, 2.5d SE Dynamic and 3.0d SE Dynamic, and the MSport worked out cheapest, probably because of the higher residuals. Much cheaper than the 3.0d SE Dynamic as it happens.

I didn't try a normal forward facing booster seat. I think it would fit, but my 6 and 4 year old fit in the seats directly without issue. The seatbelt fit fine.

Not too sure what the UK law has to say about it though. Don't kids have to be a certain height before they are allowed to not use a booster, with a few exceptions (taxis, emergencies, etc)
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      11-20-2013, 06:57 AM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW Junkie View Post
We got the 3rd row in our X5 and if you don't intend to use the X5 as a true 7-seater, I think they are well worth it. We have a toddler in a car seat and occasionally a few teenagers with wife and I. The teenagers are just fine for a few hour drive, but an adult wouldn't want to be back there for a lengthy amount of time. My CA fit just fine in the 3rd row (he's about 5'8") so there is SOME leg room.
Nailed it on the head! You don't buy the x5 as a 7 passenger car. If you want a true 7 passenger car, then looks elsewhere. If you occasionally might have an extra kid or passenger you need to fit in, then it works fine for short trips!
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      11-20-2013, 09:16 AM   #42
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I will be getting 3rd row seat as it's one of 3 main reasons to get a truck instead of family-wagon (the other being: X-drive and a huge trunk).
It will serve us only on few (holiday) occasions a year to carry our 2 and 4 year-olds, so then we can load 2-3 adults (Grammas mostly..) in the rear.
I tried out the 3rd row seat at Frankfurt presentation of F15, and find them more than OK: comfortable and spacey for kids.
I sat in them too, just to see how is it; and OK - not for adults... we were laughing with friends that I wouldn't mind though a 50 miles-max drive back home from a heavy party, if someone gave me a choice: "walk man, or get in there and we'll get you home" but half 30minutes (and a beer) - that's all

Here are couple of pics from IAA - in case someone wants to see what we're talking about and cannot verify at your local dealer:
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      11-20-2013, 01:18 PM   #43
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^^^ Great pics, thanks for sharing!
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      11-30-2013, 05:30 AM   #44
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Has anyone tried to put a child seat in the third row?
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