3rd row seating question

I'm planning on purchasing an '09 or 10 X5 3.5d, can someone tell me what you lose if you have the 3rd row seating option? I don't need the 3rd row, but a few that I have found online have the option, I'd like to know if I'm losing something else....any comments would be appreciated,

You lose lots of trunk space and spare tire.
Also 3rd row seat is worthless unless you have very small children that will be using it.

I think you will lose the space for a spare tire and you will have to stick with run flat tires. Some owners don't like the rfts and prefer to use non rfts and carry a spare tire.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Bimmer App

Thanks very much for the timely response and the comments,

Originally Posted by Kzang

You lose lots of trunk space and spare tire.
Also 3rd row seat is worthless unless you have very small children that will be using it.

You gain self levelling suspension, and the ability to slide the second row forward.

Go to a dealer and check out an X5 with third row seats. It's hardly worth it.

Like Blue Dragon said you lose the sliding second row which has been very nice as you can move them back a few more inches when the third is not in use. The third row is tight for anyone over 5'3". The self leveling suspension is nice too and helps to control the lean compared to others I have driven. You are stuck with RFTs that ride a little rougher but if you are not leasing then you can get non-RFTs and the flat mobility kit that is basically a can of fix-a-flat and I have read good reviews of this. I lease so have to return with RFTs so I'm used to the ride even with the 20's.

I would pass on the third row unless you need it for young kids. The third row is very cramped so even young teenagers will be un-comfortable back there for anything but a short trip. You will lose the option to have the spare tire which means you are stuck with run-flat tires when it's time for new tires. Run flats tend to be more expensive and have a harsher ride than regular tires.

Originally Posted by blue dragon

You gain self levelling suspension, and the ability to slide the second row forward.

I don't think that all 3rd row-equipped X5's come with self leveling suspension, do they? Wasn't the self-leveling a option that was added to a package with 3rd-row? I believe that some on here stated that they had learned (after the fact) that their 3rd-row equipped X5 did NOT have the self-leveling on it, right?

Self leveling suspension comes standard with the 3rd row seating package. I'm not even sure if you can delete it from the package.

For the most part the third row option is useless. My 8 year old son complains about having to ride back there on short trips. But the 3-4 times per year we use it, it does come in handy. If you found a vehicle you liked (color, options, etc...) with the third row option it wouldn't prohibit me from buying it just because it had the third row. You could always buy a spare tire and keep it in the back with the seats down if you didn't want the RFT's (not ideal but certainly an option). That being said, the RFT's don't scare me either. Good luck.

It comes in handy in the odd sitiation where we have kids friends over an I need to drop them off. The self levelling suspension works well for towing too if you do that.

Originally Posted by blue dragon

It comes in handy in the odd sitiation where we have kids friends over an I need to drop them off. The self levelling suspension works well for towing too if you do that.

I agree I find the 3rd row is a very handy option, with two kids it just seems for taking friends or even if we want to go out for supper with family members it's so handy to have the 3rd row.

Originally Posted by ktono

Like Blue Dragon said you lose the sliding second row which has been very nice as you can move them back a few more inches when the third is not in use. .

You can move them FORWARD. Vehicles w/out 3rd row already have the seats slid all the way to the back

Originally Posted by serge1

You can move them FORWARD. Vehicles w/out 3rd row already have the seats slid all the way to the back

Thanks for clarifying. Does the 2nd row seatback recline without the 3rd row option?