Without the 3rd row the 2nd row seats look a little different. Somewhere on the web I found a .gif picture of the seats in both configurations....3rd row and no 3rd row and you can see a slight diff in the style of 2nd row seats but not significant, but the centre armrest is better deisgned in the 3rd row optioned X5.

And the E70 didnt feel big or hefty at all...very well balanced and drives like a car.

The picture is actually the same as the one on BMWUSA experience site but with a changing picture showing without 3rd row option....shows how 2nd row changes...anyone???