One more note. There is a way to open the glovebox in the case of power failure. According to BMW Glovebox Technical Manual:

An emergency unlocking mechanism is provided so that the glovebox can be opened when the vehicle is de-energized or in the event of faulty unlocking mechanisms.
The emergency unlocking mechanism can be accessed from the front passenger's side. Only the instrument-panel cover needs to be opened here. Behind this cover is a loop, which, when pulled, unlocks and opens the glovebox.

To me this is nuts. You have to dismantle the front panel in order to unlock the glovebox??? Maybe I am interpreting this wrong since I (still) don't have a car to check it myself.