I have the third row option and have since 2007 and I can say it is very useful. My kids and nephews love the third row because they feel like they are ridding in the back of the car away from the parents. Granted they ages were 3,5,7 but they all fight to see who gets to ride in the back when Uncle V is driving. We have done road trips where I put the 40% split down and one kid sits in the thirdrow and the other in the second row. Actually that is perfect because there is no fighting between the two.

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2012 X5 50i ZAP(2VA, 336, 465), ZTP, ZPP, ZPS(6VC), ZCW, ZRC, 322, 4UB, 4NC, 610
2011 ///M3 Silverstone II
2011 X5 50i(lemon)
-- SOLD --
08 550 Msport
07 X5 4.8I sport
04 545i sport
02 4.4i sport
01 540I M/sport
00 SL500
97 SL500