Automatic Tailgate

[Investor]

Parts shortage? That was the excuse for no rear shades. Also for delay in comfort seats. Did BMW release this car too early? I was going to order one but there are too many options that I want that are being delayed. Not sure I want to wait until 2008. Next thing you know there will be no more 4.8's due to parts shortage.

[xnsf]

Originally Posted by Investor

Parts shortage? That was the excuse for no rear shades. Also for delay in comfort seats. Did BMW release this car too early? I was going to order one but there are too many options that I want that are being delayed. Not sure I want to wait until 2008. Next thing you know there will be no more 4.8's due to parts shortage.

just wait till 2008...there's no need to rush

[trueX5er]

I liked my rear shades.....oh well...

[canamx5]

Originally Posted by trueX5er

I have never seen a need for a power latch...just pull down! It's not that heavy!

I believe it's a female oriented option. My CEO loves hers on the R class.
(no more braking nails)

[trueX5er]

Yup, I can see that I guess, but for a male with no long nails and no upper-body strenght problems?
But it is convienent for opening it with groceries in tow, I guess.

[King]

The power tailgate is a nice feature. It's not that the tailgate is heavy or difficult to close, it's the fact that you don't have to slam it shut. The tailgate was a very bad design on the E53...mine still rattles to this day. The trunk latch has also been replaced three times. I know from this board that it was a common problem. I'm glad BMW finally did something about it. It's too bad that this feature is delayed though...

[UNVME]

Originally Posted by trueX5er

I have never seen a need for a power latch...just pull down! It's not that heavy!

I've never seen a "need" for a BMW but this will be my third because I WANT it!!

If you think about it your probably putting/taking something from the cargo bay that requires two hands every now and then. If your not you might wanna go for a 335i.

[xnsf]

yeah, it's not really important, but it is nice to have...

you never know what will come in handy, and it's better to have it than not having it...

[linus]

Originally Posted by Investor

Parts shortage? That was the excuse for no rear shades. Also for delay in comfort seats. Did BMW release this car too early? I was going to order one but there are too many options that I want that are being delayed. Not sure I want to wait until 2008. Next thing you know there will be no more 4.8's due to parts shortage.

This appears to be an issue they are facing with a number of items. The shades on the E70; talk to comfort seats unavailable on the E70; the tailgate on the E70; they're having problems keeping up with demand for the new twin turbo engines for the 3 series (especially as they are launching the 535); paddle shifters are unavailable on the 335xi until further notice due to supply shortage.

Come on BMW, what's going on? Fortunately for them, people love their products and are willing to either wait or go without certain features. However, over time, this could eventually resonate poorly with customers, especially if the competition develops class leading products. Not that I'm a fan of the Audi Q7, but when my wife and I initially went to check it out, the salesperson was quick to point out to my wife that the auto tailgate in the Q7 was available and had a nifty feature that allowed for the height of the opening to be set by the user. He did mention that the E70 does not have an auto tailgate feature. Even though she preferred the E70, she did give more thought to the Q7 than otherwise.

[X5 Guy]

I would have added the power open and close hatch had it been avaialble at the time of order. It would have been a nice gimmick. But I was not willing to wait for it.

Honestly... It opens by hand with little effort already and closing is not a problem. I could see if you were an older, weaker adult with no upper body strength.