Pet Barrier Recommendations
 

I'm looking to buy a pet barrier for my E53, so I thought I would see if anyone had any recommendations. I want to be able to fold down the rear seats and prevent my German Shepherd from trying to get into the front seat.

There's a few on Amazon I have looked at that looks like they would work. Looks like I would need to open the moon roof cover and push the bars up to the glass, then just not open the glass when using this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Vehic...ef_=pd_ybh_a_4

I am also looking at several protective covers that would cover the entire rear area. I need to get some measurements, because it looks like a lot of them won't be long enough to cover the area with the back seats folded down.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg

We use a Kurgo Hammock in my wifes JSW and he just stays in the backseat that way - I think they sell barriers too - my dog doesnt try to get up front but if yours is nervous you might need more than the hammock

I have that thing. If I could find all the parts, I would ship it to you. I don't like it and we don't use it. There are two reasons...

I bought it when we thought (correctly) that our new rescue was going to try to get into the back seat when transported. He did, but not for long. The barrier functioned but was unstable.

Then, he turned out to sort of figure out his 'place' in the pack after some obedience training. He listened to us when we told him no. Now he doesn't even try.

Not every dog is like this, I know. I may want another barrier with another dog. But it won't be this barrier.

Did the barrier fit the dimensions and work as advertised? If you do have all of it and want to get rid of it, I would be glad to buy it from you.

This my 3rd GSD, and so far, she hasn't been as well behaved as the others were (probably mostly my fault). At 2, she is still acts very much like a puppy. They always stay hyper and playful most of their lives, but this one needs to be reminded over and over what to do and not to do and can be somewhat defiant at times. She hasn't been in this car yet, but I know she would constantly try to get up front with me, at least for a while.

Too bad bmw discontinued this partition:


...but I believe item #1 in diagram below is still available:

^ That one is a barrier to keep them in the cargo area behind the back seat. I have seen some aftermarket ones like this also, but I want a barrier right behind the front seats.

Actually, the parcel net #1 in the 2nd diagram above...can be used in either location. You can separate the cargo area by using the rear hooks (#5 in the diagram in previous post)...or the front hooks (#7 in the diagram in previous post)...which would place the parcel net right behind the front seats.

Here's an image of the e53's parcel net:


Sadly, BMW didn't include this 2 location parcel net as standard equipment like it did in my 99 540iT. The e39 Touring also had a built in holder for the rear cargo cover (that also included the parcel net in the same cassette) on the front edge of the rear seats. So if you were out & about and picked up something that required the entire cargo & rear seat area...you had an easy place to store the cargo cover/parcel net.

The images below are the e39 Touring parcel net...but the e53 net can be used behind the front seats just like the e39's:

Well, they must have had something like this in mind for the E53 (maybe as an option) - my 2005 has the four roof/ceiling mount points for this cargo net - two right behind the front seat and another two right behind the rear seats.

Decoding the VIN indicates that the cargo net option WAS ordered for my X5 when new but it wasn't in the car when I got it. :(

My 4.8 has the OEM net and built-in attachment points.
Last weekend I used the net in the rear position (dogs on board) but haven't yet tried it the forward location. It's certainly not as user friendly as my E39 Touring net installation, which was an excellent system.

I don't think I have all the parts. I wouldnt take money for it anyway. It was barely worth what I paid for it.

:thumbup: You got what I was saying...the e39's all-in-one cargo cover/parcel net & its 2nd storage set up when the entire rear cargo area is needed (rear seats folded down) was top notch function & design form.

The e53's design (to me) was a slight step backwards. I was disappointed that the cargo cover only has a singular function...and there's no place to store the cargo cover if an unplanned purchase/pickup requires removing it & lowering the rear seat backs...except to lay it across the floor in front of the rear seats...or somehow wedge/place it somewhere along side what ever is packed in the cargo area.

We agree with the mounting hook locations (as I mentioned item #5 & #7 in the diagram) for the e53's parcel net. The e53's parcel net was designed to be used in the rearward and forward location. But where it failed in comparison to the e39's setup is...the net is autonomous and not integrated into the cargo cover's cassette...plus there's no 2nd storage location for the cargo cover when the rear seats are folded down.

If one did get the e53's parcel net...it has to be stored separately to keep from losing it...then the net itself has 2 pieces...the net and the anchor (#9 in the diagram)...which makes it kind of cumbersome to install it when needed. The e39's parcel net only required pulling it upward...as it was designed to be self-extracted & self-retracted out/in of the cargo cover's cassette.

It looks like mine has the connect points behind the front seats, but I still think I would prefer the bars over a net. Downside of the bars is that the supports would go to the roof, where the moon roof is, making it so you can't open it when the barrier is in place.

Part #9 is not an anchor. It is an optional storage bag. Part 1 is everything you need. I keep mine rolled and tucked behind the seats. Takes about 5 minutes to install, a little longer to dismount and put away. I found mine on Craigslist for $80 in new condition. Works well with the dogs or any loose gear.

Sorted - found a (virtually) brand-new E53 cargo net on a local trading site (TradeMe) for NZ$100 so I snapped it up. :D

Same setup as Qsilver7 posted - this image: -

http://thumbs4.picclick.com/d/l400/p...go-Net-E53.jpg

Not going to use it a lot but it's nice to have for the odd occasion when I stack stuff up in the back. And given it's list price here in NZ is around NZ$1k, I wasn't ever going to get a new one! ;)

Great find...good price. :thumbup:

Nice find wpoll - I'd suggest that you won't want to use it very often, as it's a complete PIA to set up/install.
Don't know why BMW didn't simply emulate the E39 Touring's brilliant cargo net design for the X5, but there you have it. :dunno:

Ditto...I guess the e39's cargo cover/parcel net was the pinnacle...and it's been downhill since. I do believe the new gen BMW SAVs & Tourings also don't incorporate the e39's all-in-one design with the ability to "store & go" if out & about and it needs to be moved out of the way to make room for loading the cargo area.

Doesn't make sense that they abandoned a great design. :damn: