Agreed, at least for adults, but that didn't stop BMW from putting a third row in the E70.

Isn't it kinda awkward riding rear-faced?

What invaluable insight. How could I begin to thank you guys.....:rolleyes:

Not for me, I don't even have enough company to use the rear seat....unless....nevermind ;)

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. My aunt has an E53 also, and was going to trade it up for the E70 but they want too much, plus she Loves her E53 and the only reason (besides needing brakes, lol) that she wants to trade it in is for the third row seating as she has her third child on the way. This will at least give her an option to have the 4 year old ride in the cargo area, and put the 2 younger ones in the rear seat.....even though I really want to swap her tails and winter wheels before if she were to trade it, lol.

Thanks!
Rob

....that's what she said. :D

LMAO
Yeah.. she never knew what hit her :)

I was just thinking, if there are at best 31 inches of headroom and the seat would be at a minimum of 8 or more inches we are left with enough room for a three year old or a short 4 year old at best. Don't forget all the 'stuff' you need to fit back there when you have a new infant!!! Our X5 has a stroller, diaper bag, and errands items (groceries, shopping, etc). We now have 2 children and the back is taken up completely by booster and baby seat. If wife could not take the stroller with her, the car would become useless.

Don't forget to suggest/find a cargo area separator so that the kid doesn't get slammed in the head when things shift around.

Another thought is a crash impact's effect on the cargo area. They didn't design the crumple zones for people in that area. Even if you can squeeze kids back there, doesn't mean it's safe. Call me old fashioned, but the risk outweighs the reward. I cannot believe someone would even consider adding seats to an area that doesn't have them and stick their kids in there.

Scott

I think there is some logic to the point that E53 crumple zones are not designed for 3rd row seats. That said, you can get a standard 3rd row (with zero space behind that row), in a mini-van that is not likely to be as safe as an X5 in terms of either dynamic safety or crumple zones. It is all relative. If the aftermarket seat meets federal standards for anchoring and head restraints (as they advertise) then that would go some way towards making me feel safer.

We used to ride in the third row in Vista Cruisers and Ford wagons, and they were fine. Rode in the second row (rear facing) in a Subaru Brat, nothing more than plastic seats mounted in the pickup box, with no rollover protection. This seems much safer than that.

I think everybody has to make their own personal decisions.

I remember how much fun it was to ride facing backwards in a station wagon, but after seeing what can happen in a rear end collision there is no way I'd put my kids in the back of something not designed for having seats.