I was merely guessing. I have yet to see an X5 with out it. Most dealers get it, and they advise most custom-orderers to get it for resale value.

I heard that BMW pressured Dealers to order the third seat on all units that they were taking into stock. BMW seems to be trying to make a point about having seating for 5 plus 2 verrrry small people.

I agree, I can't see any reason to get that third row....if you need a third row you need a bigger vehicle.

My dealer has X5's without third row. When talking to him no pressure about ordering one with third row.

Maybe it's like this: The dealer had an allocation for sold orders only. Without the order, the dealer may not have been able to get a unit for their lot. This is common when a manufacturer can't meet demand. Even though a dealer may have allocation, the manufacturer will not build and ship a vehicle unless it is a sold unit. In this way the manufacturer gets more vehicles on the road (as opposed to dealers lots) leading hopefully to more exposure of the new model and more sales.

Only anecdotal, and no freakin' arm wrestle;

The "two" I've seen, at Stlr last weekend,
didn't have the 3rd shelf, er..."row".

If I was buying one and the Stlr urged me
to get it, I'd urge him to find another customer.

It's the equivalent of the 150 gallon Jacuzzi bathtub
we all have, that no one has ever been in,imo.

Stlr trip & assorted pics:
http://http://www.xoutpost.com/lounge...trip-stlr.html

order it without second and third row seats and put a hot tub in the back...;)

they sit 10 right? :rofl::rofl::rofl: