Mine = Aug '09 build, no strut. Working with my dealer now to get one installed. Frigging cheapskates. Bad enough they took away the rechargeable flashlight.

Did you get the space saver spare on your BTO?

FWIW the ML320 BlueTec has a seriously cheesy strap attached to the underside of cargo bay floor. Using it requires two hands. One to hold up the floor board and the other to detach it from the floor board and hook it over the upper door jam. The MB salesman just looked a little sheepish when I told him how cheap this was for as $60k vehicle.

Thanks in Advance - Funf Dreisig

Yes; I did add the spare, Funf. I didn't consider the Benz (or any other car besides the X5 for that matter).

That's annoying, especially since the cargo floor is large on the X5. On the X3 and 325i touring, the floor is held up by the plastic clip/hook in the cargo cover handle.

July 7 build, didn't have it, bitched about it, dealer installed it at no charge.

Me too. Dealer tried to make me feel dumb about complaining about it, but I don't think an auto manufacturer should short change some of their customers on a $60K auto. Not an appropriate product to try to chinse out on.

For third row seat X5
 

Does anybody make a shock kit for the small lid on the 3rd row seat models?
I know, it's a small door, but it would serve the same function, and cool factor.