They seem to be doing some recoding in Europe (private - not through stealership) and folks can now close the trunk via the remote. So its possible.

Cheers,

What?? I wouldn't say they "like to pay more for less". It's just that they're paying too much for what they get :)

I thought that the Europeans could close the trunk/hatch by the remote? You can in RSA can't you?

interesting - on my wife's Mazda CX-9, you can open or close the rear hatch with the remote.

Only opens with remote down here.......

I've heard the legal excuse many times, but am just perplexed on why it would be any different to the remote closing doors for the minivans and trunks of other SUV's. If anything wouldn't the minivan doors be the worst? Those are intended for families with lots of kids who may or may not know what to do when the door closes. It's pathetic that BMW lawyers can't figure out that you can just stick a warning label and let the idiots who try and sue to prove their case. It's not like these things move all that fast and can do that much damage to the human body even if you stand underneath. You could just as easily close the side door on someone by accident.

If BMW sold a mini-van with powered side doors, I am sure they would not allow remote closing in the US market.

It's a manufacturer-specif decision, and BMW is paranoid, while some other manufacturers of SUV's and Minivans are not.

My Chevy Tahoe allows to open and close with the remote.