[Peepers]

Hey guys, I'm currently a 2011 e92 335xi owner and looking at picking up a used 2013 X3 for my wife and I have a question about the power tailgate.

The X3 I'm looking at is a Canadian model, and the dealer (non-BMW dealer) is claiming is has the following packages:

* Navigation Package - easy to confirm visually, and yes it's there

* Executive Package
- Comfort Access
- Heated Rear Seats
- HiFi Sound System
- Lumbar Support
- Manual Side Sunshades
- SIRIUS Sat Radio Tuner
- Storage Compartment Package
- Through Loading System
- Universal Remote Control

* Premium Package
- Auto Dimming Exterior Mirrors
- Auto Dimming Interior Mirrors
- Automatic Trunk
- Bi-Xenon Headlights w/LED Corona Rings
- Panoram Sunroof
- Park Distance Control, Front and Rear
- Rear View Camera with Top View

According to the dealer''s "claimed packages" is that this car should have an automatic tailgate. However, when I look in the truck area, the "power close buttom" is no where to be found. I think it should be there but it isn't?

So my question is: does the key fob buttom open AND close the tailgate? Also, is there a button towards the hood release that opens the tailgate - just like on my e92 that pops the trunk?

Could the tailgate be retrofit to install the power button as seen here #7 (realOEM)



Let me know your thoughts
Thanks

[bradleyland]

I'd test it out with the key FOB. Press the trunk release button on the FOB for about 1 second and the tailgate should rise up. If that doesn't work, just press the trunk release button located in the lower left kick-panel on the driver's side. If neither of those work, the car doesn't have the power liftgate option, no matter what the dealer tells you.

Can't help you with the retrofit, but based on where that button is, I'd say it's a long shot. That's a long way to run a superfluous wire harness, just to omit the button.

[pokerface]

Exec does not have rear heated seats, at least not in Canada. Hmm

[Peepers]

bradleyland, my gut feeling is that all the wiring harness are the same to save on manufacturing costs, it's just what's "plugged" into the harness (ie: lift gate motors, lift gate close button, etc ...). A perfect example of this is that all X3's are wired up for rear foglights, you just need to install the European switch

pokerface, I was basing the Canadian packages on the 2014 X3 packages (bmw.ca). It appears that 2014's get rear heated seats if the Exec package is ordered? Do you happen to know / have a copy of the 2013 packages and what was included??

[jknj]

OK, for all who state that to control manufacturing costs, the wiring is there: You would be incorrect! BMW seems to have a different wire loom for every combination of options. This forum is full of those facts. Check it out. I had that experience as well on my 2005 x3, which had lots of options, but no HiFi speaker wires. Even the connection to amp was different. The wire loom isn't one piece, but rather many smaller sections, and if locally to that part of the car, they don't need the wire, they drop it, probably to save costs. You can see this on RealOem.com, where they spell out all the different wire sections. Even knockout panels are different, to save the cost of punching a hole where it is not needed. Car economics are actually very different than other products, which DO work the way many describe. Cars do not, at least at BMW.

[fjrmann]

Originally Posted by Peepers

Could the tailgate be retrofit to install the power button as seen here #7 (realOEM)
Let me know your thoughts
Thanks

No it can not be retrofitted easily. Throw enough money at it and you could have the feature. go look for another car that has all the features you desire.

Dealers, especially those that are selling makes unfamiliar to the dealership, do not take the time to research properly.

Go to:
http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/

Put the last 7 digits of the vin number in and all the features of the BMW will be shown.

The code for my 2011 X3:
S316A AUTOMATISCHE HECKKLAPPENBETAETIGUNG automatic trunk lid mechanism

I have switch 1 and switch 7 with the included comfort access package installed

[Ml3456]

If it does have a power gate the US version (w/o CA) only will open but can be coded to close.

[Ml3456]

BTW. My wife's doesn't have comfort access and the at is a bitch to lock. You can only use the fob! Your fingers won't lock it. She it had to be a guy who made this decision who never carried a baby or groceries and a purse!

[elbman]

Originally Posted by Ml3456

If it does have a power gate the US version (w/o CA) only will open but can be coded to close.

The CA version can also be coded to close with the Fob or Button in the front drivers side.

[lbjgh]

Peepers, the premium package includes the power tailgate on the '13 x3.

[E92LNGCGY]

I have 2012 X3 and the key fob only open the tail gate but not close. Power tail gate can be closed by pushing the button shown on the diagram (last item on the right #7)

[Roadmaster]

The vehicle has the feature but BMW might disable this option because it does not have APS (Anti pinch sensor). If it does not have a sensor to protect the people, it might not pass the NA safety standard. You perhaps need someone to endable this option. but coding required. It know it maybe too late to reply but just in case if someone else was wondering about this issues.

[Smithy2014]

not sure it UK specs are different but i can open and close my tailgate with the fob, press the tailgate button to open and hold the tailgate button and it closes, if you release the button it will stop the tailgate at where it is

[02420X3]

Power closing of the tailgate is disabled in North America. It can be enabled with coding.