[April1]

Tail gate has a glass fitted with a slot left open all around the glass. It adds a little beauty to the get up but adds a nuisance as dust gets accumulated in the slot and needs cleaning everyday with a special brush.

I'm not sure if a gasket around the glass would have solved the issue without making it bad looking. Any comments?

[Nahoa]

It holds a lot of water, too. One of those annoying areas when drying the car. Not that big of a deal to me, though. Mine doesn't seem to collect any more crud than the rest of the rear, less if anything. You clean that every day? You have a blower or something in a parking garage that's pushing dust in there?

[Lotus7]

Although the "groove" around the rear glass does look nice, it seems to be the place where any dirt that's rinsed off the window tends to accumulate when it rains. Then when the car drys, the groove is filled with dust or dirt. The same thing happens to the top of the rear bumper cover because it's completely flat and not slightly tilted down at the back so water runs off. Sometime "styling" takes precedent over practicality.

Both issues are probably only noticed by us "A-type" personalities who wash their own cars. People who take their X3s to automatic car washes never get to learn these details.

[April1]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

You clean that every day? You have a blower or something in a parking garage that's pushing dust in there?

I have V. Red colored X3. Though I have a multi floor parking garage for office too but it's open from all sides and I see a white layer of dust on the top surface every day. When I reach home, the first thing I do is to dust it clean with a light touch of cotton California duster. It takes just 5 minutes

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Although the "groove" around the rear glass does look nice, it seems to be the place where any dirt that's rinsed off the window tends to accumulate when it rains. Then when the car drys, the groove is filled with dust or dirt. The same thing happens to the top of the rear bumper cover because it's completely flat and not slightly tilted down at the back so water runs off. Sometime "styling" takes precedent over practicality.

Both issues are probably only noticed by us "A-type" personalities who wash their own cars. People who take their X3s to automatic car washes never get to learn these details.

So true for the rear bumper top surface, we need extra efforts to rinse the water off.

Yes I wash my car myself, i enjoy doing it. So far, I got it washed by detailers just once in last 5 months.

[Radioactive]

I haven't notice a dirt problem when I wash the car, but I've had a problem with the tail light access covers falling off. It's happened about 5 times. Go figure.

[johnbmw6]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Although the "groove" around the rear glass does look nice, it seems to be the place where any dirt that's rinsed off the window tends to accumulate when it rains. Then when the car drys, the groove is filled with dust or dirt. The same thing happens to the top of the rear bumper cover because it's completely flat and not slightly tilted down at the back so water runs off. Sometime "styling" takes precedent over practicality.

Both issues are probably only noticed by us "A-type" personalities who wash their own cars. People who take their X3s to automatic car washes never get to learn these details.

Agree both "Water traps" it is very annoying trying to blow the water out.

[nonagon]

Can anyone provide an image of this issue?

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by nonagon

Can anyone provide an image of this issue?

Just look at the gap directly under the rear window.

[nonagon]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Just look at the gap directly under the rear window.

Car hasn't arrived yet.

[tuco44]

Really can't see why this is a big deal at all.........??

There is always some place on any vehicle (eg. grill area, rear hatch, gas filler area, etc) that leaks/drips a bit of water after a wash, and you just wipe it off. One has to be pretty OCD to think this is a "design error"....relax.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by tuco44

Really can't see why this is a big deal at all.........??

There is always some place on any vehicle (eg. grill area, rear hatch, gas filler area, etc) that leaks/drips a bit of water after a wash, and you just wipe it off. One has to be pretty OCD to think this is a "design error"....relax.

It's not major but as I take the dog out in the car every day and I live in a wet climate, most time I open hatch water drips (more than drips but not gushing either). Some ends up in the boot (trunk). Hard to know why they did this.

[Hornet_Rider]

The main design problem I think is more the location of the handle to lower the tail gate... it should have been on the bottom, like all the other SUVs I have seen, instead of on the inside panel. You need a reverse grip to hold it... not great.

[clivem2]

The X3 position is common on most boot (trunks) lids I've come across. This position could make it less likely you'll trap your hand.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by Hornet_Rider

The main design problem I think is more the location of the handle to lower the tail gate... it should have been on the bottom, like all the other SUVs I have seen, instead of on the inside panel. You need a reverse grip to hold it... not great.

Another reason for going for the power tailgate. All it takes is a single "pinkey push" to open or close. Any 6-year old can do it. The lovely robotic whirring sound is a bonus. Absolutely love it.