Split tailgate opinions.

[Captain Douchebag]

Hi all I am starting to research buying a new truck. I was almost 100% sold on the X5 until I saw that the tailgate is actually 2 doors. Just seems like an added inconvenience to me.

To those of you who have lived with the truck for a while what are your opinions on the door? Do you like it, hate it, don't care, wish they would change it?

I imagine one would either never bother opening the lower door when using the rear and scratching up the paint or you would always have to open and close it every time you go in there. In that case what is the point of having a power lift gate if you still have to open it manually?

Thanks for the input.

[sand99]

I wasn't a huge fan of the split tailgate design either, it just didn't make sense to me until I got my X5 home and parked it in the garage.

By splitting the tailgate into 2 sections, the tailgate isn't as long -- allowing you to open it even in tighter spaces. Yes, you can program the opening height in iDrive, but the X5 is somewhat long and if your garage isn't you won't have enough room length-wise. As a result, when I park in my garage I don't have to worry if I pulled in enough.

Another benefit: loading heavy boxes is a little easier.

[r33_RGSport]

2nd to sand99.

[DavidTSG]

I've had the split tailgate for about 3 years. For the most part, I like it. To the point of the other commenters, it gives you some room when opening the top part of the gate. It doesn't feel like you're going to hit the garage wall every time.

I don't typically open the bottom portion. The top edge when closed is only a few inches above the floor of the cargo area, so it's not a huge difference to lift most cargo over that. I can't say I've ever scratched the paint as a result of leaving it closed. Once in a while, I open the bottom gate so that I can slide longer or heavier cargo rather than lift it over, in which case closing it manually is not an inconvenience.

[Snow-Kidney]

From Alex on Autos: Another benefit is that you can leave bottom door open while top is closed to carry long flat items.

I can imagine pros and cons for the double door. I'm 6'4 so I actually like it.

[Barbja]

I had 2 Xs that had split gates, then my 3rd, an X6 didn't. I missed the split gate. I just felt like my trunk stuff was more secure being enclosed on four sides all the time. The bottom gate was extra handy when my son was young. It's an impromptu changing table, dressing room, and picnic bench.

[MtgMaster]

Love the split gate. 3 reasons:

Enables me to open gate in my garage.

it shields the bumper from potential scratches when loading and unloading.

It prevents thing from falling out.

[Predsboro71]

I'm on my 14th year with an X5 (2001 E53 and now 2015 F15). I LOVE the split tailgate for all the above reasons ... plus it's an awesome place to sit if you want to chat with friends or even have an ice cream with your special someone. It seems like it could be an inconvenience but it's awesome ...

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Predsboro71

I'm on my 14th year with an X5 (2001 E53 and now 2015 F15). I LOVE the split tailgate for all the above reasons ... plus it's an awesome place to sit if you want to chat with friends or even have an ice cream with your special someone. It seems like it could be an inconvenience but it's awesome ...

Regarding that. Does anyone know the maximum weight the tailgate can handle?

[opasha]

Originally Posted by r33

Regarding that. Does anyone know the maximum weight the tailgate can handle?

I'm assuming because you want to sit on it and enjoy a nice ocean view . I am curious about the weight as well.

[Captain Douchebag]

I read 550lbs somewhere but I can't recall where.

Seems like everybody who actually has them likes them. I am constantly in and out of my tailgate all day so I just assumed it would get in my way. I will have to try it out to see how it feels.

A power bottom section would be pretty cool though.

[pinstripe1]

Agreed on the points above. Split gate is a great feature.

[Captain Douchebag]

"The open tailgate can be loaded with up to
550 lbs/250 kg."

Page 43 of the owners manual.

[vadriver]

Don't have mine yet but looking forward to crap not falling out every time i open the hatch like it does on out ML

[chiplee]

Echo what others have said. You want it. Very nice feature. How else would you tailgate at a 4th if July parade or ball game? And it's convenient for all of the reasons people have mentioned and more.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by MtgMaster

Love the split gate. 3 reasons:

Enables me to open gate in my garage.

it shields the bumper from potential scratches when loading and unloading.

It prevents thing from falling out.

+3, one for each point above.. It's invaluable, IMO.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by Captain Douchebag

I read 550lbs somewhere but I can't recall where.

Seems like everybody who actually has them likes them. I am constantly in and out of my tailgate all day so I just assumed it would get in my way. I will have to try it out to see how it feels.

A power bottom section would be pretty cool though.

Originally Posted by Captain Douchebag

"The open tailgate can be loaded with up to
550 lbs/250 kg."

Page 43 of the owners manual.

Thanks, buddy!

[Barbja]

Originally Posted by Captain Douchebag

Seems like everybody who actually has them likes them. I am constantly in and out of my tailgate all day so I just assumed it would get in my way.

This made me think of something: it does make it difficult for small people like me to reach stuff in the way back since you have to clear an extra 18" when the gate is down. I think I just climbed onto the gate in those situations. I wasn't too proud to do that.

My X6 was a different story. It did not have a split gate, but its rear is up higher. If I couldn't reach something, it wasn't pretty. Oh, one of those lowering air suspensions ... That's what I need!

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by r33

Regarding that. Does anyone know the maximum weight the tailgate can handle?

If that's a concern, maybe skip the ice cream.

[MattBianco]

Split tailgate reduced my options amongst many, including Cayenne, to LX570 and X5. I can sit my kids on the bottom gate and put on and take off their ski boots, wipe off the sand from beach outings, or give them a comfy place to sit and have a picnic on drives to large parklands. Also, as said by others, the gate can open inside my garage with ease, where as my R500 could not. My LX470 has even a wider bottom gate, and I like that even more. I only wish the glass on the gate was a separate door.

[Armen383]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

I can sit my kids on the bottom gate and put on and take off their ski boots, wipe off the sand from beach outings, or give them a comfy place to sit and have a picnic on drives to large parklands.

Yes, yes and yes to all of that ) Split tailgate is literally a life savior... well, more like a mocha nappa interior savior, but still

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by Armen383

Yes, yes and yes to all of that ) Split tailgate is literally a life savior... well, more like a mocha nappa interior savior, but still

How the heck did you know?