New-to-me '08 E61. What is the purpose of this compartment? What is the purpose of the divider? Am I missing an additional divider(s)? What is the intended utility of this feature?

 

I don't know that it's for anything in particular. I have a small socket set that I keep in front of that divider. According to RealOEM there might be a longer and shorter version of those dividers and I presume they criss-cross over those lines in the carpet perhaps.

 

I saw that diagram, but it's not clear if every car has one or more of either or both, or how they are intended to be used. It looks like there could/should be more than one short one (assuming it's meant to be longitudinal), and can't be more than one long one (lateral). It's such a shallow space, I'm not sure what it's meant for practically. Sockets makes sense, but not from the perspective of the typical (new) BMW buyer.

 

Probably tools.

I found an empty compartment and stored whatever I wanted in there that fit.

 

This is on Ebay but I think this is designed for the floors that have a single floor panel whereas you and I have 2 separate panels that lift up. I think the storage compartment under is a bit different. In the diagram above I believe you and I have part 18 which has a different type of divider for the rear section that is integrated into the rear cover panel. This Ebay link is for people who have part 5 and hence they have more room for multiple dividers. I have a feeling that if you have part 18 there isn't much room or availability for additional dividers due to the support bar (#19) below.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165957806...QAAOSwRE5jHu95

 

You are correct. I have two panels. The front one is the one that may or may not be missing parts.

 

For the rear cargo bin on mine the lid stands up vertically and has two partitions that I can fold out and slide back and forth, works quite well to put grocery bags between. For whatever reason I can't seem to find any images online but I'm happy to take a photo of mine when I get home from work and post here. I believe part 13 is the partition.

 

Sounds like I have the same rear compartment set up. That's all there and functional (needs a new strut, but that's just a matter of remembering to include it in my next parts order), and I use it for groceries as well. I live in the mountains, so things get flung hither and yon without it or something similar.

I guess the question is whether or not there are supposed to be one or more small dividers in the front compartment like in the ebay link:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165957806...QAAOSwRE5jHu95
... only half the length due to being two compartment setup.

The parts diagram:

...shows two different length dividers (#6, #7), but also shows both compartment types (#5, #18). It's not clear if those are for one, the other, or both.

Looking at the parts diagrams next to the photos of both types, I wonder if the fore/aft depressions in the liner aren't there just for strength. They're present in the full length compartment, and the longitudinal divider could go in any of them. Those same ribs run the length of both front and rear compartments in the two compartment setup, and in the rear compartment, don't seem to do anything since the dividers are fixed laterally by their hinges in the lid... It may be that that single lateral divider is all there is, and nothing is missing.

 

I also just bought an e61 wagon, and I also have the two-door situation in the trunk. As far as I can tell, it's nearly impossible to open them both at the same time to access the spare wheel. I have seen pictures of e61's with a single trunk floor door, and I would much prefer that. Is there any way to order one of those, or am I going to have to make one out of wood?

 

It's reasonably easy once you know what to do, considering how often it's needed. Some disassembly is required (i.e. the rear hatch lid must come off).