MINI2

d2create · Mar 22nd, 2004, 04:40 PM

Looking for pic of your roof (white if possible) that have the caps from the roof rack installed when the rack is not on the vehicle. I'm not too sure i like this idea of drilling in the roof and then having visible caps when it's not in use. But before I go and buy a hatch mounted rack I'd like to see these caps in action.

Thanks!

naparish · Mar 22nd, 2004, 08:50 PM

Here are a couple of pix showing the caps on one side of my MINI:

d2create · Mar 22nd, 2004, 09:44 PM

hmmm..... not TOO bad. So how easy is it to remove/install the rack? Do you like it? Do you know how much it cost to install the rack?

thanks!

Jeep-2-mini · Mar 22nd, 2004, 11:09 PM

I personally find it very easy to install/remove the rack - 5 mins by myself either way, would be quicker with two since you'd eliminate all that walking from side to side.

Overall I'm very pleased with mine - only thing missing is some decent tie down points for those of us who dont transport bikes.

Mark

DrewInBalto · Mar 23rd, 2004, 02:32 AM

g

Quote: Originally Posted by d2create

Looking for pic of your roof (white if possible) that have the caps from the roof rack installed when the rack is not on the vehicle. I'm not too sure i like this idea of drilling in the roof and then having visible caps when it's not in use. But before I go and buy a hatch mounted rack I'd like to see these caps in action.

Thanks!

Here you go. I have two bike carriers, and I take the rack and carriers off as a single unit.
Works great.

d2create · Mar 23rd, 2004, 05:19 PM

I can't believe what a rip-off Momentum BMW is in Houston. They want something like $500 just to do the installation!!!
I'm thinking maybe a body shop could do it? Anyone do it themselves. What are the tools needed? Do they come in the $27 installation kit or do they have to be bought separately?

gtt19 · Mar 23rd, 2004, 05:28 PM

the hardest part of the installation is getting the mount posts lined up. every MINI has the correct mounting point already in the roof....it's a matter of knowing where to punch the hole through the roof. thats the most difficult part of the install....punching the holes, and installing the permanent "nut" in each hole. this involves laying a pattern on top of the roof and measuring from several different basis points on the car to make sure that the pattern is lined up, and thus, correctly telling you where to punch the hole through the skin of the roof. so, fortunately, or unfortunately, it's not just a 30 minute job. now, i dont know if this warrants a 500 labor charge...but i do know that MINI N/A recommends a 7 hour install...so depending what your dealer charges per hour, that may or may not be right on.

as far as i know, the install kit simply includes the permanent "nuts" that go in each roof hole, and the caps that cover the holes when the roof rack posts are not on the roof. no tools are included.

hope this helps!

snid · Mar 23rd, 2004, 06:12 PM

Ignoring the price issue, the MINI factory roof rack is far superior to any of the aftermarket roof racks (Thule or Yakima) that clip onto the car. Much easier to put on / take off. Much more secure. Better looking. The downside is finding attachments for your bikes / skis / snowboards / kyaks / lawn furniture... The factory rack does not accept either Thule or Yakima attachments out of the box. A little work can get them going, though. I've got a Thule ski / snowboard carrier on my factory load bars, as the factory snowboard carrier is garbage.

So, if you need a roof rack, get the factory one. If you could sometimes use a roof rack, go aftermarket.

d2create · Mar 23rd, 2004, 08:06 PM

So it takes what? 6 hours to measure and an hour to punch the holes and install the nuts?

Thanks for the info though. Good to know.

chumitz · Mar 17th, 2005, 06:01 PM

I just got a roof rack installed (by BMW, its the Mini roof rack) on my 05 s. The damn thing whistles like a boiling teapot. BMW tried to fix it, said that I had a defective front roof rack, and replaced the front roof rack. however, they admittedly could not get rid of the whistle. anyone else experience this and know a fix? otherwise i'm going to have to have them take it off and replace my roof - i just cant drive my perfect mini with the whistling going on.....
HELP!

snid · Mar 17th, 2005, 06:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by chumitz

I just got a roof rack installed (by BMW, its the Mini roof rack) on my 05 s. The damn thing whistles like a boiling teapot. BMW tried to fix it, said that I had a defective front roof rack, and replaced the front roof rack. however, they admittedly could not get rid of the whistle. anyone else experience this and know a fix? otherwise i'm going to have to have them take it off and replace my roof - i just cant drive my perfect mini with the whistling going on.....
HELP!

Take the black rubber strip out of the front load bar.

chumitz · Mar 17th, 2005, 06:23 PM

that should kill the whistle?

chumitz · Mar 17th, 2005, 07:50 PM

doesnt the removal of the rubber strip allow water in where its not supposed to go?

chumitz · Mar 17th, 2005, 11:44 PM

so i removed the strip - and it worked!!! no more whistling.

are there any drainage issues i should know about?

Mar 22nd, 2004, 04:40 PM	#1
d2create MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 06:37 PM Posts: 266 Offline	Pics of Mini Roof Rack caps? Looking for pic of your roof (white if possible) that have the caps from the roof rack installed when the rack is not on the vehicle. I'm not too sure i like this idea of drilling in the roof and then having visible caps when it's not in use. But before I go and buy a hatch mounted rack I'd like to see these caps in action. Thanks!

Mar 22nd, 2004, 08:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
naparish MINI2 Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Oakland, CA Local Time: 04:37 PM Posts: 97 Offline	Here are a couple of pix showing the caps on one side of my MINI: Forget world peace -- visualize using your turn signals! Late 2003 BRG/W MCS from Brian Harris Mini in Baton Rouge, LA now at home in Oakland, CA

Mar 22nd, 2004, 11:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jeep-2-mini World Traveler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Barrow-in-Furness Local Time: 11:37 PM Posts: 1,200 Offline	I personally find it very easy to install/remove the rack - 5 mins by myself either way, would be quicker with two since you'd eliminate all that walking from side to side. Overall I'm very pleased with mine - only thing missing is some decent tie down points for those of us who dont transport bikes. Mark Lifes a reach ... and then you gybe

Mar 23rd, 2004, 02:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
DrewInBalto MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD, USA Local Time: 07:37 PM Posts: 2 Offline	Roof rack caps g Quote: Originally Posted by d2create Looking for pic of your roof (white if possible) that have the caps from the roof rack installed when the rack is not on the vehicle. I'm not too sure i like this idea of drilling in the roof and then having visible caps when it's not in use. But before I go and buy a hatch mounted rack I'd like to see these caps in action. Thanks! Here you go. I have two bike carriers, and I take the rack and carriers off as a single unit. Works great.

Mar 23rd, 2004, 05:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
gtt19 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ohio Local Time: 07:37 PM Posts: 135 Offline	the hardest part of the installation is getting the mount posts lined up. every MINI has the correct mounting point already in the roof....it's a matter of knowing where to punch the hole through the roof. thats the most difficult part of the install....punching the holes, and installing the permanent "nut" in each hole. this involves laying a pattern on top of the roof and measuring from several different basis points on the car to make sure that the pattern is lined up, and thus, correctly telling you where to punch the hole through the skin of the roof. so, fortunately, or unfortunately, it's not just a 30 minute job. now, i dont know if this warrants a 500 labor charge...but i do know that MINI N/A recommends a 7 hour install...so depending what your dealer charges per hour, that may or may not be right on. as far as i know, the install kit simply includes the permanent "nuts" that go in each roof hole, and the caps that cover the holes when the roof rack posts are not on the roof. no tools are included. hope this helps! Greg Giving the act of "shouting into your watch" a new definition - Incredibly MINI. http://www.hammerandcoop.com.

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Mar 22nd, 2004, 09:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
d2create MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 06:37 PM Posts: 266 Offline	hmmm..... not TOO bad. So how easy is it to remove/install the rack? Do you like it? Do you know how much it cost to install the rack? thanks!

Mar 23rd, 2004, 05:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
d2create MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 06:37 PM Posts: 266 Offline	I can't believe what a rip-off Momentum BMW is in Houston. They want something like $500 just to do the installation!!! I'm thinking maybe a body shop could do it? Anyone do it themselves. What are the tools needed? Do they come in the $27 installation kit or do they have to be bought separately?

Mar 23rd, 2004, 06:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
snid brown is back Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Local Time: 06:37 PM Posts: 4,220 Offline	Ignoring the price issue, the MINI factory roof rack is far superior to any of the aftermarket roof racks (Thule or Yakima) that clip onto the car. Much easier to put on / take off. Much more secure. Better looking. The downside is finding attachments for your bikes / skis / snowboards / kyaks / lawn furniture... The factory rack does not accept either Thule or Yakima attachments out of the box. A little work can get them going, though. I've got a Thule ski / snowboard carrier on my factory load bars, as the factory snowboard carrier is garbage. So, if you need a roof rack, get the factory one. If you could sometimes use a roof rack, go aftermarket. jtross \| snid \| jason - bloggage (including videos)

Mar 23rd, 2004, 08:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
d2create MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 06:37 PM Posts: 266 Offline	So it takes what? 6 hours to measure and an hour to punch the holes and install the nuts? Thanks for the info though. Good to know.

Mar 17th, 2005, 06:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
chumitz MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 11:37 PM Posts: 4 Offline	Roof Rack - ARGH I just got a roof rack installed (by BMW, its the Mini roof rack) on my 05 s. The damn thing whistles like a boiling teapot. BMW tried to fix it, said that I had a defective front roof rack, and replaced the front roof rack. however, they admittedly could not get rid of the whistle. anyone else experience this and know a fix? otherwise i'm going to have to have them take it off and replace my roof - i just cant drive my perfect mini with the whistling going on..... HELP!

Mar 17th, 2005, 06:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
snid brown is back Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Local Time: 06:37 PM Posts: 4,220 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by chumitz I just got a roof rack installed (by BMW, its the Mini roof rack) on my 05 s. The damn thing whistles like a boiling teapot. BMW tried to fix it, said that I had a defective front roof rack, and replaced the front roof rack. however, they admittedly could not get rid of the whistle. anyone else experience this and know a fix? otherwise i'm going to have to have them take it off and replace my roof - i just cant drive my perfect mini with the whistling going on..... HELP! Take the black rubber strip out of the front load bar. jtross \| snid \| jason - bloggage (including videos)

Mar 17th, 2005, 06:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
chumitz MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 11:37 PM Posts: 4 Offline	that should kill the whistle?

Mar 17th, 2005, 07:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
chumitz MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 11:37 PM Posts: 4 Offline	roof rack doesnt the removal of the rubber strip allow water in where its not supposed to go?

Mar 17th, 2005, 11:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
chumitz MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 11:37 PM Posts: 4 Offline	roof rack so i removed the strip - and it worked!!! no more whistling. are there any drainage issues i should know about?

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