[santacruz]

Does anyone know how the roof rack system proposed for the MINI will work and look in practice? The accessories brochure describes how the base rails will mount onto threaded sockets or anchorage points installed by the dealer. This sounds rather complicated. Has anyone got first hand experience of this or anymore details?

Have to be able to carry my mountainbike otherwise I'll have to stick with my boring 3 series coupe

[noahe]

This was mentioned earlier. Do a search. But be warned, I seem to remember something about drilling into your roof. It is a dealer-fit option, not a factory option.

Wait a little bit. Companies like Thule and Yakima are VERY creative, and often come up with solutions. There are actually specific racks for the Audi TT and VW New Beetle, so I woulldn't be surprised if they come up with something very soon after the launch...

Anyway, the system racks are almost always more versatile than the goofy OEM racks manufacturers put on their cars. Wait for it, it will happen.

In the meantime, there is a bike rack, made by Sarius called "Bones" that WILL fit a MINI. Two models, for 2 bikes or 3 bikes. Try this link:
Saris Bike and Sports Racks
They fit anything, our Sunfire, Minivans, PT Cruiser, Miata, you name it. (I've test-fit it.)

[santacruz]

thanks noahe, I did a search and followed the thread on this subject from February and the comments are much as I thought following my own research through BMW and Thule. I've even heard that a Thule dealer fitted a system to a MINI on the rain channels and surprise surprise they were ripped off (a double whammie damaged car and wrecked mtb........my worst nightmare). I use a Thule system on my 3 Series and it bolts very neatly and securely into the roof anchorages so I'm surprised BMW overlooked this at the design stage of the MINI.

Despite some peoples views on using a roof rack on a MINI I'm of the same view as you and want to be able to combine both passions (the Cooper S and my mountainbike) and head off with my kit and not have to use a second car.

[noahe]

BTW, the Saris Bones rack is very secure, and holds with three feet (wide spaced) and 6 straps. With the nylon webbing and quick-locking thingys, it still installs in like 30 seconds. You just strap it on, strap in the bike, tie off the ends if you're going any distance (to prevent flapping or catastrophic failure) and you're off. The biggest boon of the Bones is it's stability. It holds the bikes tight, and tight against the car. You could even take the MINI for a moderately sprightly drive, and not worry.

I had to buy the Bones rack, and two hatch-hugger kits for it to fit my Sunfire 2-dr coupe. Happily, this is the same configuration needed for the MINI. It also holds my MTN bike, and my spouse's touring (classic) bike. Yes, we look funny riding together. Oh well.

[Colorado "S"]

Here's two pictures I took this past weekend. My dealer said it took them 6 hours of labor to install the MINI rack. Drilling IS required





Roof Rack High Res Gallary

[noahe]

Hmm... Those aren't as slick as I would have expected. Sure, the mount is neat, but the bars seem centered a little too much, too close together.

I'm sure they're functional - they're the good east-west kind, rather than the kinda useless north-south kind some auto manufacturers put on wagons, minivans and SUV's more for appearance than utility.

They're also awful tall. Is it a all-in-one solution for the sunroof'd cars too?

Finally, I hope they get better at installing them. With 6 hours labour involved in installing them, they would be REALLY expensive, even if MINI were giving away the racks for free.

I'll wait for Thule or Yakima to invent something.

[santacruz]

It's useful to see some pics of a real live MINI with roof rack fitted rather than BMW's glossy shots which could easily be mugged up. Still I'm more interested in seeing what the anchors in the roof look like when the rack is off...what are you left with. Also as the dealer fits them if he screws up (drills holes in the wrong place) o they give you a new car? I don't think so......so you carry the liability whereas if it was a factory fitted option BMW would be liable (or would ust use a bit of filler and you'd never know!!!!). I think as someone said before they're not keen for anyone to use a roof rack full stop. They haven't done their market research all that well I think many people will want/need the ability to put a roof rack on.

Hope Thule come up with something.

Noahe, problem with the bones rack (very cool looking)is how do I get one in the UK? I've looked at their site but no dealers over here. Oh well a tour of the rockies might be on the cards!

[santacruz]

Thanks for the pictures..........fancy going down to your dealer and getting him to whip the rails off so you can take a picture of the anchorages and what the roof looks like without the rack???

[smiffy]

That roof rack doesnt look wide enough for a MINI with a sunroof

[noahe]

I think you could get a Saris Bones bike rack shipped to you. I did a search on Yahoo UK, and found some euro links:

A swiss company, Velo Direct has them.
Same with Felix

Okay, so I can only find swiss ones, but there has to be a distributor. They are sold through Graber, which is a German company I think. Write them an email, they are very helpful, and helped me sort out fitting one to a MINI.

[santacruz]

Thanks, will do. Certainly Germany/Switzerland are closer than Canada if I have to go and get one

Still I'm a roof rack convert... much easier as the bike is out of the way of tampering fingers etc.

I got in touch with Thule through their local dealer and this is their response.............

Hi ....

The new Mini still has a conventional raingutter so the standard 951 footpack and 761 bars in the thule range fit. We have these available from stock at a total cost of £49.00

Regards

Keith

Oh dear.......I've already heard of a set up like this stripping the gutters off

[noahe]

Huh, I like roof racks too, but the MINI is so low, it puts the bike right at eye level, and perfect to tamper with. With the rack, park behind a small truck, and you're hidden.

[Silver Surfer]

when the roof rack is removed you get little roof colour
grommets to fit in the holes

[gromit]

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver Surfer
when the roof rack is removed you get little roof colour
grommets to fit in the holes

And it sure is uncomfortable riding up there in nasty weather....

[santacruz]

Latest from Thule makes for interesting reading on this subject (or saga.........or little mini adventure ). My local Thule dealer sent me this reply when I pointed out that a rack mounted off the rain gutter could be a problem..........

Quote:

Hi

Sounds like BMW are back tracking rapidly as we have just received information that they are having some problems with the gutter coming away from the bodywork.

If they no longer recommend the gutter as a fixture, we have nothing else to offer as an alternative.

It may well be that Thule will develop a gutterless fitting kit to work on your mini in the near future.

Regards

Keith

[jbkone]

I wanted the rack. Now I don't. Drilling? Not mine! How am I going to get my bike to the trail? Friends house? Vacation? I'll have to take out the tires I guess and hope I don't get chain grease inside

Maybe I'll have to get a 2004 model after this one for the mounting points?

[Cooper i Do]

Here is one from Halfords.
Cost 75,00 Euro.
Its fitted to the bootdoor with straps.
I have use one similair as this one for many years without problems.

Catch Ya Later,
Cooper I Do

Still Counting!

[smiffy]

http://mini2.com/gallery/personal/dcfkan/apple17a.jpg

[santacruz]

Think you're missing the point here...can't downhill on a Brompton...certainly not the last time I looked.
In fact can't think what you can do with a Brompton!

[daverees]

Quote:

Originally posted by Colorado "S"
Here's two pictures I took this past weekend. My dealer said it took them 6 hours of labor to install the MINI rack. Drilling IS required





Roof Rack High Res Gallary

daverees: Hi Colorado, see my thread also - briefly I have the rails and fitting kit but not yet drilled myself as they don't come with "drilling" instructions - only mounting.

I chose to attempt myself as the dealer had never done it before and wanted £140 (2 HOURS LABOUR).

Can you ask your dealer any special type of drill-bit and what size / width drill-bit they used?