MINI2

jshadz · Apr 14th, 2005, 07:16 AM

I was told that the roof rack from MINI requires holes to be drilled into the roof of the car. I wanted to know if there were any aftermarket racks that could be used with the MINI and would not cause any damage to the vehicle. Thanks.

Jameson

scooperman_uk · Apr 14th, 2005, 08:33 AM

mont blanc roof racks dont require drilling for fitting.

jwardell · Apr 14th, 2005, 02:40 PM

Yes there are several. Yakima and Thule both make racks. The MontBlanc rack seems to be better engineered for the MINI and was my choice.

You should use the search function to find the many threads discussing roof racks.

Here is one that has a good discussion.

MattMan · Apr 17th, 2005, 08:58 AM

I personally am a Yakima fan. Have been for years. But alas, Yakima's rack for the MINI is very subpar right now. It can only hold about 50 lbs, and don't be fooled by those who say to ingnore that. Supposedly, Yakima is redoing their design for the MINI by next month as I was told by a family member who owns a bike shop and sells quite a bit of Thule and Yakima. So, if your interested in Yakima their new design should be out soon. As always, there is no drilling. As soon as this new rack design comes out, I'm getting it. As soon as I get it, i'll post and let you know.

Bilbo Baggins · Apr 17th, 2005, 03:04 PM

I have the MINI factory rack and will be getting another on my new '05 MCS. Don't worry about the drilled holes, I have had mine since Oct of '02. I have had zero problems with the rack. The load capacity of the factory rack is 75kg/165lbs, no other rack even comes close to that.

I can haul two bicycles, or two ocean kayaks (22kg/55lbs each), or a cargo box, or any combo of the above. The cross bars are very easy to mount and dis-mount, only a couple of minutes. The bicycle attachment is very solid allowing any legal speeds (or maybe more, or so I have been told) vibration free. The wheel-on rack is also very secure because it wraps the frame in steel and has nice locks built in. See my gallery.

Thule accessories will fit the MINI cross bars. This is a very versatile rack system.

I only have one minor complaint and that is that the rack cross bars vibrate if you do not have anything on them. Not really a problem. I only mount the cross bars if I am taking the bikes, kayaks, or cargo box and then it is, NO problemo.

snid · Apr 18th, 2005, 01:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bilbo Baggins

I only have one minor complaint and that is that the rack cross bars vibrate if you do not have anything on them. Not really a problem. I only mount the cross bars if I am taking the bikes, kayaks, or cargo box and then it is, NO problemo.

Vibrate, or whistle? Mine whistle, never had any other problems, though.

If you need a roof rack, get the factory rack. If you might want a roof rack every once in a while, go 3rd party. The factory rack is wonderful. The "holes" in the roof are not a problem.

mtdave2 · Apr 18th, 2005, 02:43 AM

any photos of the cars with the roof racks on them? does it take away from the sleak look much?

jshadz · Apr 19th, 2005, 05:30 AM

I do not want to damage the car, than again I do not have an MCS, still waiting, maybe the new Yakima rack will suffice, have time to wait anyway.

Thanks
Jameson

ilya · Jul 12th, 2008, 09:20 AM

I am about to get a Mini base system and cycle rack fitted for my cooper. Would be really helpful to get opinions from those who have had this fitted. Pros and cons? Cheers.

Jinkster · Aug 6th, 2008, 10:43 PM

Also, bumping the thread - what does anyone recommend?

Apr 14th, 2005, 07:16 AM	#1
jshadz MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 08:03 PM Posts: 7 Offline	Roof Rack I was told that the roof rack from MINI requires holes to be drilled into the roof of the car. I wanted to know if there were any aftermarket racks that could be used with the MINI and would not cause any damage to the vehicle. Thanks. Jameson

Apr 14th, 2005, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
jwardell MINI2 Master Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Newton, MA Local Time: 07:03 PM Posts: 5,410 Offline	Yes there are several. Yakima and Thule both make racks. The MontBlanc rack seems to be better engineered for the MINI and was my choice. You should use the search function to find the many threads discussing roof racks. Here is one that has a good discussion. http://www.jwardell.com/mini/

Apr 17th, 2005, 03:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bilbo Baggins MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Shire, Middle Earth Local Time: 08:03 PM Posts: 8,852 Offline	I have the MINI factory rack and will be getting another on my new '05 MCS. Don't worry about the drilled holes, I have had mine since Oct of '02. I have had zero problems with the rack. The load capacity of the factory rack is 75kg/165lbs, no other rack even comes close to that. I can haul two bicycles, or two ocean kayaks (22kg/55lbs each), or a cargo box, or any combo of the above. The cross bars are very easy to mount and dis-mount, only a couple of minutes. The bicycle attachment is very solid allowing any legal speeds (or maybe more, or so I have been told) vibration free. The wheel-on rack is also very secure because it wraps the frame in steel and has nice locks built in. See my gallery. Thule accessories will fit the MINI cross bars. This is a very versatile rack system. I only have one minor complaint and that is that the rack cross bars vibrate if you do not have anything on them. Not really a problem. I only mount the cross bars if I am taking the bikes, kayaks, or cargo box and then it is, NO problemo. Motor on, Dudes and Dudettes!!! '06 MCS SB/S '02 MCS DS/W (retired)

Apr 18th, 2005, 01:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
snid brown is back Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Local Time: 07:03 PM Posts: 4,220 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Bilbo Baggins I only have one minor complaint and that is that the rack cross bars vibrate if you do not have anything on them. Not really a problem. I only mount the cross bars if I am taking the bikes, kayaks, or cargo box and then it is, NO problemo. Vibrate, or whistle? Mine whistle, never had any other problems, though. If you need a roof rack, get the factory rack. If you might want a roof rack every once in a while, go 3rd party. The factory rack is wonderful. The "holes" in the roof are not a problem. jtross \| snid \| jason - bloggage (including videos)

Apr 19th, 2005, 05:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
jshadz MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 08:03 PM Posts: 7 Offline	thanks I do not want to damage the car, than again I do not have an MCS, still waiting, maybe the new Yakima rack will suffice, have time to wait anyway. Thanks Jameson

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Apr 14th, 2005, 08:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
scooperman_uk almost 59k Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reading / Berks / Uk Local Time: 01:03 AM Posts: 5,127 Offline	mont blanc roof racks dont require drilling for fitting.

Apr 17th, 2005, 08:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
MattMan MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Salt Lake City Local Time: 06:03 PM Posts: 47 Offline	I personally am a Yakima fan. Have been for years. But alas, Yakima's rack for the MINI is very subpar right now. It can only hold about 50 lbs, and don't be fooled by those who say to ingnore that. Supposedly, Yakima is redoing their design for the MINI by next month as I was told by a family member who owns a bike shop and sells quite a bit of Thule and Yakima. So, if your interested in Yakima their new design should be out soon. As always, there is no drilling. As soon as this new rack design comes out, I'm getting it. As soon as I get it, i'll post and let you know.

Apr 18th, 2005, 02:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
mtdave2 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Antonio Tx Local Time: 12:03 AM Posts: 35 Offline	any photos of the cars with the roof racks on them? does it take away from the sleak look much?

Jul 12th, 2008, 09:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
ilya MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Local Time: 01:03 AM Posts: 1 Offline	I am about to get a Mini base system and cycle rack fitted for my cooper. Would be really helpful to get opinions from those who have had this fitted. Pros and cons? Cheers.

Aug 6th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jinkster MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Yorkshire, England Local Time: 12:03 AM Posts: 96 Offline	Also, bumping the thread - what does anyone recommend?

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