Best roof rack for 06 models?

[Herbster]

I put this in another category but it probably belongs here. I've been talking with my dealer about roof rack options. He advises that the factory racks whistle and to get aftermarket racks. The technician says the rain gutters are now (06) aluminum with good rivets into the roof, so most racks should grab on there just fine. One guy they sold to has a rack on the rain gutters. But when I called Yakima they have not evaluated the 06 Mini Cooper only the 05 which they recommend the Q towers and clips that grab inside the door jam. I really don't like the door jam models and would really rather set the racks further apart than the door jam allows. Does anyone here have experience with 06 gutter mount options by Yakima or Thule? Either with towers and clips to the gutter or the straignt gutter mount models that use no towers? I have a heavy 55 pound Kayak to put on the roof so I am cautious. Thanks for any input.

[Lizard King]

i have a factory install roof rack on my Mini04 that i got install at my friend garage, they do whistle a bit, but i don't hear it anymore, you only hear it when you have your windows down and going no so fast, i also use it to cary a kayak. So if you really don't mind a small little whistle I suggest getting the factory.

[Herbster]

Thanks for the reply. I am starting to lean toward the factory rack but the dealer wants 4hours of labor ($400) to install it. I hate being a taken like that. I am sure they can do it in half that time. Anyway, are there any other experiences here with roof racks?

[Lizard King]

4 hours, it should only take them 1 1/2 hours from what there service sheets tells them, but my friend at his garage put it under 1 hours and he had never work on a mini, you might want to buy the install package and get it install somewhere else, the install package comes with the template to drill the holes and stuff, so you can tell the dealer he is bogus charging you for 4 hours works.

[jacobsen1]

We also have the factory racks. We like them a lot and they are VERY sturdy. It's the best solution for a lot of weight, but 55lbs ins't that much in reality. The THULE and Yakima racks are usually rated for ~110lbs for most cars. Not sure on the MINI though because we got our racks 2 years ago and at that time the MINI wasn't listed for THULEs or Yakima racks... Now the MINI is pictured in the THULE catalog though... They use the door jam mounting technique, but they add to that the extender. Basically there are 2 clips in the door on each side, and 3 feet per side. This lets you put the back cross bar further back, but it's attached with a front to back cross bar. Here's a picture of the THULE on a MINI:

Notice the front 2 clips are in the door and the back foot just sits on the roof.

Yes the factory racks wistle, but you get used to it. They hold more weight and were less expensive to buy (We paid $200 installed at the dealer 2 years ago). The downside is that it's a PITA to find rack accessories for them. We use it for surfboards and stuff to big to go in the car, so it works fine for that, but if you want a bike attachment you're stuck getting the MINI version and then it will only work on you MINI rack in the future... We also have THULE racks on my WRX so we buy attachemnts for that and leave the MINI rack with pads and straps. A ski box will fit on the factory rack though.

Good Luck,
Ben

[thereisnospoon]

I too am evaluating roof rack options. What did you end up with putting on your roof?

I've got an '03 and Yakima recommends the q78 clips which attach to the rubber rain gutters. They notate though, that you should not keep your racks mounted as they will cause an unconformity (will change the shape) permanently of the rain gutters (????)

I like the thule option from a secure mounting standpoint but imho they are kinda ugly with the extension.

Anybody else out there done aftermarket racks? (i'm sure not paying $500 for the racks and labor for oem!

David W

[moonshine]

i've the factory rack and it is really good - totally secure and quiet - it only whistles if you put the optional rubber strips in the top - I don't and it is fine.

With regard to bike racks - ive modified my thule 511 velowise rack to fit by ising some large washers, which bridge the T track space and make it rock solit, so any T-track stule bike rack should fit, as long as you use a couple of large washers.

Hope that helps

Gerry