Mini Fini Bike Rack

[cyclensf]

Anyone out there have one of the Mini Fini Bike racks on a regular Mini Cooper (Not S)? I was checking it out, and I am an avid cyclist and have been looking for a good option to help transport my bike on my Mini that is coming in December...yes, I know I am waiting for forever to get this one. But, I was wondering if anyone out there has one of the MINI FINI bike racks, and if they like it, and how it looks on the regular Mini Cooper. On the S the attachment sites go thru the grille areas on the rear bumper, but on the regular Cooper, it appears that it may have to go thru the bumper itself. Anyone have more info??? Thanks

[VAmini]

I've been waiting for the MINIfini bike rack myself for the regular Cooper, but as far as I know it hasn't actually hit the dealers yet. I think you're correct about having to cut some hole in the bumper to fit it, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice.


A friend recently got the following info from the company:

Quote:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Mini-Fini products. Since we
are introducing brand new accessories that are being developed with
and for BMW/Mini of North America there is some pre-introduction
confusion amongst the dealers due to lack of information. The dealers
will soon be better informed. In conjunction with the rolling out of
each new product, the MINI dealers will receive from BMW/MINI a parts
bulletin detailing both product specifics and retail pricing.

Our first product, the Cup-Link, should be available at your MINI
dealer by early August. This will be followed by the armrest in
September and the Sport-Link and bike rack this fall. BMW/MINI will
be setting retail prices on these as they are all their exclusive
products.

Hope this helps!

[cyclensf]

Thanks for the info. When I was on the Mini Fini website, it said that these products would be available
in the summer of 2003. Well, I look forward to hearing more when it actually does hit the MINI Dealers.
I too, think that cutting some holes in the bumper would be worth it for the ability to carry my bike when
I need to. And I like this option much better than any of the roof racks that I have see to date.

[Wentworth]

This is what I've heard
=============================================

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the Sport-Link™ and Bike Rack. We anticipate them being available in limited quantities in early-mid November. We regularly send out updates as to the availability of our products and if you’d like to receive these updates please fill out the information form on our website at www.minifini.com and you will automatically be added to our e-mail contact list.

I do have one photo taken at a recent MINI rally that shows the Sport-Link™ and Bike Rack on the back of a 2003 Cooper S. I am attaching it to this e-mail for you to see. Hopefully we’ll have some better pictures on our website soon.

When you receive notification that the Sport-Link™ and Bike Rack are available, contact your dealership and ask them if they have them in stock. The part number for the Sport-Link™ is 82 11 0 154 539 and for the Bike Rack, 82 11 0 154 540. If you have any problems or questions please contact me.

Thank you again for your interest in Mini-Fini accessories. Happy MINI motoring!

Deborah Williams
Sales Coordinator, Mini-Fini, Ltd.

[cristo]

Here's my post from this thread

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/40417-mini-fini.html

I emailed them about the bike rack ---- Original Message ---
Subject: FW: Bike Rack?
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 08:05:01 EDT
Well, it's well past Summer of 2003, and I haven't found the sportlink and bike rack
available at nearby Mini dealers yet.
When and where and for how much (parts and installation) will it be available?
Thanks
Chris

and got this response

Hi Chris,
Thank you for your inquiry into the Mini-Fini Sport-Link™ and Bike Rack. Your right, the summer of 2003 has come and gone and still no Sport-Link™ and Bike Rack. Believe me we’re just as anxious as you are to see it in the MINI dealerships. Since the Cup-Link™, Armrest, Sport-Link™ and Bike Rack are all OEM BMW/MINI North America accessories there is a lot of testing that they have to go through in Germany and that is all taking a bit longer than we anticipated. The good news, though, is that it looks like they’re almost done and we’re hoping to have the Bike Rack and the Sport-Link™ at the dealers the end of this month or the beginning of November. I’m very sorry about the delay but hang in there it shouldn’t be too much longer.
If you haven’t already done so, please fill out our information form on our website at www.minifini.com <http://www.minifini.com> and we will send you regular e-mail updates on our products and their availability.
Thank you again for your interest in Mini-Fini products. Happy MINI motoring!
Deborah Williams
Sales Coordinator, Mini-Fini, Ltd.
debbiew@minifini.com <mailto:debbiew@minifini.com>

I'll believe it when I see it actually become available

[cristo]

Just got a email from minifini with the following attachment:

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT YOUR MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP:

The Cup-Link™ System - Part #82 12 0 304 026

The Cup-Link™ System is made of molded engineering thermoplastic. It clamps securely to either or both columns at the center of the MINI console. It can be adjusted securely with a screwdriver in just seconds.

The Sport-Link™ - Part #82 11 0 154 539
The Sport-Link™ fits both the Cooper and the Cooper S. All that is visible from the rear are two small stainless steel ports. Once attached to the car, a wide variety of Mini-Fini products can be attached. Currently available is the Bike Rack in limited supply.

The Arm Rest - Part #82 12 0 304 181

A comfortable, fully padded leather-like urethane arm rest. It provides extremely strong support because of its steel base. It can be lifted and lowered. Black only.

The Bike Rack - Part #82 11 0 154 540

A heavy duty powder coated black steel bike rack that weighs approximately 18 pounds. The rack is a sturdy shaft that curves back and tilts down to access rear door. Holds one or two bicycles.

At the moment, the Bike Rack, Sport-Link™ and Arm Rest are in limited supply. All products are available ONLY at your U.S. MINI Cooper dealership. If your dealer has not yet secured his inventory of these products, give him the part number of the product you select to special order it for you.

[nulltty]

Any update to the price for the sports link and bike rack?

[KellyC]

fyi - From the Mini Fini website:

[cristo]

Quote: Originally Posted by nulltty

Any update to the price for the sports link and bike rack?

Talked to Mini of Towson when I went in for my 1st oil service, etc.
They quoted $310 for the rack and $250 for the link, but said
they're still not available, although I see they have made their
way into the MINI accessory brochure.
They weren't sure about installation, since they haven't done
any yet, but said to figure 2 1/2 to 3 hours at $95/hr.
Total with tax would be about $840 to $880, unless they do
it quicker than stated above. (I'm guessing they tax service in MD,
they do in PA.)

I guess I'll stick with the Bird Automotive Peashooter bike rack
on my wife's VW Cabrio as our bike rack car for now, since I
can't obtain nor afford the MiniFini one at this moment.

[pbui2]

Quick update:

My MINI from Classic Mini of Ohio is coming in soon and I asked my MA about the FINI bike rack and she says they are not available yet.

[nulltty]

For anyone curious, pics of the Sports Link part, installed, and what was removed from the MINI to get the Sports Link installed.

[z3bum]

Greetings.
I just picked up the Sportlink and Bike Kit. Both are available from dealers now within less than a week. Unpacked the Sportlink itself... no instructions included (Thanks alot MINI!) Talked to a fellow at MINI Fini, and the instructions are on MINI's Dealer Parts website, I can't get to them...

Anyway, the project is on hold for my MINI Cooper for several reasons.
- Gotta drill two 2 1/8 inch holes in my rear bumper for the Sportlink sockets to protrude through.
- In order to bolt on the Sportlink, the exhaust has to come off, and the spare tire removed. I can't tell if the spare tire can be put back afterwards.

So, do I get some shop friends of mine with a garage to help me install this or pay a dealer more money than the parts cost me to install it? Anyone in the DC area know a dealer that has installed one? Sterling has sold two, one to me and to another guy, but has not installed any yet.

Ideas, thoughts, comments?

BTW, the Sportlink and the Bike Kit are VERY sturdy and well made. True BMW quality parts. I got both pieces for around $470, discounted a bit, but if it takes four hours to install that's another $400 or so.
Mike

[shanemcr]

My MA quoted "about $700" for the sport-link plus bike rack, plus "about" 3 hours labor. "We haven't installed one yet so we don't know how long it will take."

Feckin' feckers. Isn't there a standard install time for BMW accessories?

[shanemcr]

BTW, OutMotoring has these now: http://outmotoring.com/mini_fini_spo...bike_rack.html

Around $550 for both, which I'm pretty sure will be the same as dealer pricing. I'm sure my MA was just pulling numbers out of her, er, head.