MINI2

jonnywhite · Sep 10th, 2007, 08:24 PM

I'm off for 3 weeks camping round France next August and need to make the most of the space available in my Mini. The more I think about what I need to take with me the more worried I'm getting.

Does anyone know of any aftermarket roof racks available. I'm sure the one from mini needs holes drilling in the roof!! (although that might have been just a bad dream). I've also considered removing the rear seats but not sure how easy that would be and that would be a last resort.

Anyone bought a roofrack and did it damage the roof or roof lip thingy?

Mess · Sep 10th, 2007, 08:29 PM

How about a trailer?

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...i-trailer.html

TimCS · Sep 11th, 2007, 01:40 AM

There's been quite a few threads about roof racks recently!

I've got a 55 plate R53 with a Thule Roof Rack system supplied by Roof Rack, Van Racking Systems, Thule Roof Racks, Autorack UK
Straightforward to fit - no damage to car - takes all manner of attachments. I use mine to carry my mountain bike around. Job done.

No way would I drill holes in my MINI!

Tim

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Sep 11th, 2007, 05:40 AM

Check out this recent thread of mine:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...-rack-r53.html

We've really got into camping since we've had the MINI and we really need the room!

To summarise:

440 litres of extra room (to put this into perspective, the boot of the new Clubman is 260 litres!).
No wind noise at all (only tested up to 70mph so far).
Rack fits without drilling any holes and hasn't damaged anything!
Fuel consumption up by about 2mpg.

I also remove one or two of the back seats and it takes about a minute per side (with practice).

Tigger.

PS: jonnywhite, PM sent

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Sep 11th, 2007, 05:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by TimCS (original)

There's been quite a few threads about roof racks recently!

I've got a 55 plate R53 with a Thule Roof Rack system supplied by Roof Rack, Van Racking Systems, Thule Roof Racks, Autorack UK
Straightforward to fit - no damage to car - takes all manner of attachments. I use mine to carry my mountain bike around. Job done.

No way would I drill holes in my MINI!

Tim

Tim,

The reason I didn't buy a Thule rack for my own car was that I couldn't find a picture of one anywhere and I would have had to have bought it blind

I'd love to see some pictures of it if you wouldn't mind posting some....

Thanks.

Tigger.

RDMac · Sep 11th, 2007, 06:28 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I'd love to see some pictures of it if you wouldn't mind posting some....

I put a pic here:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...-new-rack.html

Rich

jonnywhite · Sep 11th, 2007, 07:00 AM

Thanks to all of you who posted a reply, I'm going to do some shopping now and try and decide which one to get (apart from the trailer lol)

Thanks

Again

Jonny

TimCS · Sep 11th, 2007, 03:44 PM

Tigger, as requested. I went for the Aero bars with my Thule Roof Rack as I reckon they looked cooler! Plus they are more lightweight and aerodynamic - although as my S has the sunroof you can hear wind noise - which blends in with the whine of the supercharger to give a real jet engine effect! Love it.

Jammy Dodger · Sep 12th, 2007, 01:15 AM

I got the holes drilled in my 02 MCS and really love my factory roof rack. Sturdier than any aftermarket rack you can get.

Chris369 · Sep 12th, 2007, 07:53 PM

I went with the Thule as recommended by TimCS in this thread - http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...ml#post3138327

I bought it from the same place and I'd recommend them too

I haven't put it on yet though.

Bilbo Baggins · Sep 13th, 2007, 01:13 AM

I had the factory rack installed on my '02 and '06 MCS. It is a great rack system. Nothing compares when it comes to how much it will hold. The aftermarket racks are usually limited to 75lbs, the factory rack is good for 165lbs.

The factory rack does not touch the paint or the plastic rain gutter. So no worries about that.

I haul two 15' kayaks, or 2 bicycles, or a cargo box and either a kayak or bicycle. I can even cartop my Laser sail boat without any problems.

Jammy Dodger · Sep 15th, 2007, 05:58 PM

I really dig the factory rack.

Sep 10th, 2007, 08:24 PM	#1
jonnywhite Surrender the Booty! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manchester Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 115 Offline	Extra Space Needed! Roof rack? I'm off for 3 weeks camping round France next August and need to make the most of the space available in my Mini. The more I think about what I need to take with me the more worried I'm getting. Does anyone know of any aftermarket roof racks available. I'm sure the one from mini needs holes drilling in the roof!! (although that might have been just a bad dream). I've also considered removing the rear seats but not sure how easy that would be and that would be a last resort. Anyone bought a roofrack and did it damage the roof or roof lip thingy?

Sep 10th, 2007, 08:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mess Go Go Gadget Mini Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 666 Offline	How about a trailer? http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...i-trailer.html Attached Thumbnails

Sep 11th, 2007, 05:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo I'm Back! My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 4,546 Offline	Check out this recent thread of mine: http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...-rack-r53.html We've really got into camping since we've had the MINI and we really need the room! To summarise: 440 litres of extra room (to put this into perspective, the boot of the new Clubman is 260 litres!). No wind noise at all (only tested up to 70mph so far). Rack fits without drilling any holes and hasn't damaged anything! Fuel consumption up by about 2mpg. I also remove one or two of the back seats and it takes about a minute per side (with practice). Tigger. PS: jonnywhite, PM sent Unintimated and I'm back!! For sunshine, fun and Cornish Pasties: New MINI Kernow Cornish Oggy Run 2009!

Sep 11th, 2007, 05:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo I'm Back! My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 4,546 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by TimCS (original) There's been quite a few threads about roof racks recently! I've got a 55 plate R53 with a Thule Roof Rack system supplied by Roof Rack, Van Racking Systems, Thule Roof Racks, Autorack UK Straightforward to fit - no damage to car - takes all manner of attachments. I use mine to carry my mountain bike around. Job done. No way would I drill holes in my MINI! Tim Tim, The reason I didn't buy a Thule rack for my own car was that I couldn't find a picture of one anywhere and I would have had to have bought it blind I'd love to see some pictures of it if you wouldn't mind posting some.... Thanks. Tigger. Unintimated and I'm back!! For sunshine, fun and Cornish Pasties: New MINI Kernow Cornish Oggy Run 2009!

Sep 11th, 2007, 06:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
RDMac MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Derby UK Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 140 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original) I'd love to see some pictures of it if you wouldn't mind posting some.... I put a pic here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...-new-rack.html Rich *MCS, DS/B, 17's, Skirts, Xenons, fogs, Privacy, White lights, Leather, Climate, Heated screen, 6 CD, Multi S/Wheel, Cruise, DSC, OBC, head bags ... think that's about it* My classic Mini site: www.minitalk.co.uk

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Sep 11th, 2007, 01:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
TimCS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surrey Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 271 Offline	There's been quite a few threads about roof racks recently! I've got a 55 plate R53 with a Thule Roof Rack system supplied by Roof Rack, Van Racking Systems, Thule Roof Racks, Autorack UK Straightforward to fit - no damage to car - takes all manner of attachments. I use mine to carry my mountain bike around. Job done. No way would I drill holes in my MINI! Tim

Sep 11th, 2007, 07:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
jonnywhite Surrender the Booty! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manchester Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 115 Offline	Thanks to all of you who posted a reply, I'm going to do some shopping now and try and decide which one to get (apart from the trailer lol) Thanks Again Jonny

Sep 11th, 2007, 03:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
TimCS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surrey Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 271 Offline	Tigger, as requested. I went for the Aero bars with my Thule Roof Rack as I reckon they looked cooler! Plus they are more lightweight and aerodynamic - although as my S has the sunroof you can hear wind noise - which blends in with the whine of the supercharger to give a real jet engine effect! Love it. Attached Thumbnails

Sep 12th, 2007, 01:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jammy Dodger gonna finish that? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: S. New Hampshire Local Time: 09:41 PM Posts: 389 Offline	I got the holes drilled in my 02 MCS and really love my factory roof rack. Sturdier than any aftermarket rack you can get. ——g

Sep 12th, 2007, 07:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chris369 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Devon Local Time: 02:41 AM Posts: 64 Offline	I went with the Thule as recommended by TimCS in this thread - http://www.mini2.com/forum/exterior/...ml#post3138327 I bought it from the same place and I'd recommend them too I haven't put it on yet though.

Sep 13th, 2007, 01:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
Bilbo Baggins MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Shire, Middle Earth Local Time: 09:41 PM Posts: 8,854 Offline	I had the factory rack installed on my '02 and '06 MCS. It is a great rack system. Nothing compares when it comes to how much it will hold. The aftermarket racks are usually limited to 75lbs, the factory rack is good for 165lbs. The factory rack does not touch the paint or the plastic rain gutter. So no worries about that. I haul two 15' kayaks, or 2 bicycles, or a cargo box and either a kayak or bicycle. I can even cartop my Laser sail boat without any problems. Attached Thumbnails Motor on, Dudes and Dudettes!!! '06 MCS SB/S '02 MCS DS/W (retired)

Sep 15th, 2007, 05:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jammy Dodger gonna finish that? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: S. New Hampshire Local Time: 09:41 PM Posts: 389 Offline	I really dig the factory rack. ——g Last edited by Jammy Dodger : Sep 17th, 2007 at 10:46 PM.

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