Roof Rack

[jfergusonaia]

Hi, Ya'll ....does anyone have any experience with the 07+ only roof rack sold by Mini mania? See link....

minimania.com/pdfile/R56_Roof_Rack.pdf

It sounds really good, without any roof contact and no drilling, but I'm not sure I believe the bit about the mounting positions and "pre-cut" sections of the gutter that seems to just pop out.

I don't think I want the factory rack. I have many Thule components from other cars, so that sound good to me, but the Thule and Mont Blanc (accepts Thule components) racks have rubber pads that rest on the roof paint.....maybe not a good thing.

Anyway, any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, in advance.

[Martin F]

Your link seems to be to the BMW Mini roof bars. I have fitted them, see this link http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-e...ml#post3055969

[murattaner]

This looks like the factory rack. There has been discussion here about it before. You can do a search for "roof rack". In particular, check out http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-e...-rack-r56.html.

Good luck.

[murattaner]

You beat me to it, Martin. I ended up posting the same link.

How's your experience been with the racks? Do you keep them on all the time, or do you remove them?

Thanks.

Murat

[jfergusonaia]

Thanks, All. I was suspecting these were the factory bars. My MCS is an 07 US version. Is there any possibility theses are Euro only? I still can't find those perf. sections in the gutter.

Does everything remain watertight with those sections removed?....where does the water go?

[Martin F]

Quote: Originally Posted by jfergusonaia (original)

I still can't find those perf. sections in the gutter.

Does everything remain watertight with those sections removed?....where does the water go?

The perforated sections are very hard to find. For reference, the front of each strip is about 9ins and 36ins from the rear edge of the front door pillar. Once you have removed the perforated strips, they have little covers when not in use. I assume the space behind is sealed, or maybe has a drain tube, as leakage has not been a problem.

I do not keep the bars on the car to reduce wind noise/fuel waste and have not used them much.

[Garyhalliwell]

Hi there, I have just fitted a factory roof rack to my 07 clubman. The only problem I came accross was that one of the front perforations was missing. The rest of the rack went on without a hitch. the roof rack was second hand of ebay and they guy I bought it of had problems fitting it. Fitting the rack is a two person job as not to scratch the roof.

[corkmini]

What a joke this system is to try and install. I've just chipped my roof despite puttling cloths under the legs because the ineffective tool for closing down the clamps snapped out of its holding under pressure. I'm particularly cheesed off just now.

Add to that a power-drain problem in my 2006 325i that cannot be resolved and I am currently vowing never to touch another BMW product ever again. The quality is just outright rubbish

I shouldn't have to have a PhD and an understanding in stress mechanics to put on a friggin' roof rack. The Paddy Hopkirk on my R53 was a piece of cake compared to this useless contraption.

It may be solid when it's on, but

A) Try GETTING it on and
B) Try not losing part of your anatomy (eye or finger) in the process.

THis piece of crap is going straight back to the dealer tomorrow.


PS - don't even get me started on the poor quality of the bolts and screws. If you do manage to get it on, so much metal filing shears off the bolts in the process that I seriously doubt you'll ever get it off again without cutting it off.