Just picked up me new countryman, LOVE IT!! If I purchase the factory mini crossbars, can i attach thule accessories to it? I was interested in the Thule Basket?? Any info would help a lot. thanks...

 

anyone else think that the OEM bars are kinda thick?

I had to buy bigger bolts to attach the Thule kayak carrier bits that I have, the stock bolts were about 1/4" too short.

 

I already have a Thule box, ski racks and square load bars, and I am very happy with them. Can anyone work out what it will cost to attatch them to my CM?

The Thule website only discusses the whole kit, including the bars. Hubby suggested putting the skis in the car with me (????), I don't think so.

 

Anyone try the Yak Kayak cradles on the OEM system? I really don't want to buy new cradles...

 

I got the factory base kit for my '12 ALL4 and the bars are oval

 

I ended up getting the podium mounts 460 and the fit kit 4020 for about $300 CAD> I already had short square Thule bars, it looks pretty good. Now does anyone know where our snow is?

 

I already have Yak locking towers with round bars for my canoe. Glad to see that they finally have a RailGrab tower that I can use with the existing bars and locks!!! Now just wait to see an 18' canoe on a MINI CM!!!!

 

Cool, good to know! I have two Yakima Forklifts as well and was planning on getting the Mini OEM bars. It's nice that those Forklifts are so universal.

 

Here are some pics of my rear bike rack, works really well... fits into the tow hook mounts in the back...

Not sure if it's totally relevant to the thread or not, but thought I'd share an option for bikes

 

Did you use attachments from the MINI catalog or did you source your own? The base system from shopminiusa.com appears to be $100+ cheaper than the few other places I've checked, which completely defies my understanding of OEM stuff costing more than the aftermarket equivalent, especially for an item like this that is the same as the one you can buy at REI. I don't want the ski holder from the parts dept catalog, but I'm all for saving a few bucks buying the base system that should be exactly the same. Does the factory base kit come with locks for the podiums/feet?

Sorry for reviving this old discussion. Ski season will be here before we know it, and I'm trying to get my new car all ready to go!

 

Thanks to this thread and OregonMountainMan (you may have the most prolific photo of a Countryman with a roof top box on the www) we just bought a Skybox 16 for our Countryman to accommodate the stuff a family of four needs while traveling.

 

Just managed to get this on today. It's a Packasport System 60 on OEM Mini racks. I had to move the front bars up till it's 7" from the front and back bars 29" apart. The U-bolt clamps work but if you have those small aero dynamic "spoilers' under the front bar it gets in the way and make it hard to screw the u-bolt clamps down. Suggest getting a longer 1/4" 4"x3" u-bolt from a hardware store to replace the clamps.

Just a slight hissing noise from the wind turbulence when you open the sunroof. As you can see I had to remove my antenna (doesn't affect the radio anyway) and the back gate opens fully with about an inch to spare.

Taking this to Whistler soon and will report on the performance.