So, I drive 30 miles to work each day in mild traffic. I average about 70mph the whole time. So, a total of 60 miles a day. I average around 31.6 mpg without the roof racks.

Today decided to put them on and see what happened since I heard it makes mpg worse. To my surprise my MPG increased ! I was averaging about 33 mpg. Basically same conditions and same speed. I have no idea how that happened but Ill take it.

Only bad thing I dont like about the racks is they are loud. Theres that loud hollow air type of sound! Its annoying gotta blast radio to drown it out.

This was a very scientific test recreating the exact variables.

 

do you have the rubber strips installed? Take them off it will sound better

 

Yes, the strips are off but still get that hollow air sound. I have never had roof racks before so maybe I'm just not used to it or something. I just thought they would make that much noise

 

good now is the one with the spoilers under the bar in the front?

 

Yup, the one with the three spoilers is in the front. its about a foot back from where the rail starts

 

yep all correct. Sorry I got nothing else except maybe add a thule deflector on the front

 

No worries man I appreciate the tips! I just didnt realize racks could make so much noise. I am just glad it didnt affect my MPG. Which really surprised me.

 

normally having the black strips in should cut down the noise. I would think with them out you've get a whistling.

I haven't done any MPG tracking but when I drive with my racks installed and the black strips in, they are hardly noticeable sound wise.

 

Everything I have read says to take them out. I dont have them anyway as mine didnt come with them.

Its not a whistle sound more as a hollow air sound kinda like when you blow over the top of a soda bottle. Just not that deep

 

ok, well try this. Throw some tape over the slots and drive and see how it sounds and you'll have your answer

 

I have a 15 CMS with the factory roof racks, and through trial and error, I have found that if you put the front rack bar at the 14" to 15" mark back from the start of the roof rail, it dramatically reduces the wind noise. I have the panoramic glass roof on my CM, and yes, with the glass open I do hear the wind noise, just not nearly as loud as when the rack bar is set at 12" back from the start of the roof rail. But when the glass is closed, I don't hear it at all.

 

Tape didnt do anything for the hollow are sound.
Thanks man i will give this a shot

 

Well it was worth a try

 

setting it 14 or 15 back didnt do anything at all for the hollow air noise. i guess the racks are just loud which is kinda lame

 

I have the Thule Aero rack on my CMS4. It is quieter without them that is for sure, but it is not like the CM is a quiet car anyway. MINI, would it kill you to discover how to quiet the road noise a bit? I would say the noise reduction was equivalent to going to the Bridgestone DriveGuards instead of the OEM Bridgestones. I did not experience any MPG increase which was measurable and I did make a vacation run from FL to ME this summer, so I should have noticed if I was getting better mileage as I check that at each fill up. Still right about 32 MPG highway like the last trip when I had the rack on and was carrying a cargo box, a Thule Ascent 1600. I typically cruise on the highway between 70 and 80, depending on max posted speed, other cars, etc...

I was not using the bars on a regular basis anyway, really only a couple of times a year. I just put them on if I need them now. They are pretty simple to put on and pull off.