Thanks for the update Loxycoon. Very informative and helpful especially the pictures. I'll purchase these racks whenever I get a mini as I see myself carrying similar items.

 

So I decided to dig this up from the dead.
I'm buying a rack for the winter snow season to put my snow boards on the mini. I was just wondering which lock set did you purchase with your thule set?

Thule One-Key Lock Cores - Set of 2 [T512]
Thule One-Key Lock Cores - Set of 4 [T544]
Thule One-Key Lock Cores - Set of 6 [T596]

 

Anyone have a head on shot of their rack on their car? I have an idea involving a rack a spare tire carrier and some lights but want to photoshop it first.

Also any sunroof clearance issues?

 

Woah very cool. Congrats!

 

Here is a picture of my Yakima Rack with Basketcase attached. It is not quite a front picture but close.

Like everyone else, it took me about 3 hours to set it up and get it on my car in accordance with the manufactuers specs. Once the rack was on the basket was really easy to attach. I put an extra coat of wax on the roof, when I took the rack off it did leave some rubber marks, but were easily buffed out with a microfiber cloth.

 

I think I ended up getting the 2 lock set - one for the front and one for the back. To be honest, I never ended up putting them on. I don't leave the roof rack on my MINI so didn't worry much about it being stolen. With the recent break in, I might change my mind, though...

 

Here was a picture I took back in August. Not sure if it will help (a little far away, not much detail), but...

I did not have any sunroof clearance issues until I used the load stops. The load stops are lower than the bar and gave my sunroof a nasty bang when I accidentally tried to open it, but didn't seem to do any damage.

Also, the roof rack did leave marks on my roof, but they went away after I took it through the car wash. I always made sure to put the rack on right after I washed it to make sure no "grit" got stuck between the roof and the pads.

 

cool thanks that one works fine

 

This is mine with the original rack on and off. It very simple to take off and the plastci covers hide the screws to where the rack attaches

 

When you say original rack, does it mean sold by MINI? Who does MINI contract out to make the racks?

-vision

 

i ordered it with the mini, I believe it was done at the dealer, or at the factory???? No leaks or anything in three years. It takes about 5 minutes to take off or on and you can ad anything that you want to it

 

what did you use to cover the holes when you took the racks off? Was that something that came with the car?

 

They are some plastic covers that are specifically designed to cover the holes. They fall every once in a while, but they only cost like $ 1.50 each. I keep some in the glove compartment.

 

If you look closely at the picture with out the rack, you can see two oval shapes on he roof, One is just before where the sun roof starts and the other one is almost at the end of the sunroof.

 

I have the OEM 2006 rack, my research showed that set up offered the max payload and looked the best also. Not cheap/// Superfun

 

not a MINI owner yet, but when I get one, i'll def be getting a rack. I had a vw gti with a factory rack. it came with roof protectant similar to the 3M clear bra. saved my roof from getting scratched up. the pieces were just big enough for the footpads of the rack. i highly suggest putting this stuff on your roof.

i'm glad to see that the footprints have easily come off for you guys though! gotta love MINI!

 

[quote=Luv325Ci-MiniCoopS;2500434]Here is a picture of my Yakima Rack with Basketcase attached. It is not quite a front picture but close.

Like everyone else, it took me about 3 hours to set it up and get it on my car in accordance with the manufactuers specs. Once the rack was on the basket was really easy to attach. I put an extra coat of wax on the roof, when I took the rack off it did leave some rubber marks, but were easily buffed out with a microfiber cloth.




Can you tell me the model of the Yakima roof basket? I have been looking ofr one to fit the OEM bars. I have also been looking at the Thule Sportrack Basket ($179), but I cannot get confirmation that the basket will fit the OEM bars. Thanks a bunch!

 

So, I may have answered my own post. I called the Sportrack 800 number which connects you with Thule customer service and they confirmed the basket will fit the 29 1/2 OEM rack spread. They also said the basket is the same as the Thule MOAB, for what it is worth.

 

Hi pbeths,

I'm looking in the Yakima Catalog and it lists it as the "BasketCase #07012" the red net is listed as "BasketCase Stretch Net #07011". I bought them on Amazon for $108 for the BasketCase and $27 for the net with free shipping.

Hope this answers your question

 

Thanks! Did you have to buy the "mighty mounts" to attach it to the OEM bars?

Now I am torn between this basket for $108 without a wind dam and the Sportrack which has the wind dam and is a little wider for $180...