Hello! New to the forums, but I have been following them for awhile before I ordered my first Mini a few weeks ago. I have a 2014 base in White Silver with sport package on order and currently "scheduled for production." I am working with my dealer to determine my options for roof racks, but we have been unsuccessful so far. I know roof rails are an option and they're willing to order me another car with them installed, but I would rather have regular roof racks like the previous generation and no rails.

Does anyone know what the options will be for this model's racks? I plan on carrying a surf board on occasion with them.

 

I have been looking as well and have found nothing. I have put my order on hold since the roof rails are not ready for production until next month (or so my dealer tells me at least). Nothing you get will look as good as the roof rails. From what I have been told it is very similar to what the rails on the countryman look and function like.

 

Roof rails will have to be ordered from factory. They cannot be retro fitted. As per MINI USA. Supposedly like the Paceman - you either have them or you don't.

 

Is the expectation that Mini will not offer racks that do not use roof rails? Is there anything different that would prevent racks like the current hardtop from working?

I'm mainly concerned about how the rails look when the racks are not mounted. I don't plan on using them everyday, so I would be staring at just the rails most days. I've seen one grainy photo on the Mini USA site of a MCS with roof rails and a rack installed, but it's not the best gauge.

I appreciate all the input!

 

This is correct....there currently is no roof rail option, this has been postponed by the factory and will be the same idea as Paceman.

As for alternate ways of applying roof accessories, I don't think there is any way to do it on the F56

 

To answer one of your questions.....I do not think the current roof rack will work since the dimensions of the new mini have changed. If you absolutely have to have a roof rack, you have to wait at least a month to place your order like me.

 

Having had a countryman for 2 years now, the roof rails are awesome in my opinion. The rack style that installs in the roof line by the rain gutter is way too much hassle to remove, but with the rails it's a 5 minute job to put them on/off. My roof is black so I don't really notice the rails when the rack isn't on.

 

My last two R56's have had OEM roof racks. It's a bit on the "busy" side on its first install but overall a very well integrated piece of kit, unlike the R53's that required drilling holes in the roof.
I haven't looked over the build sheet for the F56 yet in detail, but if they're offering roof rails, then it's pretty obvious that THAT IS their roofrack solution and are not going to offer anything else. I'm sure over time that Thule and Yakima will come up with fit kits, but if you want OEM integration sounds like you should wait for the roof rails.