I am currently looking for a roof rack for my 2003 MCS which has the large 2-panel sunroof. I have found a site that seems to have good prices ( http://www.prolineracks.com/ ) and am now narrowing down between two brands of racks. One is Thule the other is Proline's "store brand" which is Mont Blanc. The biggest difference I can see is that the Mont Blanc rack comes with the short roof adapter where the Thule does not ($103.50 extra). Does anyone have any experience with either brand or specifically the short roof adapters. Thanks!

 

Mont Blanc is actually a Sweden company that's been around for 50 years. I'd say they have a reputable trusted name in Europe. I have their setup w/ thule fairings. The MB's support more weight (115lbs) than the Thule and Yakima's (60-80lbs) racks. I'm not sure about the Thule/Yakima's, but MB allows you to open your moonroof with enough clearance. The short roof adapters give more solid support to mounting the rack to your roof.

photos of my setup can be found on this post.

 

Thanks! Great quality pictures!

So what I'm understanding is that the short roof adapter is not required but would be suggested for heavier loads? Right now I'm only looking at throwing a couple pairs of skis up there, nothing ridiculously heavy. I noticed your rack is only attached where the door is, not behind it. Is it possible, if I didn't have the short roof adapter, to attach the rack in the front where yours is and then on the back feet instead of by the adapter feet?

Thanks again!

 

What are you hauling? Check Performance Bike at www.performancebike.com , they had a rack (crossbars AND two bike mounts) for $99!! It's built by Barrecrafters; I've had the same rack for 20+ years and they hold up. Only negatives: Shoulda got the locking option for +$20 (that's a personal preference), and the bike mounts don't automatically accommodate the "lawyer tabs", they have to be loosened and tightened when putting the bikes on (no big deal). For $99, I'm happy! Both my Performance and Barrecrafters racks have seen rather heavy loads and (ahem) "highway" speeds (and bumpy roads) without a problem.

No short roof adaptors are really needed if you've got the right mounting clips. You specify the model car when you call or internet the order in.

As an alternative, www.ORSracksdirect.com has some good prices (better even if you call or click on the section where you check for their latest prices). I got my RockyMounts from them. They carry Thule and Yakima as well.

Another alternative is a hitch-mounted rack or cargo carrier, the MDM (www.minidomore.com) hitch can accommodate racks and luggage carriers that never touch your paint. Oh - it looks REALLY funny to put a tandem bike on a Mini hitch-rack. It sticks out 1.5 feet on both ends! Wish I had a pic.

Here are a few pics of my Performance rack on my sunroof-equipped MCS (note: the wheel holders aren't included):

 

I'm not sure about the short roof adaptors for Yaks/Thule racks - Yaks are held in by grabbing the plastic raingutter I think? That's why you see the back clip behind the doorframe, rather than ON the doorframe. Thule - I don't know how they are secured onto the car.

The short roof adapters come WITH the MB package. If you notice in my pics, it's the only way it's securing the back portion of the rack down to my roof and the clips are actually holding onto the doorframe and cups into the weatherstrip of the car where the windows would roll into. It's not grabbing the plastic raingutter.

Personally, I'm not keen on the idea of any racks that have clips holding onto the plastic raingutter itself...that's another reason why I went with MB instead. Plus, MB was cheaper than Yak/Thule.

For $200, it's pretty slick looking because MB's are low profile on the roof. I only plan to haul up a couple of snowboards myself, the ski/snow carriers ($90-120, depending on size of carrier) are the only carriers I bought for the rack. Also, make sure you buy the windfairings too because it can get loud and it helps with the wind drag.

 

The rear clips on the Performance/Barrecrafters are long enough that it's not "just" the plastic gutter, they hold the body crease in that area. Also, unlike the Montblanc, they're flat and don't "poke" into the gasket. Both are quite sturdy mountings.




old rack, not tightened on the car, and with the foot about 4" too far forward on the car: