I have searched and still have not found an exact answer.

On my previous car, which was just stolen, I had a Thule rack with 2 Thule Echelon bike carriers and 1 Thule Flat Top 6 ski carrier.

Question 1:
I was told by the salesman that it was not possible to use a Thule or Yakima rack. Is this true? Is drilling the roof and using Mini's system the only option?

Question 2:
If I do use the Mini roof rack system is there room the carry two bike carriers and one ski carrier? It looks as though the length of the crossbars is shorter than that of a Thule or Yakima.

What system do you all suggest using?

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to NAM and Congrats on the MCS.

Many MINI owners have and use Thule and Yakima's and you can run most any size cross bar you need to in order to carry what you want.

One word if you have a black roof, be sure to protect it from the pads of the rack.

You can check my gallery for picks of my bike setup. Do a search for Thule or Yakima and you'll find many posts.

You can also add one of 3 hitch systems and use a hitch mounted rack for some of your toys too.

 

I have the Thule roof rack on my car. The salesman was jsut trying to get you to buy the OEM racks.

 

I had a rack installed (for free!) by Rackattack in Framingham MA (shameless plug!). It is a set of rails bolted to the roof and the Thule legs/feet mount directly to it, so the legs are fully adjustable along the length of the rail. When I have the legs detached it is very discreet.
Here's a couple of pictures the installer sent me - including one of a Yakima box attached to the Thule bars :p

 

Hey AutoX,
Did you install that rack yourself or did you have it done. I need a bike setup like yours, but don't want holes or damage to the car.

 

Believe it or not MINI actually has an option to do that with the factory rack for the '02 to '06 cars. One of the parts guys at my dealership found it and ordered it. I cannot remember if you use the same mounts for the crossbars or they are slightly different. I have seen it but last I talked to him he hasn't had it installed yet. The rails looked to be fairly low profile.

Strange that MINI has it listed as a part for order but never advertised it or gave any info about it. Here is the part number 51130151282 of the rails. Realoem.com lists it as costing around $150

 

I have a Thule rack with a bike carrier on it and I did it all myself. With the directions it is pretty easy. All you have to do is measure, measure again and tighten it all down.

 

xntofunkylex,
Thanks. So, how long has been on the vehicle and has it damaged the paint finish at all? I'm a tri-geek, so I want to put a roof bike rack on it...but I don't want to damage the paint...