I just picked up my Chili Red MCS on Sat. Love the car, but have the roof rack blues ccwhitlock@yahoo.com

 

Evidently my request hasn't solicited any interest or response whatsoever

 

I'm glad to hear that you found a solution to the noise problem.

The reason that you probably haven't seen any responses to your post is that there are probably very few people out there who have the roof rack. In fact, a sizable percentage of MCO members are still waiting for their cars!

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::Indi Blue MCS, White roof+wheels, All 3 packages:: In the States...almost home!

 

I saw one rack at the MINI meet (19 MINIs) the driver says it makes noise. He was told if you remove rubber no noise. I would say it is poorly designed if that is the case.The rack looked nice I just would not want to drill holes in my roof.

 

I agree with you about the holes. Unfortunately, I have no choice in the matter at this point. Prior to installation of the rack the dealer told me that it 'somehow' inserted into sleeves on the car and was easily removable. When removed there were covers for the holes. NOT! After I get home with the car and start complaining, my salesperson tells me that they recommend against installation/purchase of the rack because of noise problems. Although this was not once mentioned to me. I do like the way it looks, but I bought strictly so that I could haul my bikes, but the bike rails that are purchased separately don't fit my road bike or my mountain bike. The dealer has agreed to reimburse me for the bike rack/rail assembly. Now I'm stuck w/ the rack and no way to haul my bikes. I think I can buy a Yahkima bike rail and modify it to make it work. For future reference, I think that all mini dealers should tell people that are getting the sunroof that the bike rack is a BAD IDEA!

 

They have a rear bike rack for sale at MINI Mania ...

MINI Mania link to bike rack

 

>>They have a rear bike rack for sale at MINI Mania ...

Hmmm. Very tempting, although it seems to be another instance of manufacturers taking advantage of the lack of competition to inflate prices on MINI equipment. $125? I haven't shopped for a new bike rack in years, but this seems awfully steep. If this was $30-$40 cheaper, I'd order it in a second. There are a lot of bike racks made for hatchbacks; I'm sure something else will fit. I can't imagine a bike rack for a Golf not fitting a MINI.

Camwhit, sorry to hear of your roof rack woes. I hope you find SOME use for it.

 

I've got the factory rack on my MINI with a sunroof. Yes, it whistles. I'd guess that a fairing would make the whistling go away, but I haven't tried mounting one yet.

The holes in the roof don't bother me at all. The rack comes off and can be put back on really easily. With the little plastic caps over the mounting points, you can barely tell that anything has been done to the car.

 

Yakima makes a roof top bike rack for the new Mini that doesn't require any holes in the roof.

 

Thanks for the 411 on that. After asking people for their advise here on MCO wether or not to get the Sunroof, I decided to add it to my order. I was also seriously considering the factory bike rack... You've talked me out of the rack. I'd hate knowing the extra noise was coming from one the options I paid for! Again, thannks.

 

>>They have a rear bike rack for sale at MINI Mania ...
>>
>> MINI Mania link to bike rack


I looked at the picture but could not determine if that will fit on an MCS. Will the spoiler be in the way?

 

velVeT - I am thinking about having a fairing fabricated from titanium and using the mounting slots on the rack to mount it. Do you know of a pre-fab fairing that will fit?

Regarding the removal of the rack, what covers are you talking about? Is it the white plastic ovals that came with the rack? How do they mount? Do you have a picture of the car with the covers on and the rack off?

 

OK, I think I'm now officially over the roof rack blues. I found my little plastic covers in the spare parts bag, carefully took the covers off my roof rack, unscrewed the two bases on each bar. Two studs were left at each of the four rack bases, again I carefully slid the little plastic covers over the studs and viola, the plastic caps magically locked onto the studs. Not to bad, and no more whooshing air when I have the sun roof open at speed (which I hope to be often). I will probably keep the rack on for around town driving, and use the luggage rack accessory for trip where I need the space. But it will be nice to have the option of taking the rack of for longer trips where I know I will want the roof open. Ahhh, what a happy ending! Thanks for the replies and comments. I'll try to post a picture this weekend with the little caps on so everyone can see.