Hi, I just got a Mini, it's a 2007 S with the panoramic roof. I'm trying to help it to be more outdoorsy so I can put skis and, bikes and boats on it, so got a roof rack from Yakima. I tried to install it and it doesn't seem that the clips that attach under the weather stripping fit the slot in the roof ( see pics). I feel like the clips should fit nicely into the slot, but they don't and I don't want to bang it in to get it and break my brand new to me Micro Machine! I don't particularly want to grind down the Yakima clips either, but that might be an alternative if there is not a different solution.

Towers - Yakima Baseline
Fit Kit- baseclip 198 (B10-1)

Anyone have any experience with a 2007 Mini Cooper S with naked a roof I'm getting the Yakima system installed? Do I need different clips even though every online resource I can find says use the Baseclip 198?


Fitment and settings directly from Yakima for 2007 Mini Cooper hardtop


Front slot with Yakima Baseline Foot BC198.
slot measures 5.4cm and the foot measures 6.4cm

 

I don't have an experience with Yakima but I am not even sure how this is supposed to "latch" inside the slot.
The OEM bars have a foot that consists of two "wings". They slide into slot and then have to be tightened so they spread and latch.
Here are couple of pics from installation manual to illustrate what I am talking about:

 

Are the Yakima clips supposed to go around the bottom of the rain rail?

 

If that's the case I'd be really hesitant to use it. I'd have a hard time trusting anything that is supposed to stay in place under load and withstand the wind resistance while attached to plastic rail.

 

I could be wrong... Checking the pictures on Yakima's website show them clamping to the roof profile, but maybe not clipping into the factory slots:
http://fitlookup.yakima.com?fitid=24690

 

This actually sounds like a good theory. Looking at the images from the above link it seems that positions of the bar feet are much closer to front and rear of the roof.
Here is the picture of my car with factory roof bars. Unless I am dreaming there is a clear difference in bars position.

 

Yup, just measured the distance from front bar foot to roof front edge and it's 11" for me as oppose to 6" shown in install picture.



So Yakima clips are not in the factory slots. At least for that particular installation.

 

That's a great catch, thank you so much! I've install Yak racks before but clearly never on a mini. Thanks for this! The tear out spot would have been too easy for the install, guess I'll either try to grind down the pads to fit the slots or try to finagle the clips in at the 6inch mark though that seems like it's going to be a horrible pain.