I've searched the boards but came up empty so far.

I am debating on getting a luggage carrier roof rack for my Mini. Is there anyone out there who has one either from Mini or 3 party and if so could you share pictures and manufacturer.

Thanks in advance...

 

Here's the OEM rack:

 

Are you looking for a photo of the roof box or some other rack?

 

I have an aftermarket cargo box for mine;

 

Looking good. That is a really nice cargo carrier.

 

Thanks for the posts. What I am really looking for in a full width cargo carrier. Looking to do some family vacations this summer and would like to take the Mini but to do so will definetly need more cargo space than the boot will allow. If anyone has pics of a full size cargo carrier please post.

Thanks

 

I don't have a picture of mine but can tell you this is one fits the MINI rack with no modification and basically covers the whole roof. It is the Yakima Space Cadet 15S. www.yakima.com has the dimensions and a picture. I took a trip from TX to OH and back this winter with it and it holds a ton of stuff. I also like that it doesn't hang over the windshield like the OEM box.

 

I got it thru "Performance Cycles" when it was on sale. Pretty reasonable, much less than the factroy cargo box.

 

Do you have the factory cross bars? If not be aware that the Yakima and Thule racks are only rated for 34kg/75 lbs max. The factory rack is rated at 75kg/165lbs max. For a full width box and serious travel I would recommend the factory rack.

Extremely solid and quiet at any speed.

 

Were the Yakima and Thule even rated that high? When I was looking I thought the Thule was around 60lbs and the Yakima about 40lbs, both of which made my decision to buy the OEM easy. 40lbs won't even hold two bikes. Not to mention make you feel very comfortable taking a street corner at 40mph.

For my trip I loaded my 15 cu ft. box up with luggage and the weight, incl. box was about 120lbs. The box itself is around 35 - 40lbs, I believe.

 

Here is a picture of the cargo box on my W8 Passat. It is full width and the size is compatible with the Mini

 

I got the Yakimas cause I didn't want to drill holes into the roof. Here's mine with fairings.

 

Here's how a Thule System looks on my MINI. Comes on and off in minutes. I did notice that total mileage on a full tank is DRASTICALLY (from 340 miles off to 200 miles on) affected by the roof rack, so the convenience of the ability to take it on and off quickly, as needed, is a huge plus.

Best of luck finding the best roof rack for your needs! :smile:

 

how do you create the thumbnails for pics?

 

testing...

 

I went with the Thule also, mainly because I like the style of it and the fact you don't drill holes in your roof...

here's a couple pics

 

found one more pic:

 

Any chance you could post the Thule part numbers for the "foot" and "fit Kit" for the Mini? I haven't really been sure which parts to order. I already have the crossbars, bike and ski carriers etc from previous vehicles.

How is the stability of the thule/mini with a load on it? Looking at the gutters on the mini they don't look like they would support much....ski's would be OK I suppose but two bikes might be a bit much?

How is the wind noise with the sunroof open? (assuming you have a sunroof)

 

Part numbers, not to sure, my buddy works here at a ski/snowboard shop and ordered it for me awhile back.

Stability = very stable, after we put it on I wasn't so sure about it, but my buddy who works at the ski shop said, "believe me, it's no going anywhere" he told me to pull on it as hard as I could, and I did, and it didn't move at all, it should hold bikes no problem. I have gone through car washes with it and drove well over 100mph with it on.

Noise is another story, yes i have a sunroof and the rack fits perfectly over it, the wind noise doesn't really come in thru the sunroof, but more in my drivers side window. It whistles like crazy, but i found out if i put my hand up and twist it a bit the whistling goes away.

Gas mileage is also a killer, as well as top speeds. I ran my car without the roof rack up to 128mph no problem, when i put the rack on, reaching 120mph was a struggle. Not that I should of been going those speeds.