I need a roof rack for my MINI and I can't afford to spend the extra $475 to have the factory one installed. Yakima has one for roughly the same cost as the OEM install. The only problem is that I wonder how well the feet of the Yakima rack deal with the door seal and the window that butts up against it. Does it leak? Will it damage the glass or the paint? Can it be left on for extended periods of time (by this I mean about 80% of the time)?

Hopefully someone out there has a yakima rack and can give me some answers.

 

What are you carrying?

 

I'm carrying a bike (perhaps two) and in the winter I will be carrying skis.

 

I have a yakima rack for my MCS. I do not leave it on for extended periods because it is so easy to remove. I do not want the paint to fade un-evenly. You are using the rack with the 4 "Q" towers, correct? That is what i am using. I drive with my snowboard/surfboards on at high speeds, and during snow and rain. no leak. The Q tower clamps clamp on to the rubber seal around the edge of the roof.

 

I'm on my second season with my Yak setup and no problems....except when I drove into the garage with the bike still attached - D'oh!

No problems here. The Q-clips go right over the outside of the gutter and the window misses them. Not sure of the long term effects, as I take mine off in the winter. Bet on some fading on the roof where the Q-towers are sitting and a tiny bit of scuffing where the Q-clip comes in contact with the gutter. I'm sure you can minimize the roof effects if you take it off and wipe down the roof every so often.

I have the fairing and it works just fine. With some playing around, you can also get your sunroof to open without hitting. Good luck!

 

I have both...a yak on my sport cross and the factory on the mini. they both have pluses and minuses. it's a toss up. If you were only carrying bikes I might go with a simple off the back like a Saris.

 

I have just started leaving my Yak on more and more. I was riding less because I would not put it on with the roof dirty (sad I know)
I have left it on for a few weeks at a time with no damage.

 

I recently installed my Yakima rack and it does not interfere with the doors ot the windows. I think it looks cool too.
:-)
H
MMC # 141

 

Love my Yakima. No problems or regrets.

 

Your bars are more than the recommended 18" apart.

Has Yakima changed the measurements?

 

Factory....sorry not a better picture

 

I spread the bars more apart to distribute the load more evenly. If they are closer together, the leverage and the weight of the bikes rear wheel under force would put more load on the second bar. Makes sense?
Cheers,
H

 

I think the 18" spacing is really just about the sunroof. At that distance, the sunroof will just squeak under my rear bar. I spread my bars wider like Moskito when I use the rack for my windsurfer, as that's more than 8' long.

 

I have a thule rack, and love it. It basically goes on like the yak one. I use mine for snowboards, and take it off for the summer. It left little marks, but I zaino my car every spring and fall, and the claybar took care of it very well.


pics:







(with sunroof open)

 

Just make sure you get the fairings too! Helps with the wind noise when your roof is open.

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Anyone know which model Thule "fit kit" works on the MINI? I have load bars from the previous vehicle. Just need the feet.

Rockymt98

 

I, too, need a rack for my MC. Only difference is I want to carry an 18' sea kayak. It is wood and does not weigh that much (<40#). I can't imagine how a 18' kayak will look like on a 12' car. Also will need to tie a rope from the front to under the grill (to prevent "helicoptering"). Any one else carry a sea kayak?

 

I have heard Thule doesn't make a Mini Kit like Yakima, but Thule stuff supports the factory rack.
Cheers,
H

 

I have the thule rack and its a perfect fit. The fit kit # is available on thule.com i carry mountain bikes, sunroof opens without any modifications to the rack, and very little wind noise. I also cut the load bars about 2 inches so they look like a OEM fit.

 

Dj_Konky, your MCS is one of the nicest MCS'! I like how the Thule rack looks on the car. When i decide to get a new MCS all black is what i am going with!

 

Thanks!

 

Does the fit kit # on Thule.com mount using the little plastic roof gutter? I was concerned about strength of that gutter. Doesn't seem to be an issue on your MINI?

I too would carrying bikes and ski's/snowboards.

sorry about the thread hijack

 

Ha haa - that would look funny! Guess you better make use of those tow hooks to help tie that sucker down. Take some pics with it all loaded up.

 

yes, I carry a 16 foot sea kayak on my factory rack.

For tie downs, get an extra tow hool (you have one in your tool kit) and attach these to your front and rear bumpers. There was a thread I started with a picture but it seems the picture has been lost in cyberspace. Let me see if I can find it for you. . .

 

I know this is a Yakima rack thread, but here's my 16 foot sea kayak on the factory rack. Works great! I don't think I would put something so large on anything but the factory rack since the factory rack is bolted to the frame of the car. . . .