i installed the mini roof rack last weekend and it was very simple, i took my time doing it and it really couldn't be simpler. all i used was a 18 volt drill a 3mm, 7mm, 10mm drill bits, a carbide oval egg shaped shaver grinding type of bit that was very handy because no matter what some of your holes will initially be a tad off (not perfectly centered above the threads) this bit allowed me to adjust where the hole would get bigger. then i used the 2 mini tools, the hole saw and the depth gauge (together $30 some dollars).

the far back holes are the ones i started off with, they will not totally match up with the templates and to be more accurate with the second rear hole measure from the first hole, and look to see if it is higher or lower then what the template says.

one thing to watch out for is keeping all the metal shavings off your roof and not rubbing your roof, those little shaving can make some little scratches.

also at the end when putting the threaded bolts in don't worry about the silicone rtv if it gets everywhere, once it drys up a bit it can be easily rubbed off with your fingers.

i think doing this yourself is really worth it compared to paying through the roof for some joe schmoe at mini doing it.

 

Gotta say I was willing to put the aero grill on myself (as well as springs, swaybar and CAI), but I personally drew the line at drilling holes in my roof. The bumper cover is a lot easier to replace/fix. Plus my dealer, Mini North Scottsdale did a stelalr joB

Just my .02 cents.

Joel

 

actually i felt that the roof rack was less painstaking then doing the aero grill!

 

You are a brave man.:smile:

 

Making holes in your roof is a little too much for me. Minimania has a rack that clips onto your roof, made by Yakima. I was thinking of getting that one to hold my snowboard, seeing as it is a bit of a tight fit inside the cabin.

 

I second that!!!! Good work.

 

What a brilliant roof rack mount design. Bravo, Mini! :impatient

 

I am impressed, I looked at getting the factory rack, then I looked at all the parts from my Thule rack what was on the A6. Well it took 2 weeks for the fit kit to get shipped to my door, and then about 25 minuts to mount the rack. That was about a month ago, and with over 700 miles with bikes on the rack, not a single issue, and no holes in the top. My vote not to go with the MINI rack even though it looks better installed then my thule. Brave and skilled man you are.

 

I'm seriously considering the factory rack but am wondering what the roof looks like while the rack is not installed. Any chance you could post pics?

Also, how long does it take to put the rack on/off after install?

 

I'd like to float this back to the top since I'd lke to see pictures of the same. I've seen one picture of the covers installed, but ti was too close to get a sense of what it'll actually look like in context.

The covers look like they stand up off the roof a good bit.

 

I have a Yakima one and I take it off all the the time and it is easy. No marks left when taken off and I think it looks great on the car especially with the fairing on. I only briefly considered the factory one.

H

 

I love the factory roof rack and basically never take it off my MINI so don't have photos to show you. There are little oval plates that fit over the mounting attachments. It is a little frankensteinish, but if you are serious about carrying any serious weight, the factory rack can carry up to 165 pounds. . .

I wouldn't carry something like this with a rack that clipped onto the flimsy plastic rain gutters, but I'd feel ok with a single bike or snowboard/skis on any good aftermarket rack . .

 

The weight limit is quite restrictive with the Thule or Yakima setups. You can only carry about 2 bikes once you consider the weight of the rack too. (I think about 70 pounds is the limit for either one). On the other hand the factory rack can carry 70 kilos. Sure make sit a lot easier to load up a luggage rack or 4 bikes or what have you!

Joel