I had the same thing happen, and used the exact same solution.

 

I really like the looks of roof racks on VW's and things like that so I sort of want to get on for the Cooper. I haven't seen many pictures with them. Anyone with a Thule or Yakimata with a fairing, can you please post a picture so I can get an idea what it might look like?

 

I'll second that. I've got an entire Thule rack setup from my previous car and before I commit to using it I'd really like to see pics of how it mounts to the rain gutters, especially on the underside as from what I've seen on the Thule site it looks like the feet/fit kit will interfere with the windows as the instructions are kind of generic.

I'd love to get the MINI rack, but it's hard to justify the $$ for the whole kit (rack and load carries) when I can get a ~$50 solution (new fit kit) for what I've got.

 

I assume the poster has resolved this by now, but for others, I was unable to find any dimples on the outside of my rain gutter. Only by peeling back the gutter with a credit card and looking at the inside could I see any markings. To know where to look, I found a picture of the side view of a Mini with the racks installed, printed it, took it to my car, then carefully looked where it seemed the rack attached and then found the small "dimples" in all locations. Not easy if you don't know exactly where to look. Maybe other builds have markings on the outside, mine had absolutely nothing (March release 2007).

 

so I installed the roof rack (bought used from Sketch). It looks like water could get into the slots eventually. Anybody else concerned by rust in there ? Anything you could do to prevent it ?

And by the way - it was an easy install, maybe because the rack was already stretched on a different car. I can see myself taking it off in less than 10 minutes now and getting it back on in less than 20.

 

The parts of the frame that it comes in contact with will not rust as the are not steel, and there is very little water that actually gets in there anyway.

If you take it on and off a few time you will get those time down to probably 4-5 minutes for off and less than 10 to put it on. I know it take me less than 10 minutes to get them out of my cellar and fully installed on the car. Actual time for me to put them on is about 3-4 minutes.

 

Here is my set up for my Big hit. Im still messing with the mounting positions to get it how I like. Its a heavy bike do you think its secure how its mounted now??



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

I just picked up and mounted the factory crossbars. Sweet and easy! i've got a yakima bike and yakima kayak rack to go on.. but it looks like I need the mightymount adapters.. Off to the local shop I go! will post pics tommorow

 

Looking at getting into biking. I'm a serious runner with a serious case of plantar fasciitis.

Read (skimmed) through thread and have a MINI OEM Roof Rack Base/Thule Sidearm question. First I plan to get the MINI Roof Rack Base. Then I need the bike holder. I have seen several post stating the OEM Touring Bike Holder hooks to the bike frame and not a good idea. I have seen some posts about the Thule Sidearm rack being a good choice. Is this the Thule rack some are using and does it fit without modifications to the OEM MINI Roof Rack Base?

 

Just installed the OEM base mount in a little over an hour. Was very surprised at how easy and fast it went. Now I have an Inno Fork mount rack on order (won't be here until next week ). Does anyone have this mount and can comment on how well it integrates and mounts on the OEM base? Also does anyone use the front tire holder and if so how does it work and any pictures?

 

I don't have the Fork mount rack, but do have their Surf rack. You might need longer bolts? Inno products are great and is easy to put on and off.

 

Thanks, and good to hear, except for the you may have to stop and run to Home Depot part

I still would like to know about the Front Tire OEM rack. Does it mount separately than the OEM Fork Mount (so I could use it with the Inno)? How may tires does it hold? Does anyone have (or could take ) a picture of it?

 

BIG BUMMER. Hatchback won't open fully unless I install backwards. Not sure what to do. I bought the Inno rack because I read in this thread that the OEM fork mount would not allow the hatchback to open fully.

What to do?

Does anyone know of a fork rack that allows the hatchback to open fully? Does anyone use a fork mount backwards and does it look foolish?

 

On a MINI you may have this problem with any bike mount that requires you to remove the front wheel.

On my Cooper I used RockyMounts Euro Pitchfork, I cut about 2 cm off of the tray to clear my hatch. If you cut your tray make sure that you do not cut off too much.

 

You mean like this.

 

That looks like what I was talking about.

 

I have a Yakima mount, which I can mount much farther forward than the OEM rack. I have a steelhead (copperhead now?) fork mount, and I can put either my road bike or my MTB on the rack and open the hatch all the way.

Next time I put the rack on the car, I'll try to remember to take a picture.

 

Been using Yakima racks for years, based on this forum I went with the factory MINI rack and it's great. Fit and finish are nice and it went on in 30 minutes. I put my Yakima Bowdown racks on and they fit perfectly without any adapters...

 

Anyone put a 20 foot long canoe on the mini roof racks?

 

Anyone interested, I have a BRAND NEW never used Mini roof rack with Surfboard attachment. I installed it once, removed it 5 minutes later and never used it. Teh only thing it is missing is the little plastic thingys that go in the gutter of the car. Those are installed on my car, so you'll have to get new ones. I priced them at something like $5 at mini. Email me an offer.

 

I guess I could have explained better, on a Cooper with the OEM rack the bicycle wheel tray may prevent the hatch from opening all the way. Some racks may not have this problem, such as those that do not require removal of the front wheel.

And yes placing the fork mount backwards does look foolish, but I have done it many times on team support vehicles.

 

I am interested in that one too!

 

haha, I googled it! it is an R53 though.

 

hey all, i installed the OEM roof rack on my brand new 2011 MCS.

at first, being handy and all, i arrogantly decided that OEM instructions were good enough to do the job - boy, was i wrong! i could not even find the pre-cut slits.

thx to everyone participating in this and other OEM roof rack threads - the info here made my life much easier. special thx to Oldopelguy, Schatzy62 (for clubman DIY write up), Minimaximin and Going4speen (washer idea).

after reading up on what to do, i ditched the German instructions and did the job in 20 minutes by myself.

few additional things to what has been already discussed here:
i could not locate pre-cut slits under artificial light even if my life dependent on it. i looked at side view pics from this thread and was able to locate where to cut under bright sunshine (got lucky today in Boston)

i ditched the forceps and used box cutter knife to make clean cuts.

from the get go i took the brass nuts off and used washers to quickly get the tongues in the holes - thx going4speed

overall - should be 5-7 min job from now on. i am planning to get a bunch of brass nuts and use them as disposables (more or less)

i'll post pics a bit later - now onto Yakima ski rack!
Happy New Year!!

 

i have heard people sawing off the ends of racks in order to allow the hatch to fully open. I have the Yakima Forklift racks, and there's a plastic "U" that snaps in on the end of the rack to prevent the rear wheel tie down from sliding off. For those of you who have cut, do you have to drill new holes for the "U" as well, or do you just leave them off?