I broke down and just spray painted the center pieces black for now since I was installing the rack today. It looks good from far away, "so-so" up close. Will probably vinyl wrap the feet and rails at a later date so it looks sharp like yours. I find the silver rails distracting on my Eclipse Grey car.

Anyways OE rack is finally installed for the first time - might need it for an xmas tree and IKEA trip. Bit of a pain but I don't see it being too much of an issue installing next time.

 

After years of spray painting car parts, I couldn't be happier with the look and feel of 3M's vinyl. I know carbon isn't the look you're going for, but I wonder how close 3M's anthracite 1080 Scotchprint carbon vinyl is to MINI's Eclipse Gray. Upon request, 3M will send you a free sample pack of all their Scotchprint vinyl colors/finishes (brushed metals, carbon, matte). It might help you decide what would look best.

By the way, if you ever order vinyl for your inserts but don't feel comfortable doing them, ship it all to me and I'd be happy to do it for you.

 

is that where you got your blackout from?

 

I will definitely try getting the samples and see how they look. Thanks for the tip. I am definitely not painting any other part.

I don't think anybody noticed my paint job last night. Lots of looks for other reasons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/walk0080/6534863797/http://www.flickr.com/photos/walk0080/6534863797/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/walk0080/, on Flickr

 

Yep...good selection, best prices and ship quickly.

Btw, I have major red roof/mirror envy! I have to say...the OEM roof racks look killer! I knew I needed a solution for my mountain bike and the OEM racks seemed like the easiest option, but I never knew I would like them this much.
I have an 8' Yakima Rocket Box that we use on our mini van. I'd like to see what kind of looks I'd get if I mounted it to my MINI.

 

IMAG0656.jpg?t=1324490052

 

i want that!! lol ive been stalking the marketplace for cheap roof racks.. i never get there in time, but awesome job that looks amazing and did you also add some new stripes?

 

AdrenaliNate... That looks phenomenal. Really nice setup.

I'm still trying to piece together a rack setup with a basket. More old school rally style. Nobody makes a basket small as I want though. Heavily considering making my own custom basket. Haven't fired up my welder in a while....

 

I'm really happy how they turned out. I like how you can notice the "carbon" look up close but a few feet away it's a nice muted black.

Yep, swung by my local vinyl shop here in Los Angeles (Sticker City) and asked if they had any scrap pieces. They handed me a handful of 3M and Oracal sheets for only a few bucks. I used a 1'x5' roll of red Oracal (matches red 'S" perfectly) and cut 3/16" strips. A good exacto blade, painters tape, t-square, tailor's tape, soapy water, and a blow dryer...and voila! New stripes!

Good luck finding a set of roof racks...I guarantee you'll like them. They're also very easy to put on/take off.

Feel free to call me Nate...my user name is pretty long . Yakima makes some pretty cool Warrior baskets but nothing beats "home-brewed".

 

[QUOTE=AdrenaliNate;3420492]I'm really happy how they turned out. I like how you can notice the "carbon" look up close but a few feet away it's a nice muted black.

Yep, swung by my local vinyl shop here in Los Angeles (Sticker City) and asked if they had any scrap pieces. They handed me a handful of 3M and Oracal sheets for only a few bucks. I used a 1'x5' roll of red Oracal (matches red 'S" perfectly) and cut 3/16" strips. A good exacto blade, painters tape, t-square, tailor's tape, soapy water, and a blow dryer...and voila! New stripes!

Good luck finding a set of roof racks...I guarantee you'll like them. They're also very easy to put on/take off.



QUOTE]
yeah i cant wait to get a good roof rack and those new stripes look amazing you did an awesome job. im liking the red in black look. our cars could be brothers

 

Thanks! I have to admit I used your stripes as my inspiration. I was originally planning on laying down a second set but I'm pretty happy with the single for now. Still trying to decide if I want to lay some across my sunroof and rear spoiler for a more complete look. The stripes continue down the rear.

 

i like the look right now it playes games with your mind it makes it look like you have a black stripe on the inside of it.. unique

 

I know this is getting off the topic of roof racks, but...

After owning a silver truck, I was ready to go all BLACK...but a little red can't hurt.
Red/black has to be my favorite color combo, which I why I have JCW red roof envy. I was pretty close to buying a Chili Red, but since I'm a detailing nut I was ready for the challenge of black...not to mention black is just bad a$$!

 

JCW red roof is too much red for me. i would like to hide in the dark when needed. and black is always so badass

 

Screwed this up....

 

can someone tell me - does Thule's 591 bike carrier square slot bolts fit the R56 mini rails ?

TIA

 

Here's mine when the previous owner had the OE rack on it.

 

Nate .... Can you tell me if the 591s fit with the Thule square bolts and how did you mount the lhs carrier making the front section flush with the cross rail ????

 

Does anyone have a cargo luggage basket on their Mini? I was thinking about picking up with the OE aero basket or a thule basket.

OE Aluminum Luggage Rack shown on a 1 series hatch

 

3-4 times a week I take the kids to the track. I hated putting on the trunk mount (against the window and tailgate). This thing went on easy, and the bikes go on and off very slick. I did put the two outside mounts on backward, as they tuck down much better when not in use. Won't let me upload...pics in gallery.

 

sorry to bump this thread. i just got a new pepper white jcw with black roof and im really hesistant on wanting to cut the rain gutter on my new car. I only put the rack on when riding on the weekend and then during the week leave it off. Does anyone have more details pics of what it looks like w/ o the roof rack once cut? i saw on pg 3 there was a small pic but was wondering if anyone had more or better pics

thanks

 

thats why i have not bought an OEM roof rack and done it yet..... I also heard they are a bugger to put on and take off????, i even thought about buying a car rack for the bike.... I have an XXL 29er....lol

 

i read the entire thread and some people say its not too hard after you've installed it once, but some say its jut a plain PITA.

on my gti i could take my roof rack on/off within 3-5mins

 

It took me about 45 minutes to first install the OEM rack. That is mainly taking the time to cut the plastic rain gutter. Once that was done at all four locations it tool me maybe 10 minutes to actually install the rack.

Now, once that has been done, it takes me about 5 minutes to take the rack off and maybe 10 minutes to reinstall it.

Really, it is very easy to install and remove once you've done it a few times. As far as what it looks like without the rack installed after the gutters have been cut, you really can't tell it at all from 3 feet away. Up close, the plugs that come with the kit push into the slots very tightly and are almost invisible. You wouldn't know it unless you were told they were there.

 

Now that I have the base rack, where should I look for options on containers and carriers for it??