Clubman Roof Rail Installation
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Clubman Roof Rails Installed
We installed the roof rails yesterday. Once you take the headliner out you can see where the holes go. We drilled pilot holes from inside the car to the roof. Then we drill the big holes from the outside. We use a 7/8 inch and enlarged the holes with a dremel tool. I think 13/16 would have been been the right size. That way if the holes were off a little we could mover the hole in the right direction.
We did a dry fit with the rails. Then we put a little black silicone around the gaskets and put the rails on. We tighten the nuts and put the headliner back.
The mirror has a plastic cover that splits off in two pieces. Then push up on the mirror and twist, clockwise I think. Mine has a wire that had to to unplugged and plugged back.
Lawman has the photos and will post. This is the quick and dirty post. Woody
We did a dry fit with the rails. Then we put a little black silicone around the gaskets and put the rails on. We tighten the nuts and put the headliner back.
The mirror has a plastic cover that splits off in two pieces. Then push up on the mirror and twist, clockwise I think. Mine has a wire that had to to unplugged and plugged back.
Lawman has the photos and will post. This is the quick and dirty post. Woody
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On a scale from 1-10 it was a 6...but the pucker factor was a 9.
I told Woody that it didn't bother me, but then again I wasn't drilling 10 13/16" holes in the roof of my MINI either.
Seriously, it went really well, the biggest pain was reinstalling the headliner. I'll post photos tomorrow!
I told Woody that it didn't bother me, but then again I wasn't drilling 10 13/16" holes in the roof of my MINI either.
Seriously, it went really well, the biggest pain was reinstalling the headliner. I'll post photos tomorrow!
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Great to know it can be done after the fact, but it's not exactly a DIY for the average Clubby owner, is it?
BTW, a step drill might have been easier to use to enlarge the holes, rather than a dremel tool, just FYI.
So, what did the rails themselves cost?
I'm betting this is one of those cases where it's definitely better to order them from the factory...
BTW, a step drill might have been easier to use to enlarge the holes, rather than a dremel tool, just FYI.
So, what did the rails themselves cost?
I'm betting this is one of those cases where it's definitely better to order them from the factory...
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The rails were priced at like $180 each. I was able to get a 20% discount after talking to the parts department manager. Sorry, I don't have the part numbers. But your parts department guy can find them on the computer. There's a left and right rail and ten flanged nuts.
The biggest hint on the headliner is that the rear view mirror twist off. (Ours is the self dimming mirror, not sure the other style mirror comes off.)
It easier with two people. We took headliner out through the open passenger doors.
Hope this helps. Woody
The biggest hint on the headliner is that the rear view mirror twist off. (Ours is the self dimming mirror, not sure the other style mirror comes off.)
It easier with two people. We took headliner out through the open passenger doors.
Hope this helps. Woody
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Hey,
I am in the market for a clubman and really want the rails. I have read a few threads that discuss needing to mess with the side airbags in order to do this job. Is that true? I also wonder what it would cost to get the anthracite headliner and parts do make a switch while doing this job.
I am in the market for a clubman and really want the rails. I have read a few threads that discuss needing to mess with the side airbags in order to do this job. Is that true? I also wonder what it would cost to get the anthracite headliner and parts do make a switch while doing this job.
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#21
Hey,
I am in the market for a clubman and really want the rails. I have read a few threads that discuss needing to mess with the side airbags in order to do this job. Is that true? I also wonder what it would cost to get the anthracite headliner and parts do make a switch while doing this job.
I am in the market for a clubman and really want the rails. I have read a few threads that discuss needing to mess with the side airbags in order to do this job. Is that true? I also wonder what it would cost to get the anthracite headliner and parts do make a switch while doing this job.
Cheers
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Thanks Lawmann. I was wondering if you used any special tools for this considering the possibly tight space. Were you able to use a punch to mark the spot on the inside where you drilled the first hole to prevent the bit from slipping? i wish there were a lot more threads on this subject. And on people removing their headliners! I would also hope to add wiring for the auto dimming mirror. UGH! sucks to buy used!
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dealer parts department
Went to the dealer today to inquire about the rails. They told me that they could not sell them to me because the roof on a clubman built with them is different from the roof without them. He mentioned support bars. Frankly, i dont believe him. What do you think about this?
#24
Hey, would anyone by chance have the instructions for installing the OEM rails? I live in Germany and the BMW/Mini dealer here is telling the shop I went to that these can't be installed after the fact. Something to the effect that the roof won't support them and due to the sunroof. I don't think this is really the case.
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I (and when I say I, I mean Lawmann) was able to install the factory roof rails on our 2008 Clubman with a sunroof. Once the headliner was removed we saw notches in the frame that lined up with the bolts on the roof rails. There were notches in the sunroof frame that lined up too.
It's ten 13/16 inch holes in the roof and ten 1/4 inch holes inside the car above the head liner.
We've put a cargo basket filled with pine straw on our roof with no problems. We've put a 13 cubic foot cargo bag filled with luggage in the basket too.
There is a thread with a few photos of the install. Good luck with your install.
It's ten 13/16 inch holes in the roof and ten 1/4 inch holes inside the car above the head liner.
We've put a cargo basket filled with pine straw on our roof with no problems. We've put a 13 cubic foot cargo bag filled with luggage in the basket too.
There is a thread with a few photos of the install. Good luck with your install.