OK, this isn't really a mod so I didn't think it belonged over in one of those forums. And it's certainly not Beneath the Bonnet so....

Does anybody have the roof racks? I'm talking about the base rails that you can then attach a bike rack to. How do they attach to the car? From the bad pic's I've seen it looks like they rest on the roof. I don't care what kind of "padding" they may use; makes me nervous that I'd end up with 4 rub marks on my roof eventually.

Anybody have any experience with these?

 

Jerseygirl

Check out the Sport-Link system at the link below. I don't know the price but MINI dealers do have it. They also have a Cup-Link system that can be ordered on the 2004 MINI. Look under Gear.

Charles

minifini.com

 

Hey thanks. I've seen that site (along with the Cup Link). I'm definitely thinking about that tow hitch system and the cup holder. I'm not too sure about hanging bikes off the back end of my car, though. Too easy for them to get damaged.

I'm looking for any info/opinions anyone has on the roof rack system.

 

Does anyone currently use one of those types of bike racks that hangs off the backm secured by straps to the trunk?? I've used one on a Camry a long while back, and it was fine. But how would that work with the MINI?? any one here have experience with this? im guessing it would work fine, and I dont like the idea of a roof rack or anyhting permanent like that for the few times that I haul my biking gear. Thanks.

Patrick

 

check out some of the roof rack threads in the interior and exterior mods section.
lots of info and pics of different brand racks - yakima, thule, mini, saris, etc.

i've got the oem mini racks on my mc for surfboards, mostly 9+ ft. i think weight limit is 175 lbs. haven't taken off the racks to see if there's any rubbing yet. but the rack is solidly on, ie. screwed straight into the roof. didn't like screwing directly into the roof, but at that time i felt it was the best option for me to make sure my boards don't fly off on the highway.

i still think it is the most solidly set racks out there even now because it is screwed in directly. all the other brands somehow clamp on either the plastic molding or inside the rubber window runner and the roof. some warn that they can warp the plastic molding. i don't think any of them are meant to be left permanently on. but they are supposed to be easy to remove and install in a flash. left on for long periods of time, some or many of them eventually scratch the paint.

as of now for my incoming mcs, i'm deciding between saris (removable) and oem mini racks (screwed). i'm leaning toward saris.

any other recent pics of roof racks from other mini owners would be greatly appreciated along with useful info and experiences.

 

:smile: :smile: It takes just minutes to remove or re-install......no biggy....

Here are a few pictures for you....
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

I wish BMW would make an integrated roof rack system in the MINI like the do the other BMW's. If anyone else on here has a 3 or 5 series, there are 4 small "doors" on the roof that fold open to reveal screw holes that will take a bike rack. A very nifty invention, if they would just consider it on the MINI.

Cabbage

 

>> :smile: :smile: It takes just minutes to remove or re-install......no biggy....

Thanks for the pictures! I'm not so sure about drilling holes into a perfectly good roof though. I agree with Cabbagetoe. It would be nice if they had the system that they install on the BMW's.

Maybe that hitch-mounted bike rack idea doesn't sound so bad after all.

 

Take a look at the Mont Blanc roof rack at Moss Mini .
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...mp;SortOrder=1

 

>>>> :smile: :smile: It takes just minutes to remove or re-install......no biggy....
>>
>>Thanks for the pictures! I'm not so sure about drilling holes into a perfectly good roof though. I agree with Cabbagetoe. It would be nice if they had the system that they install on the BMW's.
>>
>>Maybe that hitch-mounted bike rack idea doesn't sound so bad after all.

My little bro and wife just got the Mini racks on their MCS for their mountain bikes and Kayaks. However, they do have a complaint with the noise. I think the rack whistles a bit. The rack the used previously on their Volvo wagon also whistled, however they moonroof had a cloth cover you could close and drown it out, not so with the sunroof on the Mini. They think they might adapt an aftermarket rack to fit the holes that are now drilled in their roof, or switch to the sport-bar when it becomes available.

Kev

 

>> They think they might adapt an aftermarket rack to fit the holes that are now drilled in their roof, or switch to the sport-bar when it becomes available.
>>

I don't think there's any getting away from whistling when you're dealing with a roof rack, especially once you load it up with bikes or a kayak. I think they'd be wasting their time and money adapting any aftermarket racks to fit the now existing holes in the roof. They're all likely to whistle.

The whistling I can deal with, but like I said I'm not thrilled about drilling holes in my roof. That hitch-mount system is probably the way I'd lean toward.

 

>>I don't think there's any getting away from whistling when you're dealing with a roof rack, especially once you load it up with bikes or a kayak.

They've had a number of racks on a number of cars and they were troubled by how loud this was, comparitively. And we're talking when EMPTY, not loaded (they've only had it 2 weeks or so now).

He'll likely tinker or adapt cause he's an engineer (and had to get rid of 2 project BMW 2002's to buy the MCS so he probably want to tinker anyway), but yeah he knows there will be some whistling. I think he mentioned something about possibly adding an airfoil (that being another idea).

But yeah, at the end of the day, the Sport-Bar might really be the answer.

K

 

here is the yakima rack on my MINI (Q78 clips). I drove out to California (1100 miles) at about 85-90 mph and didn't have any deformation of the plastic gutters or any slippage of the rack. BTW, I'm using the THULE Velovice bike trays - they fit both Yak and Thule.

 

I have the dealer installed roof rack for bikes unfortunately the holder doesn't work with my bikes (02 softride, Gary Fisher Joshua both have Y-type frames not typical tube) If you have Y-type frame these will not work with your bike I have to do some research into Thule, Yakima to see if they have carriers that adapt to factory racks(I know they exist just what model etc) kbseto you say you carry 9ft plus surf boards on your factory rack?? Do they have OEM rack for surfboards? I personally have not seen them. cost? How is it driving with that on your roof what speed can you go arent you worried about wind snapping board ?? the reason I ask is I got rid of my pick up for the MINI and have 91/2 ft board and was wondering about transpo any info would be greatly appreciated. As for the whistling with the rack. I had it installed and drove home the only time I heard whistling was between 20-40 MPH.

 

>>here is the yakima rack on my MINI (Q78 clips). I drove out to California (1100 miles) at about 85-90 mph and didn't have any deformation of the plastic gutters or any slippage of the rack. BTW, I'm using the THULE Velovice bike trays - they fit both Yak and Thule.
>>

Any problems with the sunrroof? Can it be open on the road with the rack & bikes?
Thanks,Tom

 

>>Any problems with the sunrroof? Can it be open on the road with the rack & bikes?
>>Thanks,Tom

Yes, plenty of clearance.

 

my local salesmanager warned about the possibility of wind noise with the oem roof racks. his suggestion - plug up the open sides of the rack to prevent wind from funneling in and out of the interior rack. this is under/inside the outside rubber piece. i have no problem since i put on some paddings over the racks to cushion my boards.

for my longboards...i just tie'em down with the board straps. kinda like the luggage straps that are wide and you pull thru the fastener to lock into place. use two straps - one for each bar. and yeah, i'm still a bit worried about hitting some mean cross wind or head wind at highway speeds and stressing by longboard. i must say if it were to come down to it, i probably wouldn't drive with my fave 9 1/2 ft. board on a 30+ mph tradewind day. or if i did, i wouldn't hit the highway or i would rack up my bust-up board. luckily, i still got my fave beach p/u for hauling my extra-long longboard and 11-12 ft. kayak. haven't fully tested the racks with those babies yet. but the kayak did hold up well with some yakimas on a '82 4-door honda civic - no problems. i don't think the oem racks are much shorter in spacing compared to my old civic, so it should be ok?

 

Well it's good to hear the kayak held up well on the honda civic becaus e I intend to mount a 16 footer on my mini with a yakima rack...there are only 18" between the cross bars and i am concerned. [img]null[/img]

 

I've got the roof rack. It's great. I've got dog, an 11 month old son and a wife that likes to pack.

It's really easy to remove and install. Just be sure to remove/install the allen nuts diagnoally. The dealer recommends two people, but I have found that it's easier if I do it myself (avoids marital tension).

Anyway, it's been worth it. But I do not leave it on. It makes enough noise to sound like you're in a jeep. But when carrying a load, it's surprizingly much quieter. We just took a 6 hour trip to the Outer Banks and I was surprized how well the car handled with so much on the roof.

 

I've always wanted a removable roof-rack for ski's! Man oh man these pictures are just fueling the need to ski, and it's only October! AHHHH! :smile:

 

I've got the same Yakima set up as DiD and definitely recommend it. Cheap, easy to pop on and off once you set it up, and no fit issues. I've done quite a bit of highway driving with my bike mounted and no problems. Plenty sturdy for a couple of bikes, skis/boards or a luggage basket/pod.

 

I have not tested with the bike yet but last weekend I took my Sirus Bone boot rack which I had used on a Civic Coupe and set it up for my S. It worked fine even with the extra rear spoiler.

The Sirus uses large rubber feet and is manufactured out of a hard shell plastic material. The only metal I had touching the car were the enamel strap hooks which fit against the glass on the hatch and on the hatch line above the rear spoiler.

It's very easy to release the straps from the rack itself and run them under the gap in the rear spoiler and then reconnect them to the rack which allows you to keep the flow of the line flush with the glass as well as giving you a secondary catch point since that hooks will not fit through the gap between the hatch and spoiler. I was also able to tie the excess strap back to the spoiler for even more leverage.

The rear bumper provides an excellent bottom foundation. The only downside is that I had difficulty closing the hatch while using the third set (the bottom straps) under the hatch lid. Since I wasn't happy anyway with the enamel hooks touching any of my Indi Blue paint I decided to run those staps to the side a foot or so down from the second set (middle straps). In all it felt very rigid. Unfortunately it was raining last weekend so I didn't bring the bike down for a full test, but I did test how the rack held under hard cornering on a quick drive that morning.



>>Does anyone currently use one of those types of bike racks that hangs off the backm secured by straps to the trunk?? I've used one on a Camry a long while back, and it was fine. But how would that work with the MINI?? any one here have experience with this? im guessing it would work fine, and I dont like the idea of a roof rack or anyhting permanent like that for the few times that I haul my biking gear. Thanks.
>>
>>Patrick