So anyone out there ever consider getting a roof rack for their mini? Im currently trying to figure out what i want to do with my 2011 MCS and for some reason....im stuck on wanting a roof rack...not because i would use it all the time, but because i think it will look awesome...

My mini is blacked out, black body, black roof and black mirrors with matching black wheels....so a black roof rack maybe? Only thing is how to go about putting one on....probably need a professional to install it i would imagine...

 

There are a number of threads on this topic. For example:

R56 roof rack
Do you always leave your roof rack on your R56?

 

I have both a Thule roof rack and the OEM roof rack for my MCS. Both are pretty easy to install and uninstall.

 

What's up my brutha!? Here's what an OEM roof rack will look like on your MCS. I've just ordered another roll of 3M carbon vinyl to wrap the cross bars...so it will soon be BLACKED out, all except the bike trays.

 

I soooo want to do this since I saw your original posting and will await pics of when the crossbars are done - I was thinking the same thing. But first I need to actually install the rack - I did the lumbar retrofit first but now I might need the rack for an xmas tree.


Back to the OP... I like the OE rack. It looks good and holds more weight than other racks which is important if you want to use a heavy roof box. The price isn't too bad, although I got mine used.

 

As a teacher, I get to enjoy 2+ weeks of winter vacation, beginning Monday. This translates to 2 weeks of MINI projects...vinyl wrapping included!

I chose the OEM racks over Thule/Yakima for its mounting design (easy on/off and doesn't touch any painted surface), and for its looks. They sit a little higher than I'd like but they need to allow clearance for the sunroof tilt. Once I vinyl wrapped the cheap-looking gray MINI inserts, I loved them twice as much!

Pics to come.

 

The OEM rack seems to be of great quality from my experience.

Also, if you're looking for black bike trays to complete the look, I like the Rocky Mounts Euro Pitchforks I have on mine, and they're available in a bunch of different colors, including black.

 

I actually bought a used 09 MCS in October. It actually had the OEM roof racks on it. I took them off, I just like the way the car looks better without them. I was going to sell them, but decided to keep them in case I ever needed them. Plus, I hear they're quite expensive. :p

 

I've got a bike rack system for sale in the "market" section of this forum.
$300 plus shipping--OBO

Here's a link to pix:
http://www.gentrysmith.org/MINI/MINI%20rack.htm

 

I would actually like to see a nice low profile bike rack for mine as it happily doesn't have the sunroof. The Mini ones are so tall to me.

 

I really want a roof rack for my mini but I watched some videos and it said there's a little slit in the weather stripping for it and I checked mine and I don't have any. Any tips?

 

The slots in the roof molding are only there for the OEM rack mounting location. I am not aware of aftermarket racks using those mounting slots. The perforated tabs in the weatherstrip are very hard to find, if you don’t know exactly where they are. The OEM instructions give you the locations and how to find them. I have the OEM rack manual, and can post pictures if you’d like.

 

That would be great there's not a lot of aftermarket instructions on it

 

Here are pictures of the two documents that were in the box with my roof rack. Once you know the general location of the rack slots, you have to go on a discovery mission to find the cutouts in the weather seals.

 

Good info I was undecided about installing mine....

 

Yep,

I have that old Full install PDF linked here with the parts.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lf-a-mini.html