Trying to see if anyone else has experience with installing a Yakima or MINI roof rack for bikes on their R56. I keep hearing conflicting things about the mounts (Being either door mounted or screwed into the roof sides).


Can anyone clear this up for me about the mounts on the MINI? Do you have to use the ones that grab into the doors or can you bolt them into something under the rubber surrounding the roof?

Thanks! Also, if you have a model/name or link or what you are personally using I would love that.


p.s
Just wanting to make sure I have my Cervelo safely installed on my roof of my Mini :D

 

I looked into it awhile back. Was thinking of a Thule rack and you didnt have to drill into the roof. If I remember right there was some kind of Rain gutter type mount.

How can I contact Thule to help me? CONSUMERS: Thule Consumer Service is available Tuesday thru Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM EST. @ 1-800-238-2388. [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]For questions on Thule Crossover and Transport products, please contact Thule Organization Solutions @ [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS]800 447 4848[/FONT].
Maybe you can get more info from them, Goodluck

 

Thanks, I actually would prefer to have it fixed to the roof rather than in the doors (Seen too much damage from the rack moving).

 

Axion, what year MINI are you driving? On my 2010 clubbie I have the OEM roof rack (removable) that inserts into slots in the roof trim and has clips to cover it when off. I used the OEM bike rails (2, they are sold separately) and like them. I have the fork mounted ones, so have to remove front wheel on the bike, but I like the stability with which it holds the bikes.

 

I hate to be the "do the search" guy, but there's about a zillion threads on here already about roof racks, both OEM and aftermarket, their mounting, and relative pros and cons. Search "roof racks" in the R56 section.

 

b13MINI, I have a 09 R56 JCW.
MTBscott, I have done a bit of searching before making this and more after but still not finding the question about finding the proper R56 roof mounted roof rack rather than having them go down to the doors. I just want a roof rack that is screwed into lining around the roof and won't cause paint damage.



Haven't found anything yet but just trying to get one with this:

Rack is mounted in the rubber lining around the roof (with screws) of the R56 rather than be clinging onto the doors.


Thanks!

 

get the OEM rack. it mounts into the roof securely without damage and matches the lines of the car. ive seen too much damage caused to paint by non OEM racks to ever consider buying one. ive also experienced Thule or Yakima systems sliding with loads.

 

Axion, I'll try to make this very simple for you... Get the OEM base roof rack system!!! After I did the same research I bought the OEM system!

The OEM base system locks into slots in the roof rail that have been provided during the car's manufacture. It's the only rack system that doesn't touch the roof or any other body panel.

You can attach many components offered by many other brands like Yakima & Thule to the OEM base roof rack system.

Good Luck

 

I've owned door sill mounted racks in the past, however I'd go with the OEM system hands down! Custom-fit into the rain gutter (doesn't touch the roof) and it's easy to mount a variety of accessories to it (Thule Criterium bike trays in the pic).

 

+++ for the OEM, you can see how they mount here!

BTW love the wrap on the silver rails, does it go inside the rail too? How does it hold up to the sliding racks? Thanks!

 

Nice Rack!! Love it! What did you do to black out all the components? Explain please!

 

He has a thread about it somewhere but I can't seem to find it. Pretty sure he used 3M carbon vinyl to wrap everything. I know it's wrapped, just can't remember the brand. It looks great all black. If I had a black car I'd do the same thing. But my roof is silver so the silver on the bars actually matches great...

 

I found the OEM rack to be significantly cheaper than the Thule/Yakima solution, as well.

 

Here's the link to my vinyl wrapping. It's 3M black carbon Scotchprint 1080 (different than 3M Di-noc.) It's an amazingly durable material. Almost impossible to scratch or tear and has a long outdoor life span. I coat all my plastic and vinyl with 303 Aerospace protectant or Sonus Total Eclipse (spf 40) to keep them from fading. I do this about once a month.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...inyl-pics.html

You can see that I wrapped the vinyl to the inside a few inches. To mount my bike trays, I use the Thule Xadapt kit (bolts that slide into the channel). I wanted to keep the factory rubber channel strip so I drilled small holes in them for the Xadapt bolts to come up through. It came out very clean.

 

I would've been offended by this comment if I was of the female persuasion.

 

Got a factory base and yakima fork lift bike racks. The racks are too long to mount normally, so I have them turned around. I ride mtb & road, so I can't clip the racks and still have both bikes fit. Oh well.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

 

Holy Missile Launcher Batman! But you got to do what you got to do.

 

I wish the Mini ones, or really any others for that matter, came with something in a lower profile for us non-sunroof owners. The stock Mini ones almost double the height of the car...or at least that's the appearance. :D

 

I have the OEM rack with a Yakima tray for my bike.....had to cut the tray down to fit so it doesn't hit the rear spoiler when I open the hatch.
What is everyone doing about the wind noise?? I'm trying to find a fairing solution that will work with the OEM rack. No success yet.
Any recommendations??

 

I have a yakima roof rack on my 2009 MCS. Sun roof opens while i have my bike on there too. I used the factory slots under the weather molding. The brackets had to be cut and bent torwards the inside in order to work with the factory slots. The rear bolt on the yakima rail was installed from the bottom up. I will post pics of it as soon as possible. It works great and can be done.

 

You should'a bought a Clubman... No overhang problem!

 

Just purchased a Yakima Roof Rack myself for my 2008 MINI Cooper S.

Put it on today.



A couple of things....

I mounted everything according to the specs Yakima supplied. First thing, cannot open the sunroof now. Before I actually put the bike rack on, it still worked, but with the Yakima Frontloader, because of the way it mounts, sunroof is a no go.

Also with the Frontloader mounted to specs, I cannot open the hatch all the way either. The back end of the bike mounts sticks out way too far.

As of right now the bike itself mounts just fine onto the rack. It's just kinda killing any kind of convenience of the MINI.

Next weekend I am planning to make some adjustments. I am going to move the front bar up (right now it sits 6 inches back from the windshield (what Yakima lists in their guide). That should solve the issue with the hatch not opening.

After that I am hoping to move the second bar back further towards the back of the car. If I move it enough, that should solve the sunroof issue.

Has anyone else mounted the Yakima roof rack to their MINI? What have been your results? Did you have to make adjustments like this?

 

Does the Thule Criterium clear the spoiler/hatch?
I had the OEM rack and Yakima Frontloaders but they hit the spoiler and I need to use non-fork mount racks.
Thanks

 

Yes, it clears the hatch. The first time I mounted one, it was within a few mm of the spoiler, but I soon realized I could loosen the the tray and slide it forward a few more mm.

 

Hi -I purchased the Mini System. It looks and works just like the Thule. I love the way it locks on the car and the bikes lock into the unit.
It is worth the price. Gallery picture.