I just picked up the fork mount bike tray for the factory rack. I haven't mounted it yet, but it appears of very high quality. Essentially it is the Thule V2 rack with MINI specific mounting hardware, including locks. It costs $125 which is no more than the thule or yakima version. I will post pics this week. I initally only ordered one because I was unsure of how it looked (no pic in accessory catalog), performed, etc.. I have already ordered a second. According to the instructions the only potential problem would be with rear spoiler clearance when the boot hatch is fully open. I am glad Mini did not skimp and the rack is as good as the aftermarket ones.

ps- I am not quite sure why some are concerned with holes being drilled- the sunroof requires two giant holes, and the rear spoiler I believe also requires holes, in addition to the mandantory third brake light. :smile:

 

You can cut down the length of the bike trays to prevent any interference with the spoiler. A final step would be to paint the "cut" end black to match the rest of the tray. That's what I did to my Thule trays when I cut them down.

The concern about holes in the roof is that when the bike rack is removed you still have visible holes in the roof.

 

Or slightly worse, visible covers to "hide" the holes.

>>The concern about holes in the roof is that when the bike rack is removed you still have visible holes in the roof.

 

its really sucks that you can't buy a regular roof rack for the mini... has anybody heard of any suction cup racks out there for the mini? that way you could have the strength of a roof mount without having all the wieght on the plastic rain guards

 

>>You can cut down the length of the bike trays to prevent any interference with the spoiler. A final step would be to paint the "cut" end black to match the rest of the tray. That's what I did to my Thule trays when I cut them down.
>>
>>The concern about holes in the roof is that when the bike rack is removed you still have visible holes in the roof.

I bought some 1/2" x 1" aluminum bar stock from North Coast Metal Mart and a 1/4-20 tap. I screwed my Thule rack into some short aluminum bar pieces. I put the tray way to the side with the front a little closer to the middle of the car and the back sticking out at an angle to miss the spoiler. This morning I was looking at my work and it occured to me that if I put the fork on the back rack bar with the bike facing backwards the spoiler wouldn't hit the bike rack even if I put the bike in the center of the rack bars.

 

Paul, can you post some pics, interesting in seeing your setup..

 

>>Paul, can you post some pics, interesting in seeing your setup..

I'm new here. How do you post pics? I can see an image button as I am editing this message, but it looks like I have to put my pics on another web site to use the image button.

 

I was about to suggest you turn the tray backwards. I mounted the Thule tray the 'correct' way around, and cut the ends off then realized they would fit with the fork mount towards the spoiler.

I used some flat bar stock which I tapped and then bolted through the metal clamps of the Thule front mount. I found there was still some movement so inserted the Thule cross-bar between the two trays to reduce the twisting. The result is I can now use the Thule wheel mounts just outboard of the MINI rack to keep the dirty wheels out of the car.