Here's a pic...

:smile: :smile: :smile:

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Nice!! Thank you for sharing.

I was very interested in the factory roof rack when I ordered my car, but my MA talked me out of it. She said that she thought it would be terrible to drill holes in my roof. When I mentioned that if I changed my mind after I got the car that I could still get it, she said it wouldn't be covered under the warranty.

Having looked at the options out there, I still think it's a great way to go! Were you concerned that it was the first install for that dealership/tech? What type of warranty/guarantee are they giving you?

I'm still very interested in it!

 

I don't know about the warranty? I never asked. :smile:

 

I had a difficult time making the decision to get the roof racks. I want to do anything and everything with my MCS. Last summer, myself , two kids and a ski box went camping on the east coast (2000km). The rig was solid and reasonably quiet at 120kph. I was really angry when the dealer drilled a hole in the incorrect location AND it took two paint jobs to bring it up to 90% satisfaction. I didn't want my Mini worked over anymore. I enjoy the racks and I hope you do too.

 

sidi: Did you also get your roof rack installed after you took delivery of your MINI? Or did you order the MINI with the roof rack already installed?

 

Tontobird, it was after delivery. I bought the demonstrator with the thought that all the bugs would be sorted out. So far, so good.

 

Man, that does look really good! Well, except for the road bike

 

I had an interesting experience with my Mini roof rack. I purchased my car (spontaneous) at the dealer and included the rack in the purchase even though they couldn't put it on right away. So I waited about three weeks and scheduled the appointment for a Friday. Dropped car off on Thur. night and the dealer graciously gave me a loaner (CVT Mini). Friday I get a call from the service manager telling me there was bad news. A hole was drilled in the wrong spot. Normally I would have freaked, but in my heart I knew there wasn't much I could do about it. They sent the car to a body shop and promised I would never know where the hole was. A week and a half later I got my car back with the rack put on and looking perfect. The moral of the story is things can go wrong but they can be fixed too. I love the rack, it is easy to use and I like the look.

 

>>Man, that does look really good! Well, except for the road bike

 

What was the cost for the rack, labor, and bike carrier? if you don't mind me asking.

 

I was completely opposed to getting the MINI factory roof rack because of the holes that would need to be drilled into the roof. But D2MINI makes a good point: There are already a number of holes in the roof for the antenna, spoiler, etc. From what I've seen of the aftermarket racks that depend on the drip rails for their attachment, I think that the MINI rack is the only way to go. Most Motorers I know with racks have them installed and never take them off.

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2002 Indi Blue Cooper w/ Black top & mirrors, sport seats and Prem. Pkg. Christened "Ringo".

 

>>What was the cost for the rack, labor, and bike carrier? if you don't mind me asking.

I got all the parts, installation kit, and install for $618 including tax. Pretty good deal from what I've seen and other quotes i got.

 

Nice roadie.

 

Do they whistle or hum on the highway
look like they should be there

 

No hum or whistle that I've heard yet. Had it up to 80mph with just the main bars and the only thing i noticed was more general rushing wind noise. Around town (0-50mph) i didn't notice any difference.
This sunday I'll be able to use the entire set up on the freeway. :smile:

 

:smile: I think we've taken it off twice -

 

>> There are SO many other cars that come with roof racks drilled into the roof. The only difference is - yes - they come from the factory already installed.
>>
>>
Really? Do you mean station wagons and SUV's?

 

gotta agree...that is a pretty good point that wasn't really mentioned before...that there are already holes in the roof for other things. ontop of that, the oem roof racks mounting points are already built in to each and every mini, being just below the roof in the frame.

i think most owners who went with aftermarket companies had two main issues with the oem...one was the drilling, the other was the cost.

personally, the drilling did concern me. but once past that, i realized that oem was the only way for me to go. especially when none of the aftermarket companies can say in their brochures that the racks are meant to be left on permanently. ontop of that, an employee at a local kayak shop himself told me that their aftermarket racks for the mini don't seem to be very solid.

so that was that. plus the racks help to make my mini that much more unique.

 

d2mini, cmon now, saddle bags are so last year
j/k rack looks great. Wish I woulda gotten it instead of Yakima

 

>>d2mini, cmon now, saddle bags are so last year :smile:

 

Was that $618 with the tray? If so, that is not a bad price at all for basically a custom rack. What is the distance between the rails? Weight capacity?

 

Anybody installed the factory rack themselves? If so, any advice?

 

You would need the template to do that. I don't know where you'd get one. The dealers probably hold on to them pretty tight.

 

I know a little bit about it.... if it helps you any...

Like i said earlier, the mounting points are already under the skin of every mini's roof. You just have to drill into the right spots. I believe there are eight holes all together. The installation kit that you buy comes with a template to measure everything exactly. But it doesn't come with any tools. You need some kind of metal key hole saw from what i gathered by what the tech was explaining. And he couldn't find the right size at Sears when he realized they didn't have one. So they ended up borrowing one from a different dealer.

So anyway, after hearing about how precise you need to measure and everything and having the correct tool, i opted to let the pros do it.

Let us know if you do this yourself. I believe you would be the first.


IanF - yes, that price included everything, even tax. At this time I do not know the distance or the weight capacity.

 

The price of the base rack and tray on the MINI site is $284.00....leaving $334.00 for labor?..seems high for drilling 8 holes!