Can you give us an updated review on how the Yakima roof rack is doing on your MINI since you've gotten it installed?

Things I'm interested in finding out are:

- sunroof clearance - can you open the sunroof with the rack mounted
- how's your weather stripping doing? Is it damaged/coming off
- how easy is it to remove/remount the rack
- any other good or bad things you have to say about it

and of course, pics would be very helpful

 

bumping to keep on front page in case some Yakima owners see it...

 

I don't have the rack, but I think your thumbs up baby is one cute happy baby!

 

>>- sunroof clearance - can you open the sunroof with the rack mounted

Couldn't tell you - no tengo. I think I've read that it clears though.

>>- how's your weather stripping doing? Is it damaged/coming off

Weather stripping seems unaffected, although the trim along the edge of the roof is definitely deformed a few mm when the clamps are torqued. Seems to come right back, though. Why didn't MINI build the roof with real gutters!?!

>>- how easy is it to remove/remount the rack

Very easy, once you set it up. Takes me 60 secs to put in on, 30 to take it off. I keep my steelhead bike tray attached, which keeps the 2 bars connected and centered. I just wipe off the roof and slap it on.

>>- any other good or bad things you have to say about it

Good:
- Very cost effective when compared to stock rack (<$200 "installed&quot, and more and better accessories.
- Easy to remove. Seems like the stock rack is a major operation to remove and install.
- No holes drilled in your roof - no little cap/cover things when the rack is removed.
- Low wind noise, even without a fairing

Bad:
- Probably not as solid as the stock rack and only "rated" for 75lbs. (Although this is more than enough for a couple of bikes, boards, skis, etc.)
- Narrow spread. Yakima reccommends 18", I set mine at about 21". Could be a problem for a kayak or other long, high-windage items.

It's perfectly fine for light "sports" use, but I wouldn't reccommend it for hauling lumber day in and day out.

 

XAlfa,
thank you very much for a very informative post. i think many of us out there are looking into alternate roof racks because the factory rack costs an arm and a leg installed (some dealers still charging 9 hrs labor!!)

My biggest concern was the weather stripping, but it's good to hear that it's not majorly affected, especially since the rack is easily removeable.

thx again!

 

No problem. Again, the weather stripping across the top of the door seems fine, it's the plastic trim piece along the edge of the roof that is bent a bit by the clamps.

 

^^ yeah, that's what i meant, I was incorrectly calling it the weather stripping. thx!