any after market racks that work without drilling holes into the roof?

 

doesn't look like anyone has anything yet that I have found. Yakima or Thule sent me away. Best bet is probably the dealer option, but it sounds like you already know about and do not want holes drilled in a perfectly good water-tight roof.

 

here is a thread about the yakima rack:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp;topic=2600

 

I agree... a non-driller would be great, I'd like to be able to haul stuff that won't fit in the car, but don't need any holes. If they could make it even remotely attractive as well, that'd be greeeaaat.

 

Ok, it does give it a nice European look; but seriously, who wants to drill into their new Mini? Also, some posts mention a "whistling noice." A bad surprise after shelling out $600+ for rack and install. I'll wait for the rack companies to come up with something. It seems like the Mini is a car that would appeal to the biking crowd and, thus, would be a good market for rack companies to cater to (Not to mention the need!).
-Otto

_________________
Freezing my tail pipe off in Chicago. Brrrrr! Wait listed for a 2003 Cooper S. Still debating options (Suggestions?).

"We're on a road to nowhere. Come on inside. Takin' that ride to nowhere. We'll take that ride."

 

i was just checking out the yakima rack and it seems a bit cheap. some of the bmx bikes i ride can weigh up to 40lbs each! with a 75lb weight limit, all i need it to blast a corner and launch a 1500 dollar bike into my car. i would be a bit worried about resale with the mini rack. the next person may not want a rack and with holes in the roof... the "mini" rack seems very well engineered, and i would not worry about leaks or anything, it's just those darn holes when it's not there! the plastic caps for the holes are not exactly pleasing to the eye.

oh, question! do you think the mini rack would work with a bmx type bike. note the short wheelbase and short downtube?

also...i used a hitch mount rack on my miata. has anyone looked into that? i was very pleased with that system! and you could not see the receiver either!

 

I was wondering if there is any roof racks that are just the base bars for a 2003 mini cooper that don't need to drill the roof to install

 

Wow! this resurrected thread is old enough to vote! I have used a couple of yakima racks on the top of my MINI's over the years. You can pretty easily assemble a set of towers, clips and bars for probably about $300 or so new. No drilling involved, but in my experience the towers are hard on the paint on the roof. That may or may not be a deal breaker for you.