Hi! How's everyone holiday shopping going? I hope I'm not the only one here that goes to 'shop' at the strip malls just to drive slow for people to stare

I was just wondering if anyone is familiar with or has seen the MINI Roof Racks and kits that most of the MINI dealers offer on their little websites. I have seen threads in here regarding the Yakima and Thule Racks - all generally good reviews. Those two particular companies seem to be rather expensive (and for good reason i imagine, both quality), but the MINI one is relatively cheap at $198 for the roof rack base and about $70 or so for the additional snowboard rack...yakima i think is almost twice that.

Any thoughts or off-topic remarks? lol thanks, Bri

here's a link, just go to 'roof racks and severely overpriced luggage'. http://www.mininyc.com/accessories.asp

 

You'll also most likely need to pay for installation, as they drill holes in the roof to mount the brackets. The brackets are permanent, and have little covers that slide over them if you want to take the rack off.

 

The MINI OEM roof rack is great (I don't have it myself) but its main drawback is that it requires holes to be drilled into the roof's sheetmetal. When the roof rack is removed, plastic covers (Color matched to your MINI's roof) are put in place to cover the connection holes in the roof.

Some people swear by the Yakima roof racks (And other aftermarket alternatives) that don't require drilling holes.

 

The MINI rack bolts directly to the roof (thus the drilling). Aftermarket racks attach to the plastic gutter.

IMHO, the MINI rack is a much better choice. I just don't see how a rack mounted to the plastic could be as stable as one bolted to the roof.

 

I read the other day, in a different discussion thread, that there is an aftermarket roof rack alternative for the MINI that does not require a)drilling and b) to be attached to the plastic rain gutters around the roof.

Don't remember the name of it (It was not Yakima). Can someone chime in with the name of it?

 

I think it might be the Mont Blanc. I saw it in the latest Moss catalog. It appears to be removable, and the price isn't too bad. I like how low the profile is on it.

Here is a link

 

How does it attach? Magnets??

Another good option (But is not a roof rack) is the rear mounted rack for the MINI from MINIFINI:

www.minifini.com

Could be pricey though. Has anyone gone this route?

 

This is just the text from the Moss website, but I think it just uses the rain gutter style towers.

Style and function is what the Mini is all about. Mont Blanc's roof rack system holds true to that Motto. The heart of the system is the cleverly designed roof rack. No need for tools to assemble or drilling of holes to mount, it's sturdy and sleek design will hold up to 110lbs. of bikes, boards, or cargo. Available sport equipment carriers are a ski/snow board carrier, fork mount bike carrier, or the 'Barracuda'. The Barracuda is a revolutionary new design that features a special molded wheel profile which holds the bike steady allowing the use of both hands for securing. Works on Mini's with and without a sunroof.

 

[font='Times New Roman']If you are serious about carrying your bikes or other equipment, I'd recommend the MINI roof rack system. I've had Thule, gutter mount on a '81 Saab - an excellent combination back in the day when rain gutters were metal. Nowadays, after market roof racks attach with footpads and clips. But I'd rather not attach a roof rack with feet rubbing the roof and clips anchoring it to plastic gutters. The MINI roof rack is rock solid. I am using the Thule 590 - V2 lockable all metal fork mount carrier. With these mounted near the outer edge of the load bar, you can still open the boot with out obstruction.[/font]

 

I asked for a quote on price from my local MINI dealer. Yes, the rack is $190, but the labor to install it brings the price up to $499.
One of the MINI reps actually advised me to try the Yakima rack, it's less expensive overall and detachable. Here in the northwest racks are really popular and Yakima is the most respected brand next to Thule.

 

I have the factory rack and I like it very much. I have owned Yakima and Thule systems. In fact there is a Yakima on my Tahoe right now. IMO the factory is a far cleaner install and btw it carries much more weight. The spec is something like 75 vs 200 lb. , but I don't remember.

I leave my rack on 24/7 so I don't care about the drills and covers.

I have been cycling and kayaking for years and I really like this rack. It is very stable.

 

I forgot to mention that the install is expensive. I think it was $280. All ini all it was close to $600

 

i agree that the oem roof rack is the best-fitting, best-looking, strongest, most functional rack for the mini. that's just my opinion.

no extra few inches of cross bar hanging over the side edge to knock your head on. and if you ever plan on leaving your gear on there for a bite to eat or something, you can lock it down with cables/locks, as the racks are drilled on.

but yes, you're gonna hafta deal with the suspense of drilling holes thru your roof.

 

I have the OEM rack. From what I understand, they use a templet to drill the holes into a spot designed for that purpose. These are the key things I have discovered about the MINI rack.

1. If purchased and installed at the dealership (at time of vehicle purchase at least) it is covered by factory warranty.

2. MINI has designed the rack so that the drilling takes place using a templet to drill into a metal frame that accomodates the rack.

3. The finishing touch is a silicone sealer to waterproof the bolt attachments.

4. The rack is easy to take on and off (with the tool supplied with it)

5. The little plastic covers are easy to put on and take off. But after you do this a few times, they tend to fall off. No big deal. They are about 2 bucks each from the dealer.

6. The plastc covers are cosmetic only. The bolt attachment is waterproof and the cover doesn't prevent it from getting wet.

7. The biggest negative is the whistling noise (wind) while at speed. This is eliminated by pulling out the rubber bumpers (they can be put back if needed).

8. MINI supposedly has chrome plate covers that can be used in place of the black or white plastic ones. A great idea for adding a little chrome, but at about 18 bucks a piece (x's 4) they had better stay on a LOT better than the plastic ones. I haven't had the dfhjs to try them yet.

9. The rack works great for hauling Christmas trees . Its sturdy, and whole lot lower than an SUV rack.

And number 10.......You can still operate the power sunroof. The OEM rack was designed to allow full function of the sun roof.

 

I have the factory bars and they make quite a bit of noise. I ended up putting an old Yakima fairing on the front bar and that killed most of the noise. As others have noted the bars and installation are pretty expensive. Other than the expense and the noise I like the bars. I use rocky mounts noose sls for my bikes and a Thule big mouth snowboard mount. I wish I could figure out a way to use my Yakima powderhound but I don't have any idea how to make an adapter big enough for those bars.

Erik

 

Anyone out there have a copy of the installation instructions for the factory roof mounted rack? I've seen the instructions for the Sport Link rack but not the factory roof rack. I'm a DIY-er and want to know how much of the interior needs to be removed for the install. And yes, drilling holes in the roof would definitely raise the anxiety level.

FYI, $USD costs of factory racks:

Sport Link = $239
Bike Holder for Sport Link = $310
Labor = ??, but I'd bet it's more than the roof rack. But at least you only have to drill holes in the bumper or bumper grills.

Roof rack w install kit = $190
Bike carrier = $99 - $125 [two Mini models or aftermarket bike trays]

Sport Link caught my eye until I saw the price. Thought really hard about using the Sport Link bike carrier as a ski carrier [modified], but the price is ~2X that of factory roof rack.

I'm checking into Thule option and will report back with that.

-B

 

Muy,
You might do best by calling a dealership and talk to one of the service guys. I'm sure they can tell what's involved with installation. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

Here's a link to the official instructions for the MINI roof rack:

http://www.minimania.com/images/inst...oof%20Rack.pdf