I have a few questions for who has the Mini roof mount bike rack.
Do you think it works well?
Since it is perm. mounts, does it make any wind noise?
Would you get it again?
What are the pros and cons of this rack system?

Thanks,
Paul B

 

d2mini at www.cooperspeed.com uses a mini top mount. he has pics and can fill you in. I use a sirias 3 on my mini, which you can check out on the that site as well within the gallery under this same post name

 

Sport-Link

http://outmotoring.com/mini_fini_sport_link_bike_rack.html

 

First, the mini roof rack is not, necessarily, permanently mounted. Mine is currently in my garage, and not on my car. All it takes is loosening 8 bolts.

When you have it off, the unfinished bolts that are installed in the roof need to be covered, with small plastic covers. If you're looking for them, they stand out. Most people (non-mini owners) don't seem to notice them. in two months with the rack, I've had two of them come off, after a hand car wash. Just need to pay attention.

Third, and the reason that the rack is in the garage, is wind noise. Starts at ~35 MPH, and is a high pitched whistle. At freeway speeds, it is quite audible inside the car, even with the sunroof closed. A little music does drown it out.

I have both the luggage rack and the bike rack on my base, so I can't tell you if its the base or either of the two attachemnts, though perusing Mini2 and MiniUSA's forums indicates you will have noise with just the base. In addition, I have read that removing the rubber inserts across the base bars will reduce the noise, but not eliminate it. Haven't tried, frankly.

I would get it, again, but mainly because I need the luggage rack. If it's only use is for bikes, I would go with the sportslink.

 

On our 02', we had the OEM roof rack installed and loved it. We DID remove the rubber inserts and the wind noise whistle went away almost completely. We left the rack on all the time - only took it off twice I think. :smile:

At the time we bought the MINI - May 02' - it was the only option as far as bike racks out on the market at the time. Since then, as you are already finding out, there are others to choose from. We wanted the OEM because it was covered under warranty should something happen. Never once had a problem with it - and very easy to take off and put back on...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven)
05' Cool Blue MCSC

 

there's nothing from Yakima or Thule?

 

Hey Aulden that link is bad. I thought I saw the problem but I was wrong. Takes you to the Microsoft page...

My problem with the Sportlink is the mounts... When you don't have it connected the SportLink connectors look like machine gun muzzles!

 

Sportslink link

(and personally, I like the Machine gun look)

Prior to getting my rack, a buddy let me test drive his modded-S. He used another brand roof-rack (don't know if it was Yakima or Thule), which attached to the rain gutter trim.

What neither of us liked about this was that this attachment method left a small indentation on his roof where the rack attached.

The bottom line, I think, is that each of the three types of racks have a downside, in addition to the difference in price.

 

My factory unit has been on since last August and I have not taken it off since. Removing the rubber eliminated the whistle on my car even at speeds in excess of 100 mph.

I have/had Thule and Yakima systems on other cars and I like the factory system because I think the install is clean. I prefer not to have towers and rain gutter style clamps on my car.

I have had no problems and like the system very much. I believe the fork lock bike rack is an OEM Thule. Good luck

 

Thanks to everyone for all the info. I am going to go with the Mini roof rack. Seems like a nice system. Its nice that I can take it off. It will be on all summer and off during the winter. I dont mind the looks of it, I was mainly concerned with the wind noise and how well it works. I pick up my Mini next week from Julie at Classic. I am lucky because I work in Mentor (where Classic is) and pass the Mini store every day, and my wife works for the Classic auto group.


Thanks again guys,
Paul B

 

Anyone know what the typical installed price of the Sportslink is? It's $239 for the "part", but it looks like the bumper needs to be removed, etc.

 

My problem with the Sportlink is that I have carbon fiber road bikes which don't like to be hung from their top tubes. Also the roof rack can carry a variety of things like kayaks, skis etc.