Hi all, about to trade in my 2001 Lexus IS 300 for a 2003 MCS, there's one sticking point.. I haven't been able to get a definite answer on whether or not there is a roof bike rack for the MINI. Does anyone know for sure ?

 

They have it and I have one! Very easy to use...go for it!

 

That was a condition for me too - and that my road bike could fit in the back! I'm still waiting to order my MCS but I asked about racks when I first checked out Mini's and the sales guy (who was also a biker) told me that the rack was made by Yakima.

 

sobelmini, which rack do you have? I mountain bike a lot, and it's really important for me to have a bike rack for the car?
I've read about the rack being very noisy ... do you have that problem? do you keep the rack on at all times?

thanks!

 

DON'T purchase the bike rack that Mini offers unless you confirm that your bike will fit. I am an avid rider and bought the rack with the bike carriers just to carry my bikes, however it didn't fit either bike. The rack is essentially a gutter with a swing arm that rotates and is supposed to clamp onto the down tube from the seat. My mountain bike has a Y frame with no down tube and the other tubes are all oversized with no chance of fitting in the tiny clamp. My competition road bike almost worked but the clearance between the down tube and the tire was to narrow for the clamp to fit through. In the end the dealership refunded my money for the two bike carriers and I have thepermanent base rack. I learned that Yahkima makes a rack system that will fit the car but it is the kind that straps on at your door window heads. My strategy is to buy a gutter type system from Yahkima that uses a quick release at the front fork and modify it to work with my Mini roof rack. Haven't taken this project on yet. If anyone wants to 8#%@@~ bike racks, I'll make you a good deal. Good luck!

 

You can order one with the car. See http://www.miniusa.com and build a car. The bike rack is in step 5 ! Enjoy

 

Another bike rack question....

I vaguely remember something about the rack base being permanent--something about drilling, time, money... it's all foggy. It was winter so I wasn't pressed with needing to carry my bike anywhere and I didn't worry about it. Now, of course, we're coming up on spring and I need to know: is there an aftermarket rack that I can get to fit the MINI without the dealer installed base rack? Cause I really don't want to drive around with the rack on when I don't need it--even a low profile base.

~Kelley

 

When I go on Yakima.com and use the "choose my rack" feature, when I pick 2003, and MINI, it says selection unavailable... So it seems Yakima doesn't actually make a bike rack for the MINI.

This blows, the bike rack thing is a huge deal to me, and I need to find out for sure if my bike would fit on the factory rack (read previous post about y-frame bikes).

I guess I'll call Yakima tomorrow to see if they plan on putting one out soon, gotta hunt one down! :smile:

 

>>DON'T purchase the bike rack that Mini offers unless you confirm that your bike will fit. I am an avid rider and bought the rack with the bike carriers just to carry my bikes, however it didn't fit either bike. The rack is essentially a gutter with a swing arm that rotates and is supposed to clamp onto the down tube from the seat. My mountain bike has a Y frame with no down tube and the other tubes are all oversized with no chance of fitting in the tiny clamp. My competition road bike almost worked but the clearance between the down tube and the tire was to narrow for the clamp to fit through. In the end the dealership refunded my money for the two bike carriers and I have thepermanent base rack. I learned that Yahkima makes a rack system that will fit the car but it is the kind that straps on at your door window heads. My strategy is to buy a gutter type system from Yahkima that uses a quick release at the front fork and modify it to work with my Mini roof rack. Haven't taken this project on yet. If anyone wants to 8#%@@~ bike racks, I'll make you a good deal. Good luck!


I just found out (too late) the same thing. I ordered the base rack and two bike carriers for my MCS. The dealer only had one on hand, so he installed it. I took delivery on 5/5, but didn't have the opportunity to see if the bike would fit. When I finally tried to mount my road bike (std geometry merckx ti frame) on the rack, no luck. No matter how I positioned the trays, the clamp always wanted to grab one of the water bottle cages (either the seat tube of down tube). I really don't want to remove a water bottle cage in order to mount the bike.

Ironically, I am scheduled to drop my car off at the MINI dealer tomorrow to have the other bike carrier and some seat covers installed. Now I have to see about returning the one I have.

I tried to see whether I'd be able to retrofit my Thule "VeloVise" fork mounts to use the base rack, but it doesn't look good. I checked out the Yakima site and see that they have some adapters (horizontal Mighty Mounts) that theoretically allow you to use their upright bike mounts (not the fork mount??) with "most popular factory installed racks".

Anybody have experience with these?

 

There is a rack available that fits onto the hatch. I don't remember who makes it, but it's around $125, and the info is definitely on this site if you do a search. I'll probably be getting one in the next couple of months.

 

I'm thinking about going with the rack on MINIfini. It won't be available until summer, but is supposed to be sold through dealers. Seems easier to load than a rack on the roof.

 

Hey... I forgot this thread existed and I was actually just thinking about the bike rack situation this morning--neat timing.

Does anyone know if the MINIfini and other hatch mounted racks are usable with the spoiler?

 

REI has all Yakima stuff at 20% off right now. I put together a full roof rack for under $200 - crossbars, Q-Towers, and #78 Q-Clips. Goes on and off very easily once you get it set up, and seems quite solid. I've taken a few highway trips with my mountain bike on a Steelhead tray with no problems. I wouldn't leave it on for extended periods, as it does torque the roof trim a bit when clamped down.

 

>>REI has all Yakima stuff at 20% off right now. I put together a full roof rack for under $200 - crossbars, Q-Towers, and #78 Q-Clips. Goes on and off very easily once you get it set up, and seems quite solid. I've taken a few highway trips with my mountain bike on a Steelhead tray with no problems. I wouldn't leave it on for extended periods, as it does torque the roof trim a bit when clamped down.

Could you post some pics of your setup?

Andy

 

I bought the Yakima hatch rack. It works great with my MCS spoiler, just slides underneath. My only advice to you if you're considering this rack is to only get it if your bike has a "normal" frame.

My Specialized FSR doesn't sit too well on the rack, and I use some extra straps to be safe. But I don't drive long distances with my bike on the rack, so everything has worked out great.

Ok I'll shut up now, here are some pics

 

hey george..nice mini

i didnt know you had a lexus too

our local simi valley member ron has an is300 and a mcs..

and i have a lexus sc300 and a mcs

lexus and mini must be coexisting in a lot of garages :smile:

 

nah, don't have it anymore. I posted this thread on 2/22 when i still had the IS 300. I really enjoyed it, and to this day, I still think Lexus' service is unmatched in the industry.

I would own a lexus again if they used less wood (old man look), and more cool aluminum.

 

>>nah, don't have it anymore. I posted this thread on 2/22 when i still had the IS 300. I really enjoyed it, and to this day, I still think Lexus' service is unmatched in the industry.
>>
>>I would own a lexus again if they used less wood (old man look), and more cool aluminum.


yeah i just realized this thread is old. i am on summer break....so i am posting..lol...i start my internship at a large law firm next wednesday :smile:

yeah i am going to sell my sc300 this month.

hmm..i actually like the wood trim..i am 21..and drive a car that the average age is 57years old

 

another small tip i forgot to mention for anyone considering that yakima rack I posted above.

notice that I didn't put the top brace under the rear windshield wiper. the weight of the bike would push up against it, and I'm sure in the long run, dislodge or loosen it.

(I keep calling it a "brace" - dunno what else to call it)
So the top brace sits on the middle of the rear windshield. The bike sits straight even though the arms on the rack are sloping downwards.

 

Thanks for the pics Sam. Is that the Mighty Joe rack?
Can you make them smaller next time?

Andy

 

i posted the 1024x768 versions so people could get a close look at the rack and where the straps clamped in. Otherwise I'd post 800x600

yes, it's the mighty joe rack

 

Looking at the pic on the website, it doesn't appear that the MINIfini rack would
interfere with the spoiler at all.
And it allows access to the hatch even with bikes loaded.

And sambusik, I've used Yakima clip on trunk racks in the past and ended up with
scratches and some rust spots where the clips went. How do you avoid getting that
with your set-up?



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'03 MC: PS/B with red interior, premium and sport packages, chrome, xenons, CVT

 

VAmini,
I think they're coated with some rubber material so they don't scratch. I will take a closer look however.

 

>>>>
>>Looking at the pic on the website, it doesn't appear that the MINIfini rack would
>>interfere with the spoiler at all.
>>And it allows access to the hatch even with bikes loaded.
>>
>>And sambusik, I've used Yakima clip on trunk racks in the past and ended up with
>>scratches and some rust spots where the clips went. How do you avoid getting that
>>with your set-up?

So does the MINIfini bike rack mount at the top via the rubber coated that will not scratch the paint. Then the bottom portion where does it mount. I don't want to drill no stinkin holes in the car, and I don't want to scratch the paint. Does it mount in the tow hook thing in the bumper?

I would love to find a good and car friendly bike rack. This is the best thing I have seen so far, but I am concerned about if it is as good as it looks

jc :smile:

 

anybody have pics of this MINIfini rack you keep mentioning ?