Does anyone have the sports hitch installed. We will soon be receiving our mini (beginning of May). It is a MCS convertible but I really want to be able to bring my bike out for the day come this summer. I looked at the steps to put the hitch on and not only is it $$$$ but holes in my baby's bumper? That seems way harsh. Just wondering if anyone has this, what your experience has been, or if anyone has any other less invasive suggestions.

 

Not sure the exact features of your MINI there is another one by the folks at http://www.miniaturetrailer.com/

Convertible example:
http://www.miniaturetrailer.com/bikes.php

No less invasive of an installation but pops through the rear fog light opening and would not require holes in the bumper.

 

The tubes are not in the bumper but actually project from the grill beneath the bumper. They are shiny stainless steel and look like the muzzles of a couple of artillery cannons. The look is actually rather cool I think - not ugly or obtrusive at all.

For all the world they look like the car-mounted machine guns on the Aston Martin DB5 (James Bond car) in Goldfinger. Since they are rear mounted, they also might be useful to eject oil slicks or flames or tacks or something. One of those switches on the dash must do something back there....

Anyway, I love my little tubes. The company that is now building out its line of fixtures not only has the bike rack but a tow hitch for this set up. They are planning a ski rack as well (I am very interested in that one - since I have a cabrio).

Here is their web site -

http://www.minifini.com/

Hope this helps -

Bill

 

That does help. Trying to decide whether to do this one or go with another company where the install looks a little less intrusive. Our dealer wants 852 bucks for the install of the hitch and the bike rack. We are getting a Cabrio as well so I need to do something b/c I'm a big bike rider and want to be able to use my new baby AND go riding especially with the summer coming up. I think I may go with a different rack even if we go with the hitch b/c their rack only fits two bikes.... you can get other racks that are expandable. My little guy will need room for his bike in a couple of years and I am trying to pre-plan