Asked for an update and though there is no official news, my service advisor said that there have been so many inquiries that he is sure that MINI will have the new rack situation in hand soon. Here's hoping, for those of us who've chosen to wait it out.

 

It's mid-May. Any news from anyone on Clubman hitches while we wait for racks?

 

Maybe you should ask these guys https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ighlight=hitch

 

Okay, I really need a solution. I put my bike in the back of Lucky yesterday, removing the front wheel. I was afraid I'd scratch something, and the handle bars came all the way up into the front seat past the arm rest. This isn't something I want to be doing, and I'm itching to take a ride up to Acadia.

Should I just buy the one that supposedly doesn't fit? I haven't heard any news from Thule or Yakima.

 

Or you could buy the one that does fit. Lots of people who installed their own racks have no problems. The rack fits if installed correctly, by someone who cares about the MINI it is being installed on. Mine fits perfectly. Donna and Mike have no problems with theirs.

Time to make up your own mind.

 

From minifini 3 days ago

Hi Joe,

Yes, we have a working prototype in place and plan on having them for sale
in 2 to 3 weeks.

Thanks for your interest in our products!

John

 

Hey Jim - I'm taking your approach and order one online. Should be here by early next week. Have you found that you can take it on or off the top pretty easilly or is it pretty much on there for good (meaning, it would be problematic trying to remove and put back on)? Thanks

 

Where did you order from? I'm very close to buying 82 71 0 398 321 from Morristown MINI ($212).

 

I just read through the entire rack thread over on MINI2, and someone suggested trying a Thule or Yakima certified for the 2007 R56. So, I'm going to drive up to LL Bean tonight or tomorrow, but a Thule rack, and just as easily return it if it doesn't work.

Any objections?

 

No objections - and will look forward to hearing how it all works out. Good for your pro-activity!

 

Slight correction... Kittery Trading Post is much cheaper than LL Bean... I'll go there, and I'll let you know how I make out.

 

Tim, that may have been me that mentioned the Thule or Yakima rack working from an R56. From speaking to a Rack Shop local to me, it won't work due to the roof difference between the R55 and R56. So I bagged the idea of going that direction.

To answer your other question, I ordered the R55 Mini rack from Morristown MINI ($212). I should be getting it next week. Figured that enough people got them to work that it should be ok (and if replacement parts come out from Mini to alter the fit then they should hopefully work on existing ones that already were sold.)

 

If you haven't yet or even if you have already, be sure to review the various roofmeister's posts on MINI2...they start at about post 44 and JimRay's is here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-club...ml#post3410607. There are some good close up photos by a number of familiar posters, both here and there, and some finer points that seem to make all the difference in the proper install.

Expecting a full fledged report.

As for the ease of removal, some seem to say it's not a problem once you know what you're doing...whereas others seem to flinch.

I appreciate the never ending roof rack info and eventually I am sure my husband will take hold of one and put her on.

 

Yes, that was your post that I read. Okay, guess I won't go to Kittery. I just called Thule. They're looking at at least 6 more months. He said if I was willing to have a body shop drill, he recommends their track system. He's heard a lot of instaces where just mounting the 4 feet (like on Rain_Runner's) will cause depressions in the roof.

Okay, I'm just bit the bullet. I got the $212 rack and two $104 touring bike holders from Morristown MINI. These are the ones that were for sale under the "MINI Hard Top 2007 -on" category.

 

I'd be curious to hear how well this installs, as opposed to the rack base sold for the Clubman...

 

It's the same one. It just has a different part number and price.

 

that's what I hear...

 

So which one is cheaper then? The R56 or the R55?

 

R56. Go to morristownmini.com

 

Well, they gave me the same price as the R55 as is the R56. The part number I order was 82-71-0-435-846. If you got the other part number I guess this will be an excellent test to see which one works or doesn't work! (Sounds like they are the same).

Update: Should be here today based on Fedex update. Will post this weekend.

 

Ok, a quick update. I recieved the shipment from Morristown this morning. I've taken about a half hour to check it out and try installing it (just the front section only). The cross sections are clearly marked as:

Item # 82 71 0 435 846

After removing the two front rubber sections along the rain gutter on the clubbie, I ran the cross beam over the top. After many attempts to PUSH the metal bracket into the side slot, there is just no way. The angle to the bracket that comes on the cross beam the goes into the slot is not right. I would have to use signifigant force to get it in there and like a poster on MINI2 stated, would probably have sore thumbs for weeks. On one attempt to push it into the slot I could tell it was going to rip up the paint on the corner and after taking it off it had started to. Also, it looks like if I did finally press it in there, it would be pressing down on the existing gutter material and probably mis-shapen it. So, at this point I'm going to take another look at it later tonight or tomorrow, but I have a feeling its going back.

 

Wow;

This does not sound good. Sorry this was such a struggle.

Maybe we will have to wait on the "solution" from MINI?
I have contacted Yakima three times...no; they say.

 

Bummer.

 

Tim, you may have better luck than me. Maybe since you ordered the R56 version it WILL be different and will work. I'm going to try again tomorrow and read thru some of the posts here and on MINI2 to see if there is a step I'm missing. I'm hoping yours works and you can tell me if the product code is different then mine, etc.

If I end up returning this rack to Morristown Mini, anyone ever return something to them? I hope they are good about it.

 

Good luck taskmaxter, and thank you for reporting back on all of this. No question that Morristown should take the rack back - if it doesn't work, it doesn't work and technically they shouldn't be selling it because they have received the notice not to.