I have discovered that Mini apparently changed the roof design between the '09 and the '10 models. It appears that the only option that I have is the Mini cross bars since I do not have the roof rails.

Has anyone else looked into this issue for the '10 Clubmans?

Thanks

 

The '09's have the same problem. I made the same mistake, not ordering the roof rails.

 

Hey guys! I am in the middle of trying to get a roof rack for my '09 clubman w/o roof rails and Thule just came out with a part (fit kit) thats designed for our cars. Look into the 480R kit and 47" Aero Bars. Or just give Thule a call and they will explain everything to you.

 

Roof Rails have always been a Factory Option ONLY. The reason for this is that the amount of work and removal of air bags and disturbance of safety equipment is beyond economical. It would take about 10 hours to install roof rails after the car fully manufactured.

But the Roof Rails are still available as a Factory Option.

As Barchinski states Thule has come up with something but after working with them in late 08 at their Connecticut Facility I have my doubts about how well it will hold to the roof and what kind of damage can be caused to the roof if someone was to drive into their garage with bikes on the roof.

We already know what happens to the OEM racks when someone drives into the garage with a bike on the roof as a NAM member has done that. The result was a damaged front wheel and a minor dent in the roof but the rack stayed in place. The Thule rack would not do that because of its design and could very easily rip the roof skin making it a very expensive repair

 

I asked the sales rep at the dealership when I picked up my 2010 Clubman and he said that there was nothing in the information packages that the sales staff received about any changes to the roof. It's a Canadian-spec car, BTW, so there *may* be some differences between it and those from the US or anywhere else.

I'd love to get a *definitive* answer though, as I suspect that Yakima and Thule will take a while to get new racks ready for the 2010 models, and I NEED to have a rack ready for this spring. From everything I've seen so far, the OEM rack is not going to be wide enough: my current racks have crossbars that are 60", and that's only a few inches wider than I need.

I was planning on ordering racks from Yakima (I have their system currently, so I could re-use the crossbars and kayak saddles), and telling the guys at the local rack store that the car was a 2009. (They do have the 2009 Clubman listed.) They won't sell me a 2009 rack for a 2010 car due to liability issues, but if I am certain that the roofs are identical, I can -- ahem -- lie to them about the year and not worry about it. I doubt they're going to check the ownership to verify the year.

But if the roof has changed, then I'm going to have to wait for Yakima (or Thule) to get a new set of racks developed. And that is going to take a big chunk out of my paddling summer. A friend waited for *months* for Yakima to get roof racks for his Honda CR-V, despite them reassuring him that the CR-V was one of their important "target" vehicles. I can just imagine how long it will be for them to get around to the MINI Clubman!

Anyway, if someone can cite chapter and verse on the roof specs for the 2010s, as compared to the 2009s, I'd be grateful.

Thanks,
--
Darryl

 

Sigh when I was ordering mine I told him to take them off since I thought I could get the rack myself.

Still kicking myself for it.

 

Both Thule and Yakima make track systems that can be mounted to the clubman roof and Thule also make tracker feet that can also be mounted to the roof by drilling holes. I' considering these options. Am I crazy?

 

Do you have a sun roof? if you do then the tracker feet will not fit (at least they would not on my 08 as the sunroof support system sits right were the feet needed to go and I would have screwed up the sunroof.

 

I have a sunroof and Rackattack in Minneapolis says they can install Thule tracks on each side. they have done it befor and can be seen on Rackattack Portlands blog. What do you think? Am I nuts to let them drill holes down each side of the roof--they say there is no problem with it and the pictures on their site seem to bare this out.

nancy

 

I think you are nuts to let them drill holes thru the roof skin and the sunroof framing.

Also of note is there are Air Bags just under the roof skin in that area. That is why the dealers are not allowed to install the OEM Roof Rails on the car. If the air bags are damaged by drilling they will not work properly. Also if they do not damage the air bags when drilling there is still the posiblilty of the airbag being damaged during the installation of the rack as the screws go thru the roof, and if not protected from the screws sticking thru the roof the air bag can be damaged when it is deplying during an accident. I.E. it may not work correctly and not do what it is supposed to do - save your life.

BTW all the racks from mounts from Thule and Yakima that I looked at back in the spring of 2008 were to side to fit between the dune and the sun roof any way. I could have shaved down part of the mount to make it sit closer tot he dune but then there was still the sunroof frame issue.

I have had the headliner down in my car in there is no place for error in installing the racks.

This is just my opinion. And also in my opinion there is no way I would some thing like this to set up the air bags for failure.

 

I spoke with Mini Service today and they said there is 4 to 6 inches of room below the roof, before the airbags--so as long as they don't slip and drill deeper than that I should be fine. Hopefully they will use a drill bit that is no longer than 2 to 3 inches.

 

Well the dealer has know idea of what they are talking about then. Open the sun roof and look at the distance from the roof skin to the headliner and you will see that it is less than 2" (two inches) The overall height of the "dune is only 4" inches on the outside so there is no way that there is 4-6 inches above the air bag. the actual distance form the headliner to the roof skin at its most is only about 3 inches.

Infact the air bag actually sit against part of the dune of the roof skin so that when it deploys in goes down and not up.

Again this is the "specific reason" that MINI Corporate has stated that dealers "Can Not" install roof rails on the Clubman.

 

Why not just install the factory rood rails?

They costs about $400 with everything you need and there are guide holes on where to drill if you drop the headliner

I was quoted $350 labor to put them on , not as cheap as factory option but much better than a aftermarket setup.

I will be getting my rails insalled in a few weeks

Ill keep you updated

 

What dealer ship is doing this as MINI has very specificaly told dealers this is not to be done. I last checked about three weeks ago and was to that there has been not change and that the parts are not available for retrofit. And if you can find out when this changed that would be great, I would like to know so i can go back to my dealer about it.

 

All I can say is checkou the photos of the 2 mini clubmans at http://rackattackportland.wordpress....-rack-systems/

 

it seems there's a big difference between the roof rails and the roof rack base. please correct me if i'm wrong. picking up my car tomorrow and the roof rack is very important.
i'm gathering that the roof rails are factory installed, permanent; for tying items to the roof. the roof rack base is dealer installed and is the base for ski, bike, etc racks. do I have this correct?

 

Sort of.

Base Roof Rack System consists of two removable cross bars that fit into slots at the rain gutters. accessories for bikes, kayak, etc can be added to them.

Roof Rails are rails that run front to back like on many SUV's and mini vans that can have cross bars attached to them. They are permanent, yet the cross bars can be removed. Accessories for bikes , kayak etc can be added to the crossbars.

 

base roof rack system is easily installed at home
have to buy accy's seperate :(
surfboard system holds my 9'-6" surfboard at 90mph without a problem, and looks to be able to handle kayaks
getting the bike accy next.

 

I drove to Rackattack in Minneapolis on Friday. They permanently installed two Thule 72" tracks on my clubman roof that their thule feet attach into. Looks great/hardly shows, and works great--carrying a Current Design Vision 14 ' kayak and an Epic surf ski 20'. Was told they would post pictures of my white clubman on there website blog. Love the solution--Don't get the Thule clip on rack--it deforms ypur plastic rain gutter on the back driver's side and only rated for 80 pounds. I could envision it ripping the plastic rain gutter right off the car.

 

Also I should tell you that my sunroof works just fine--they only drill about on inch into the roof--I saw the drill bits used.

 

Looks great! This is something I want done too for my 2010 Clubbie... Do you know if I can put a Thule cargo box on the cross bars??

 

Both Thule and Yakima attachments fit on the Thule tracks that were installed just inside the long side humps on my roof--including the roof boxes. I can change the spacing of the bars to fit my load, anywhere along the 72" tracks.

 

Nice thanks! Guess I'll try to schedule an install when I get to Colorado for MITM/MTTS!

 

Just got my factory roof rails in

Now to get them installed

Dealer price is $660
Local Sunroof shop is $350

I think I am going less expensive route

I will keep everyone updated

 

I did not find the racks easy to install at all. What is the bracket mechanism like for yours?