ooo man the red clubbie with the red pitchforks! I have that on mine... but if you don't mind taking racks off (i know it's a f*(&@ pain) plasti dip the racks black!

 

my racks just came today. I plan on installing this weekend. Mini rack, with the rockymount bike tray (black). might have to make the mini rack my first plastidip experiment...

your clubbie looks cool with the red rockymounts. I thought about getting the white ones (my clubbie is pepper white), but I don't know if the color is close enough, and the roof is black, so I think it'll look better.

 

I want to see pics, so hurry up
LOL

 

I vote for the factory racks. I've had both and the stock ones are quieter, easier to install, and look better IMHO.

 

I'm torn. I like the OE, yet like the look of when the cross bars hang out slightly past the rails
Any idea on a good quality brand to allow me to have that look?
Again, still not opposed to OE racks

 

Thule or Yakima either one. For non OE I'm preferring Thule right now. The load bars of either system come in different lengths. The attachment to the roof wouldn't change. I have the OE. A friend of mine installed the OE recently just because she likes the look. I have to agree.

 

For people looking for the correct factory MINI roof rack:
There is one for the Clubman with roof rails and one without roof rails.

R55 MINI Clubman Roof Rack Base Bars *With out roof railing. Part 82712149225
( also referred to as attaching to the rain gutters )


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82712149225/



&

R55 MINI Clubman Roof Rack Base Bars * With roof railing. Part 82710435867


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82710435867/



--------------------------------------------


Here are the Rockymounts Euro PitchFork , these come in mutiple colors and great to mtach your MINI or to throw color into the mix. Its great to go with the new "Ray Line" color also. There is black, gray, and white version also in addition to the colors.

Euro PitchFork Bicycle Rack


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/Euro_PitchFork_Bicycle_Rack/








Thanks

 

I tried the Yakima and didn't like the fit. They worked great on my Honda, but even with the proper pieces, not so well on the Clubman.

So I bought the MINI crossbars and installed them last week. Since I used a hammer to encourage them into the slots, I don't intend to remove them any time soon. I may need to trim a little more rain gutter to get a better fit. My club door window does not seal properly. No more wind noise than I get from the sunroof.

So far, they are there just to carry a ladder. Next up, the hitch receiver.

 

For those that are interested- I decided to wait on the install of my oem rack (which i purchased from ecs tuning- thanks guys). Im going to plastidip(spray) the cross bars gloss black to match the roof and rockymount euro bike tray. So hopefully i can spray them this weekend and install!

 

Craig - You are welcome.
Post up some pics when you get the bars painted, like to see the custom mod OEM racks.

 

Nice can't wait to see it

 

In progress

 

I painted the plastic covers too. The plasti dip peels right off the silver sliver and keyhole. just fyi. I was scared of them getting gray in future. but looks good

 

I'm interested to see how it turns out and holds up. I wrapped mine in black and didn't do too bad. The indents were a little tricky and don't conform real well but over all it was a pain to do. If yours holds up I'll go your route when mine start to suck. Going on a year now.

 

the plastidip is cool because you can rip it off (just like wrap) if ever sell.

 

Here is what I had on my (now gone R55):























Originally, this was a HUGE roof rack made by Thule for Audi. I got it used locally for next to nothing and customized it to fit Clubman's roof (making it 40% less in width). That allowed me to fit the roof rack AND one bike rack as well. And I loved the shape of it better than OEM rack...

Today, I dropped all parts including new roof cross bars (for Paceman) at the powder coating shop. By Friday all will be satin black to fit the new color scheme of my new MINI...


:tu:

 

Looks bad ***!
Still got your roof racks from your clubman? Or you reusing it?

 

That clubman looks great. I'm actually considering the same side stripe for mine. Now i know what it looks like!

As for the plasti dip- its my first dip job so though i would err on the side of "cautious"

 

Standard racks from MINI and bought the Kayak rack from Dicks.





Works great...

Andy

 

im looking into the oem roof rack off of ecs tuning. i jus have a few questions first.. as far as self install all the install work is just on the top of the roof correct? not inside the car? second how well does thule/yakima attachments work with the oem roof rack?

 

Self install nothing inside. Roof has bits where it goes. You will curse mini as you install. But it's doable and don't give up. Look up a diy. Cover side not being installed to prevent scratches.


Rocky mounts ftw. They install more securely than the Thule and Yakima ones do IMO and they're cheaper and look better! So much good! Lol

 

ok great! i was worried id have to do some of the install from the inside and i didnt like the thought of that... and the only thing i really want from thule is the basket for the roof rack. they have the one i like the most as far as the height of the sides and so forth... i feel like mini has really shallow baskets and some with some of the brands. as far as the fork mounted bike tracks ill keep rocky mounts in mind! thanks for your input!

 

I haven't done it yet, because I just painted mine, but I found "how-to" online

Mini Roof Rack Install

I might actually try it today if time allows. I bought the rockymounts euro fork mount tray for my bike. And plan on getting the snowboard rack from them when it is released in november. The design of their stuff seems better thought-out than the oem attachments, IMHO.

 

I have a Clubman with roof rails and the base system installed. It was a PITA to get it on right and...
Now I'm wondering if I can go through a car wash with the system installed.


Okay, one more--what if I add a rack to the base system.
Will I be able to go through a car wash?

 

I can't imagine why you would have a problem with almost any OEM rack (from most manufacturers). They are usually attached to the framework and are more solid than just a strap like most aftermarket systems (although, even then, they are quite strong when installed properly). If you think about their function, I doubt a car wash is harder on your rack than having to withstand holding a bike/kayak/ski/etc flying down the highway at 80 miles an hour...