http://turn17.com/?p=261

Here you go is another good installation how-to.

 

i purchased my Mini used, and it came with roof racks. I would like to take them off, but i dont have the plastic inserts that cover the holes... does anyone know if this is available anywhere?

Edit/update: found it. For future reference, part number is 82720426987

 

To schatzy62
I'm with you, I'd like to take my OE racks off during the week then put them on on the weekend to go surf.

Question: Do you worry about water leaking in the slots while the racks are on? It seems like if there's a downpour water would get in and go who knows where.

 

Here is the Roof rack removal kit: 82720426987


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82720426987/




Once you remove the roof rack and install those you should have no leaks.

 

I don't know this for certain, but I'm pretty sure the slots in the drip rail do not communicate with the interior of the car. That is, I believe any water entering the slots is channeled to the exterior, not the interior of the vehicle.

The MINI brand roof racks are pretty good - very solid - but I find them to be a royal PITA to install and remove. After scratching my roof trying to do it solo, I decided to just leave them on all the time. I can imagine putting them on and off maybe twice a year, but the thought of removing/reinstalling them once-per-week causes me a lot of anxiety.

 

Thanks. I do indeed have a set of these on order. The thing I'm wondering is while the rack is actually on, if you look at the inside of the rack where it goes into the slots in the roof, it is open and seems like a ton of water would get in there if you either A) washed your car or B) was in a big downpour rain storm. Either this is a HUGE design flaw or perhaps the water that gets in there funnels out somewhere safe.? Or maybe the the set up is solid enough that water doesn't really get in there, or very little?

 

Gosh I hope your right. Maybe the slots are only so deep, like not much bigger than the arm tabs that go into them.? Either way it seems like a design DOH!

I was very lucky with my OE rack install. I researched it a ton before my first install and it only took me I'd say 15 minutes to pop those suckers in. Granted I did buy them from a guy who had the exact same body style as mine and I didn't even have to adjust/loosen the alan screws under the bars. TIP: I did use fancy 9" Pipe Gripping Pliers (pic attached) to squeeze together the rack sides while tightening the racks nut.

 

Do you have a picture of the gap ?

 

Hi. Here are two pictures.

 

Looks very normal to me , from the size of those pics it a little hard to see anything wrong. But looks normal. When you remove the rack , does the blanks fill the gap and space all the way. The rain rail looks like its not blocked anyway.

 

Thanks. Sorry, not sure what you're referring to when you say 'the blanks'? Also, I have not yet removed the racks. Also, I have yet to receive the plugs kit.

 

Blanks = plug kits is what I meant . Ok, give it a try. Then post up. Looks like is trimmed correctly. Plug kit show fit good. Did not know if you got them already.

 

I think you're missing my concern. Sorry. Not to beat a dead horse here but what I'm after is this: The thing I'm wondering is while the rack is actually on, if you look at the inside of the rack where it goes into the slots in the roof, it is open and seems like a ton of water would get in there if you either A) washed your car or B) was in a big downpour rain storm. Either this is a HUGE design flaw or perhaps the water that gets in there funnels out somewhere safe.? Or maybe the set up is solid enough that water doesn't really get in there, or very little?

 

No problem , I see the gap, but its looks not that big from the pic and looks like the design. When you trim out the rail to fit the roof rack, that's how its designed. It looks very close to what I have seen on other racks. I know what you mean about the water getting in there, but if it was a problem everyone with a factory roof rack would be complaining. I think the water funnel out. If the new plugs fit perfect snug then the amount trimmed away was correct.

 

Thanks ECS! You're probably right, if it was a problem I'm sure others would have posted about it and from searching it doesn't appear as such. I'm confident I trimmed the slots according to spec and that the plugs will fit nicely. Thanks again for your feedback, I really appreciate it. Oh, and I just got a nice shipping confirmation email from you regarding the Roof Rack Removal System I purchased! Thanks again.

 

any photos of the front gap without bars? I’ve removed the perforated section at the front and found the gaps but the gap at the front is different to the back, it didn’t seem secure with the bars on and I can’t get the plugs in at the front?