We have a 2009 S and got the roof rack with it.

I've taken the rack off each winter and put it back on each summer, so a total of 5-6 on/off cycles.

Although I like the mechanical camming design the rack 'towers' use to attach to the body of the car, I've always thought that the human design part of is was either some sort of internship or student design competition gone bad, or a giant middle finger from a disgruntled engineer to the Mini community.

Anyway, when putting the rack on this year, I seem to have stripped the brass nuts in the front 'towers'. That was using the plastic torque wrench that came with the kit, but without any deflection in the wrench (i.e. not achieving the desired torque). So I don't think they should have failed.

Before I buy a replacement rack, I wondered whether anyone knows if Mini has updated this crappy design. (& also if anyone has looked for individual rack parts, so I don't have to buy a whole replacement rack kit)

Thanks,
Heath

 

Bump. I bought a second hand rack and one of the square nuts was missing. Really annoying.

 

Can you the stripped nut off the rack? If you can, ECS has those brass nuts for sale...
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/82792354857/