What exactly is the deal with the factory "bike rack prep?"
 

So from everything I have read, people say the "factory bike rack prep" is just the two plugs in the rear bumper which you undo to insert the Mini bike rack into. I am sure everyone is familiar with how that bike rack is not the best based on user reviews.

Now, I was just on MiniUSA.com and saw this standard option while building a Countryman. Take a look at the photo. It looks like a tow hitch to me, but when I called a couple of dealers to confirm, no one knew what it was. They all kept telling me the "bike rack prep" is the two holes in the bumper despite me telling them it shows a different thing on Miniusa.com.

Anyway, does anyone have a definitive answer on this? Is it new thing for 2013s?

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7at62943PM.png

The photo looks like the Euro-available tow bar. 2011-2012 US CMs have the two holes. No idea about the 2013's.

I love my MINI bike rack that bolts into the two holes. Works great!

The covers on your bumper for towing pop out and the OEM bike rack screws in. I have one and really like it. Email me if you want pictures

Debating getting one and this video makes it look pretty easy to get on and off - at the same time I agree with the OP; when you build it online, it looks like a tow hitch, so I was hoping I could look at other options like Thule.

That picture is of the UK version. See the info from the UK website.

Attachment 171315

pictures of OEM Bike Rack Installed
 

tow covers pop out and the threaded attach points are screwed in with a hex wrench. Very stable

Check this out

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/mini-countr...l#.UD_9AdaPXwo

Do you know if this one folds when not in use? I am almost getting one too!

Nope, the Mini rack doesn't fold, but then taking it off is two minutes at most - actually quicker for you guys as I think the North American version comes without the extra rear lights that the Yurpeen version has.

Pressing a button on the rear of the rack releases it so it can slide backwards (and a bit downwards) so that the rear hatch can be opened even when bikes are loaded.

So, I have this. It's solid, and works great for towing pretty much whatever I can pull.

http://www.coopercrap.com/countryman-hitch/

Lots of photos on the site. Takes a minute to put on and take off.

I've been on the fence about using either the Coopercrap one (my previous MINIs I installed the minidomore concealed hitch; this time I wanted a less-invasive solution, though I LOVED that system)... or return to roof rack.
I've been leaning towards the roof rack, simply because I like the idea of always having at least one bike tray on there. I keep getting picked up by my wife/kids from work because they want to do something, and I end up leaving the bike at work, and have to plan for getting it back the next day, all because we don't leave the rear rack on on a regular basis.

The Coopercrap hitch looks very savvy. Seems like it might stick out a bit far, but otherwise. Do you ever leave it on, with the bike rack itself removed? Is it a tripping hazard?

Ok.

We are talking about two different MINI CM accessories: the Detatchable Towbar and the Bike Rack. The Bike Rack uses the attachment points in the bumper as shown in the first video. The Detachable Towbar connects to a frame that is attached to the underside of the CM's rear (and has to be installed at the dealer). You'll note in the picture of the Detachable Towbar in post #5 that the knockouts for attaching the Bike Rack can clearly be seen and are unused.

AFAIK, the Detachable Towbar is a "rebranded" Westfalia model. Also note that both the MINI, Westfalia and CooperCrap towing rigs are limited to 1,000 lbs towing weight. If you need to tow something heavier, you might want to look at the Mini-Fini CountryLink hitch (300 lbs tongue, 3,500 lbs tow -- full ClassII) or the Mini Do More hidden hitch (200 lbs tongue, 2,000 lbs tow).

I realize the OP was interested in bike racks, but I though I'd add my $0.02 to clarify the difference between the two MINI accessories.

I would say it sticks out a little and i'd recommend a deadblow in case it gets stuck but it works great and can stay on the car if needed. I have mine turned upside down so that it clears the wheels of the larger bikes on the rack.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13819674/DSCN0354.JPG
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13819674/DSCN0353.JPG
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13819674/DSCN0352.JPG

Oh, and yes, it clears the hatch when in this position. It's close but it does clear.

That's a neat idea. I ended up going with a regular hitch installation using MiniFini since it's well hidden.

http://imgur.com/GeUs7gR
http://imgur.com/0Wfkmjx

Does that cause any issues with the warranty? If anything goes wrong will they say it was because you were towing things?

I don't know, but I doubt it. Most U-Haul centers in the USA install tow hitches on almost any make/model car out there. In any case, I just use it to use a rear bike rack, so I'm not really towing with it.

not true the picture at the beginning of this thread is from the US Configurator, and it's the same for the paceman. I'm a little confused, I'd prefer a hitch since I can choose a rack then, rather than being locked into their rack.

great photos. I love that you can invert it...

Yeah, I had to flip it up because I had a bike with really large wheels and flipped down, the tires could hit the ground. Inverting it solved the problem with plenty of room to spare.

Does the STD bike prep only work with the MINI OEM hitch/rack?