I was at afirst apalled that the factory roof rack required drilling into the roof. Since then, I've noticed all the cars (we'll leave SUVs out of this) with factory "rail" type luggage rack-like things on their roofs, and frankly, I like the MINI option better. THOSE aren't removeable at ALL!

I don't take delivery for 2 months or so, so I can't go out and look, but it may be that it just isn't feasable to mount a roof rack any other way. I'm convincing myself.

Does anyone have this option installed? Does anyone have any photos other than the stock MINI accessoried photo with the red bike on it? I'd love to see a close up with the rack removed, and the covers on. Any further reports about leaking roofs? (Rooves? I don't think I've ever written down the plural of "roof" before...)

Thanks in advance as usual !

 

Drilling into the roof! :???: I wanted to have a rack to transport skies but I couldn't do it. I couldn't drill into the roof. The dealership didn't want me to do it either. They didn't like the option and talked me out of it when I asked how it was mounted. They are hoping that Thule or Yakima will come up with something. I was impressed that the dealership couldn't bring themselves to do it, they could have sold me on it but they wanted me to be happy with the car. If someone has had it done I would be interested to know how they like it and see some pictures too.

 

A Mini owner in SoCal Is a body shop Professor at a college and he has designed one that is fitted to the rails. He did not like drilling into the roof either, so he designed his own. It should be out fairly soon. His name is Einstien.

 

I have the dealer installed Mini roof rack. (British Racing Green, White top). I have to tell you I really like it. I use it along with the Mini bike rack. I have never removed it, so I can't send pics with just the caps on. To be honest with you, I like it so much that when I look at Minis without it, to me they look like something is missing. It adds something to the overall look without being too obtrusive.

The only draw back I can see, (I'm not aware of any water leaking in, and Lord knows I wash it enough) besides someone not liking the way it looks is the wind noise, which isn't too bad, but it is there.

By the way, the bike rack is well worth the money, it functions very well and is very easy to use.

 

I sort of assumed all along that I would get the dealer-installed roof rack on my MINI, since it was ostensibly removable, and since I occasionally like to transport a couple of friends and three frame packs on a camping trip, which doesn't seem to quite be possible with only half of the split rear seat down. I've always driven hatchbacks for their cargo capacity, so the roof rack was part of how I was able to justify to myself buying this car.

But now I don't know. I assume that the MINI can be taken back anytime for the rack-installing surgery, so I'm not going to get it right now. The idea of punching holes in the roof seems a bit too barbaric for such a beautiful car. I think I'll wait it out for a year or two and see what else becomes available.

I, too, would really like to see some pics with the rack removed and the plastic caps in place. I can't imagine that it looks all that great, but then again I also didn't think pepper white would be anything interesting until I saw it on the showroom floor with the black roof - nice.

 

Beware!!! :smile: Mini will get a detailed letter from this one..... Jet Black M w/black roof, Premium, Sport,Cold,Auto, and love it.....

 

Does anyone know where there are pictures of the roof rack. I have not seen any of it on the car.

 

I got the rack installed by the dealer at the time of delivery and LOVE IT! It does look awsome when in place. I got iit for skiing ans snowboarding, but anticipate getting the closed cargo container also for those long trips. The only issue I have is that the caps (actually very unobtrusive) are just slid on, and I've had one disappear already. I have to call the dealer tomorrow. I think I'll try to get four extras... just to be on the safe side! Sorry no pictures yet.

 

>>I have the dealer installed Mini roof rack. (British Racing Green, White top).

Could you post pictures of it? The Stock Press photos don't show much as far as close-ups.

 

photos photos!! puh_leaze!!

 

found a set of pictures

cached version of page on google

 

Excellent! Thank you!!

 

Here's a photo of my mini at the dealership. It has a dealer installed rack. Looks great (IMHO) doesn't leak. The only critique I'd give is increased noise from the turbulence when the sunroof is open. Strangely when I put the bike racks on (not shown), the noise diminished...

 

Had roof rack put on before i picked up my Mini dealer did a great job, I love the way it looks. I took it off once to see how hard it was and found it was easier than any rack I've done (VW, Barcrafter, even Thule).

 

Found a fellow MCS driver that had the rack installed. He kind of warned me that the dealer screwed up the first few guys before doing his job competantly. As timd goes by, I will consider this, but right now I'm a bit gunshy.

 

A body shop professor named Einstein! :evil: Just look at it - it looks like a 1950's George Nelson cantilevered coffee table! The car has the wheels pushed all the way to the corners, all curves and smooth surfaces. The rack sits on angular, upright black legs that are too close together, with silver anodized cross bars and big clunky hardware hanging over front & back - it looks like it was ripped off a Jetta and plunked on the MINI. I'll post some sketches soon - I'd like to hear what others think!