BMW Roof Rack alignment

AndyW · 08-13-2017, 11:26 PM

So I got a roof rack and fitted it up today. Seems nice and sturdy. Paid attention to the directions (there's a front and back rack, etc). The front rack required me to loosen the 4 bolts to allow the end pillars to line up to their bolt holes and the rack bolts were still accessible to tighten, but for the rear, no matter what I seem to do, it will leave one (of the 4) blocked by the rack framing (there are two "long" holes on each end to allow access to those bolts). Very strange. Anyone else experienced this? Am I doing something wrong? I'll take some pics tomorrow night if this doesn't make sense. Thx.

dandandan · 08-14-2017, 10:44 AM

I bought a rack that was designed for the E90 and I had exactly the same problem you have described.

I always assumed this last bolt was blacked due to the rack size difference between the E82.

I ended up carefully drilling the aluminum section to make the longer hole bigger to access the last bolt.

The rear bar is slightly longer. It's possible the E82 rack is identical.

Just drill it carefully and you'll be in good shape.

AndyW · 08-14-2017, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandandan

I bought a rack that was designed for the E90 and I had exactly the same problem you have described.

I always assumed this last bolt was blacked due to the rack size difference between the E82.

I ended up carefully drilling the aluminum section to make the longer hole bigger to access the last bolt.

The rear bar is slightly longer. It's possible the E82 rack is identical.

Just drill it carefully and you'll be in good shape.

Thx. They are definitely marked "E82". I'll try again tonight. Maybe I'm just not holding my mouth right!

AndyW · 08-14-2017, 09:15 PM

Still no joy. Gonna see if I can just return the rear...maybe a manufacturing error? These are definitely E82.

ShocknAwe · 08-15-2017, 07:13 AM

No such issue with mine. Sounds like you have a mislabeled rear rack.

Tommm · 08-15-2017, 01:57 PM

i had a similar problem when i put a BMW rack on my Astra. I used a jigsaw to cut the hole a little bigger. I wouldn't do that with a new rack. Mine was laying around, and the feet for the Astra are the same as BMW feet.

AndyW · 08-15-2017, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

No such issue with mine. Sounds like you have a mislabeled rear rack.

Yeah, the company said return it and they would swap it out.

AndyW · 09-09-2017, 12:17 AM

Replacement fit fine.

zx10guy · 09-09-2017, 07:20 AM

Where did you get it from? Been kicking around the idea of getting a roof rack.

AndyW · 09-09-2017, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Where did you get it from? Been kicking around the idea of getting a roof rack.

Amazon, but the vendor was BMW of San Francisco. Price has gone up $30 since I got mine, tho...

PDXE82 · 09-09-2017, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Where did you get it from? Been kicking around the idea of getting a roof rack.

Might want to check at BMW of South Atlanta too. I found they had the lowest prices on genuine BMW parts recently when I had to replace both headlight assemblies and control modules.

https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...rimLevel=11840

Looks like Tischer is even cheaper...

https://www.getbmwparts.com/partloca...catalogid=4894

AndyW · 09-09-2017, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXE82

Might want to check at BMW of South Atlanta too. I found they had the lowest prices on genuine BMW parts recently when I had to replace both headlight assemblies and control modules.

https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...rimLevel=11840

Looks like Tischer is even cheaper...

https://www.getbmwparts.com/partloca...catalogid=4894

Yeah, I paid $190.

Matticus91 · 09-11-2017, 10:19 AM

To follow up on this for anyone searching - E82 roof racks are identical fit and are interchangeable front/rear. The rear rack for E90's is a little different than the front and will not fit the E82.

There should be no adjustment needed for E82 racks - it should plop right in and bolt up without any fiddling.

Suprgnat · 09-11-2017, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matticus91

To follow up on this for anyone searching - E82 roof racks are identical fit and are interchangeable front/rear.

No, they are not.

Matticus91 · 09-11-2017, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

No, they are not.

LOL, well then I was given the wrong items or there's different versions available because mine are exactly the same and I've had them in both positions....

02Pilot · 09-12-2017, 06:07 AM

Make sure you get the small plastic inserts for the roof mounting points and install them properly, otherwise the rear bar will not sit parallel with the body (nor the front bar).

On mine the front bar has small aero tabs underneath, but seems to be the same as the rear in all other respects.

AndyW · 09-12-2017, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02Pilot

On mine the front bar has small aero tabs underneath, but seems to be the same as the rear in all other respects.

Now my OCD requires me to measure them when I get back home...

08-13-2017, 11:26 PM	#1
AndyW Supreme Galactic Commander (one galaxy over...) 668 Rep 1,777 Posts Drives: '08 E93, '12 E82, '13 E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Washington, USA iTrader: (5)	BMW Roof Rack alignment So I got a roof rack and fitted it up today. Seems nice and sturdy. Paid attention to the directions (there's a front and back rack, etc). The front rack required me to loosen the 4 bolts to allow the end pillars to line up to their bolt holes and the rack bolts were still accessible to tighten, but for the rear, no matter what I seem to do, it will leave one (of the 4) blocked by the rack framing (there are two "long" holes on each end to allow access to those bolts). Very strange. Anyone else experienced this? Am I doing something wrong? I'll take some pics tomorrow night if this doesn't make sense. Thx. __________________ Best, Andy '12 E82-PS2,Stoptechs,Clubsports+M3 bits,Accusump,Wagner DP+EVO III FMIC,ERCP,BMS Intake,Mason Strut Bar,Wedge Tune
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08-14-2017, 10:44 AM	#2
dandandan Second Lieutenant 102 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2012 135i N55 DCT Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (1)	I bought a rack that was designed for the E90 and I had exactly the same problem you have described. I always assumed this last bolt was blacked due to the rack size difference between the E82. I ended up carefully drilling the aluminum section to make the longer hole bigger to access the last bolt. The rear bar is slightly longer. It's possible the E82 rack is identical. Just drill it carefully and you'll be in good shape.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-14-2017, 09:15 PM	#4
AndyW Supreme Galactic Commander (one galaxy over...) 668 Rep 1,777 Posts Drives: '08 E93, '12 E82, '13 E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Washington, USA iTrader: (5)	Still no joy. Gonna see if I can just return the rear...maybe a manufacturing error? These are definitely E82. __________________ Best, Andy '12 E82-PS2,Stoptechs,Clubsports+M3 bits,Accusump,Wagner DP+EVO III FMIC,ERCP,BMS Intake,Mason Strut Bar,Wedge Tune
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08-15-2017, 07:13 AM	#5
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,893 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	No such issue with mine. Sounds like you have a mislabeled rear rack. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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08-15-2017, 01:57 PM	#6
Tommm Driven Crazy 190 Rep 505 Posts Drives: his wife nuts 128i 6m Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: The Mile High iTrader: (1)	i had a similar problem when i put a BMW rack on my Astra. I used a jigsaw to cut the hole a little bigger. I wouldn't do that with a new rack. Mine was laying around, and the feet for the Astra are the same as BMW feet. __________________ '08 128i 6M
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09-09-2017, 12:17 AM	#8
AndyW Supreme Galactic Commander (one galaxy over...) 668 Rep 1,777 Posts Drives: '08 E93, '12 E82, '13 E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Washington, USA iTrader: (5)	Replacement fit fine. __________________ Best, Andy '12 E82-PS2,Stoptechs,Clubsports+M3 bits,Accusump,Wagner DP+EVO III FMIC,ERCP,BMS Intake,Mason Strut Bar,Wedge Tune
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09-11-2017, 10:19 AM	#13
Matticus91 Brigadier General 3475 Rep 3,722 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	To follow up on this for anyone searching - E82 roof racks are identical fit and are interchangeable front/rear. The rear rack for E90's is a little different than the front and will not fit the E82. There should be no adjustment needed for E82 racks - it should plop right in and bolt up without any fiddling. __________________ "Tobias" 2013 135i ///M-Sport 6MT • Pure Stage 1 • XDI 35 HPFP • 404whp/440wtq IG: msteelio91
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09-12-2017, 06:07 AM	#16
02Pilot Malcontent 188 Rep 305 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Make sure you get the small plastic inserts for the roof mounting points and install them properly, otherwise the rear bar will not sit parallel with the body (nor the front bar). On mine the front bar has small aero tabs underneath, but seems to be the same as the rear in all other respects.
	Appreciate 0 Quote