Coupe Roof Bars dont fit/Bad fit ??

CharlieHighnett · 02-19-2008, 12:04 PM

Yeah i know i dont want to put roof bars on my coupe either but im not putting my muddy bike in the back and i think that roof mount will give me the least amount of scratches!

Ok.. so i bought the "Thule" roof bars suitable for the coupe and some bike proriders things for the bike.

The bolt that screws into the roof is very tight.. could be from overspray but having never fitted one before i dont want to go to hard and end up cross threading it.

BMW says "They dont fit coz theyre not BMW"

Thule says "They fit everyone else's weve sold thousands"

Who is right ? Or any experience with roof racks ?

Thanks

Charlie

120d SE, Cruise control, Hifi Speakers, Montego Blue

larryn · 02-19-2008, 12:09 PM

Have you thought of the BMW rack?

CharlieHighnett · 02-19-2008, 12:14 PM

Yeah, but you need the tow bar for that one.. i think its like a 1,000 for retro fit according to the unhelpfull guy at BMW

john970 · 02-19-2008, 12:20 PM

Yeah I thought that was only available on the 128 as it requires a tow bar?

I'd get one of the baby carrier looking things, they are easier to get off. I don't plan on having one on my car all the time.

http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=36

If I were to have a roof rack, I'd get the BMW factory crossbars along with this fork mount:

www.rockeymounts.com

well the site is down now but they have a euro style fork mount that attaches to the grooves in the BMW rack.

CharlieHighnett · 02-19-2008, 12:30 PM

I have to admit im beginning to think that i will change to one of those strap on the back things.. but i dont think they're quite as stable and i feel sure that the little clips things and constant rubbing will damage the paintwork.

Oh and you cant get in the boot once youve put the bikes on

The BMW roof bars look very square in the catalogue, and the ones i have have a nice oval shape to them.

If anyone has screwed the BMW ones into the roof.. Did you have any problems with it sticking ? due to overspray or swarf ?

Im becomming disheartened.. maybe i should keep my old car as my "Bike Car" ?!!!

john970 · 02-19-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieHighnett

I have to admit im beginning to think that i will change to one of those strap on the back things.. but i dont think they're quite as stable and i feel sure that the little clips things and constant rubbing will damage the paintwork.

Oh and you cant get in the boot once youve put the bikes on

The BMW roof bars look very square in the catalogue, and the ones i have have a nice oval shape to them.

If anyone has screwed the BMW ones into the roof.. Did you have any problems with it sticking ? due to overspray or swarf ?

Im becomming disheartened.. maybe i should keep my old car as my "Bike Car" ?!!!

A friend has an 08 impreza with factory bars that screw into factory holes under the little plastic covers and it fits perfect - much better than the thule and yakima mounts do and they don't smash your weather stripping.

the bike mounts work fine and I've never heard of them scratching paint. If you get a rear bike mount with the anti-sway blocks it's pretty rock solid and they are out of the wind (mostly).

The main reason to get a roof fork mount is so you can lock your bike and leave the rack on all summer (or all year as so many people do here). I think they also look better, but not as good as a car with a rear mount that isn't attached (haha)

Madjack · 02-19-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieHighnett

Yeah i know i dont want to put roof bars on my coupe either but im not putting my muddy bike in the back and i think that roof mount will give me the least amount of scratches!

Ok.. so i bought the "Thule" roof bars suitable for the coupe and some bike proriders things for the bike.

The bolt that screws into the roof is very tight.. could be from overspray but having never fitted one before i dont want to go to hard and end up cross threading it.

BMW says "They dont fit coz theyre not BMW"

Thule says "They fit everyone else's weve sold thousands"

Who is right ? Or any experience with roof racks ?

Thanks

Charlie

120d SE, Cruise control, Hifi Speakers, Montego Blue

You probably need to clean out the threads and it will fit fine. If Thule/Yakima is selling mounts for this car, they have test fit them already. I have owned several Yakima racks and they have all fit perfect.

CharlieHighnett · 02-19-2008, 02:27 PM

Right well.. i just went for it and although they were stiff all the way, the bolts went in.

Im pretty sure that they must be the right bolts and that the nut inserts are coated with paint on the inside, which made them hard to start.

Fingers crossed that i havnt cross threaded them and they fail on the motorway !!!

Charlie

02-19-2008, 12:04 PM	#1
CharlieHighnett Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Coupe Roof Bars dont fit/Bad fit ?? Yeah i know i dont want to put roof bars on my coupe either but im not putting my muddy bike in the back and i think that roof mount will give me the least amount of scratches! Ok.. so i bought the "Thule" roof bars suitable for the coupe and some bike proriders things for the bike. The bolt that screws into the roof is very tight.. could be from overspray but having never fitted one before i dont want to go to hard and end up cross threading it. BMW says "They dont fit coz theyre not BMW" Thule says "They fit everyone else's weve sold thousands" Who is right ? Or any experience with roof racks ? Thanks Charlie 120d SE, Cruise control, Hifi Speakers, Montego Blue
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02-19-2008, 12:09 PM	#2
larryn Lieutenant General 2148 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Have you thought of the BMW rack?
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02-19-2008, 12:14 PM	#3
CharlieHighnett Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Yeah, but you need the tow bar for that one.. i think its like a 1,000 for retro fit according to the unhelpfull guy at BMW
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02-19-2008, 12:20 PM	#4
john970 1er 73 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: 08 135 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	Yeah I thought that was only available on the 128 as it requires a tow bar? I'd get one of the baby carrier looking things, they are easier to get off. I don't plan on having one on my car all the time. http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=36 If I were to have a roof rack, I'd get the BMW factory crossbars along with this fork mount: www.rockeymounts.com well the site is down now but they have a euro style fork mount that attaches to the grooves in the BMW rack.
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02-19-2008, 12:30 PM	#5
CharlieHighnett Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	I have to admit im beginning to think that i will change to one of those strap on the back things.. but i dont think they're quite as stable and i feel sure that the little clips things and constant rubbing will damage the paintwork. Oh and you cant get in the boot once youve put the bikes on The BMW roof bars look very square in the catalogue, and the ones i have have a nice oval shape to them. If anyone has screwed the BMW ones into the roof.. Did you have any problems with it sticking ? due to overspray or swarf ? Im becomming disheartened.. maybe i should keep my old car as my "Bike Car" ?!!!
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02-19-2008, 02:27 PM	#8
CharlieHighnett Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Right well.. i just went for it and although they were stiff all the way, the bolts went in. Im pretty sure that they must be the right bolts and that the nut inserts are coated with paint on the inside, which made them hard to start. Fingers crossed that i havnt cross threaded them and they fail on the motorway !!! Charlie
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