[Markap]

As we all know, the BMW OEM roof racks are total garbage. Mine lasted one year.... I've been looking at the Thules since Yakama so far has decided to not support our vehicle.

What are the model numbers needed from Thule to work with the flush mount rails? Do they even attach to the rails or just sit on the roof with door clips?

Thanks,

Mark

[ponti33609]

Check out this thread I added.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=793890

I am very happy withy Thule solution.

[Nahoa]

We have a Mini OEM rack (on the Mini, of course) for two bikes and it's great. Had figured the Mini rack was a modified BMW rack and was considering getting one for the X3 (an X3 version). With the Mini version the operation is excellent and we like how it fits the dimensions of the vehicle perfectly -- no extra bar, etc. It's also very quiet. What's crappy about the BMW racks?

[Markap]

Thanks. Perfect!!

[Markap]

Which fit kit is required?

[ponti33609]

Thule 4023

[UKMS]

Originally Posted by Markap

As we all know, the BMW OEM roof racks are total garbage. Mine lasted one year.... ..........

Thanks,

Mark

Its interesting that as far as I know BMW bars, bike racks, baskets etc are made by Thule

MS

[Markap]

It might be made by Thule but if so, not up to their standards. Mine is broken and apparently not user repairable. Really stupid design. Also very disappointed Yakima doesn't make a bracket for this car. I have a bunch of their stuff

[ponti33609]

Originally Posted by Markap

It might be made by Thule but if so, not up to their standards. Mine is broken and apparently not user repairable. Really stupid design. Also very disappointed Yakima doesn't make a bracket for this car. I have a bunch of their stuff

Me too but nearly all of Yakima items fit on Thule and vise versa.

[ReturnZero]

Strange, I have the OEM racks and think they're quite nice. What broke? I hate how the aftermarket racks stick off the sides. If I had to have aftermarket I'd probably skip the rack altogether.

[UKMS]

Originally Posted by Markap

It might be made by Thule but if so, not up to their standards. Mine is broken and apparently not user repairable. Really stupid design. Also very disappointed Yakima doesn't make a bracket for this car. I have a bunch of their stuff

Can you explain what has broken ? ..... saying that something is 'total garbage' and 'really stupid design' is quite sweeping ...... Ive used OEM racks (made by Thule) on both BMW and MB and I have always been happy with them. Im just about to order the OEM rack for my new X3 but would be interested in what went wrong for you before I do.

Thanks

MS

[Markap]

Sure. The levers on one side of each rack turn without tightening or loosening. The other side on each do work BUT if you loosen too far the end screw comes off and there is no way to disassemble the end cap to repair. It's held in a slot by two pins which were punched in after initial assembly and there is not enough clearance to punch them through to effect a repair. Totally unrepairable design which I fully characterize as stupid.

[ponti33609]

Originally Posted by Markap

Sure. The levers on one side of each rack turn without tightening or loosening. The other side on each do work BUT if you loosen too far the end screw comes off and there is no way to disassemble the end cap to repair. It's held in a slot by two pins which were punched in after initial assembly and there is not enough clearance to punch them through to effect a repair. Totally unrepairable design which I fully characterize as stupid.

I have heard this too about the OEM and perhaps built them from BMW specs. Additionally, I do not think it looks horrible sitting on the factory rail. I would rather it raised than sitting on the paint although the design could be better.

[ponti33609]

[UKMS]

Originally Posted by Markap

Sure. The levers on one side of each rack turn without tightening or loosening. The other side on each do work BUT if you loosen too far the end screw comes off and there is no way to disassemble the end cap to repair. It's held in a slot by two pins which were punched in after initial assembly and there is not enough clearance to punch them through to effect a repair. Totally unrepairable design which I fully characterize as stupid.

Good to know ! ..... Id be tempted to return it to BMW with such an obvious design flaw !

MS

[Nahoa]

Originally Posted by Markap

Sure. The levers on one side of each rack turn without tightening or loosening. The other side on each do work BUT if you loosen too far the end screw comes off and there is no way to disassemble the end cap to repair. It's held in a slot by two pins which were punched in after initial assembly and there is not enough clearance to punch them through to effect a repair. Totally unrepairable design which I fully characterize as stupid.

Wasn't installed properly. When installing the "bottoms" of those levers need to be held until they tighten up into the "grip zone".

[JensM]

I think you must be something wrong then if finding the OEM racks 'crappy'
When I had the F25, I also bought via BMW. It took app one hour the first time due to adjusting etc but this is a one for all job. Since then it have taken me less than 5 minutes to add to the car and the same to take off again.
When they are on the car, they do not influence driving or make extra noise.
I am also 99% sure that Thule is the manufacturer of the BMW OEM racks

This is my experience
JensM

[Markap]

Glad you are having a good experience with them. I think you are in the minority. If you ever find a clicking noise while you try to tighten or loosen the feet, the nut at the other end of the adjustment lever is slipping against the bracket and is turning with the lever and not tightening or loosening anything. You will not be able to disassemble the rack to make any repairs. I have a 1 year old set to sell cheap to anyone that wants to try

[Markap]

Some good and some bad news.

The BMW roof racks are made by Thule - I dissassembled mine, removed the existing lock cores and was able to reuse them in my new Thule Rack (460 with 4023 adapters) so, I saved about $75 by reusing the lock cores. This is GREAT!!! (Also, I bought the racks used off Craigslist and saved another $100 or so)

The bad news, I was able to drill the aluminum bar to create relief holes for driving out the two pins and removing the end caps. However, they are still not repairable. The nut at the far end of the lever is rounding off as it slips against the metal extension of the "foot". The brass end piece seems to be held on firmly right up until it somehow pops off.

I had thought that I could remove the existing nut that is rounding off and replace it with a new, larger one. HOWEVER, if the brass piece is still on, it does not unscrew and I can't get it off. Worse, if I rotate the level (and screw ) in a counter clockwise direction, the nut & screw slips BUT, if I rotate it in a clockwise direction, the level turns but the screw and the nut DO NOT turn - this whole thing slips somewhere internally that is not apparent.

Now that I have the locks transferred to my Thule rack, the rest is going into the trash