BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-25-2012, 10:10 PM   #1
CaliRubicon
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern California

iTrader: (0)

Yakima on BMW rails?

Has anyone tried the Yakima system on the BMW roof rail? Any conversion issues? I would hate to start over as I have a nice collection of Yakima. Thanks for your input.
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2012, 06:35 AM   #2
Markap
Private First Class
United_States
18
Rep
121
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 2.8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I'm in the same boat (literally, got the Yakima kayak stacker and cradles, rocket box, ski carrier etc.)

So far, there is no compatible "Rail Grab" tower for the flush rails. I emailed Yakima and was told one might be available in the future. No estimated date.

I think I can make the Rocket Box work and possibly the ski carrier but not the boat items as they wrap around the bar.

I'll probably keep pestering Yakima.....
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2012, 09:24 AM   #3
CaliRubicon
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern California

iTrader: (0)

Thanks. I have called Yakima as well. If everybody with this problem calls maybe they will speed up development. 888-925-4621.
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2012, 12:04 PM   #4
MetaX
Second Lieutenant
105
Rep
252
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3MC
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

I was a little surprised that after the first model year of our gen X3 Yakima still hasn't released a rail grab in either their round bars or Whispbar form. The shape doesn't seem very different than other flush-mounted rails I've seen in other cars so why Yakima hasn't yet made a fit kit for it perplexes me. Ended up mounting the Thule Aeroblades instead and mounted my Yakima Fatcats to them. The fit is a little odd due to the pronounced wing-shape but still secure.
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2012, 06:51 PM   #5
CaliRubicon
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern California

iTrader: (0)

That's what I have come to as a remedy. Seems that all my Yakima stuff fits Thule towers and bars. Anyone know if we are stuck with square bars or can get something more aerodynamic.
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2012, 06:53 PM   #6
CaliRubicon
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern California

iTrader: (0)

Oh and MetaX what towers are you using? And how is the sound/vibration on the Thule blades?
Appreciate 0
      02-29-2012, 07:00 PM   #7
MetaX
Second Lieutenant
105
Rep
252
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3MC
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliRubicon View Post
Oh and MetaX what towers are you using? And how is the sound/vibration on the Thule blades?
I just used the towers that Thule's FitGuide recommended which were the 460R Rapid Podium towers & model-specific fit kit (KIT4023). Thule made a smart move by making the Aeroblades work perfectly with their existing foot packs (feet?) so all they needed to do was continue updating their fit kits.

I don't think I've ever noticed any noise or vibration coming from the blades, but then again I never did a before/after comparison with the shade (the shade blocks out a surprising amount of noise) or sunroof open. I currently have my FatCats on there and those clearly are responsible for all the wind noise that I can hear coming from the roof. I'm pretty confident that once I take the FatCats off at the end of snowboarding season the noise will be imperceptible again.
Appreciate 0
      03-12-2012, 04:10 PM   #8
rexicon
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tarpon Springs FL

iTrader: (0)

Same boat here. Has anyone checked out the Yakima railgrab for Audi?

Here's a link to them on etrailer. My wife is driving the X3 today or I would go down into the garage and compare the profile of the rails.

http://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Rack/Ya...-Y8880201.html
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 02:00 PM   #9
jbartos54
Registered
0
Rep
3
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Houston Texas

iTrader: (0)

Yakima

I recently talked with Yakima and they suggested they were looking at Fall at the earliest and their solution would fit on the doors and not the rails. I have been using yakima products mostly for canoeing and kayaking since the mid 80's and really like their stuff.
This solution is unacceptable, so I went with Thule square bars. Very tight and secure on the rails. A bit of hum at times, but what can you expect.
The X3 is my secondary vehicle for paddling but I think it will work fine. Looks cool also, IMO.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 09:36 PM   #10
CaliRubicon
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern California

iTrader: (0)

That's what I'm leaning towards doing. I think all of my Yakima products will work on square bars so at least I won't have to replace everything. That's is more info then I got from Yakima. Did they say how they would mount to the doors? That sounds odd.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 10:17 PM   #11
jbartos54
Registered
0
Rep
3
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Houston Texas

iTrader: (0)

Yes they are planning on using the towers with clips to fit inside the doors. At least that is what they told me. That works okay on some vehicles but we have a nice roof rail and I guess Thule is the way to go. Most of the recent yakima components (canoe brackets, kayak cradles and stackers) have clips which can fit on square bars after pulling out a part of the clip.
I also put nylon straps under the hood attached to bolts for front tie downs. I found other bolts in the rear to attach another nylon strap for a stern tie-down.
Appreciate 0
      03-15-2012, 01:21 AM   #12
KF
Enlisted Member
7
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: X3 30D
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Roof Bars for X3

Hi All

Researching this topic myself.

BMW has a roof bar that can carry 75 kilograms. The Thule is only rated for 50 kilograms. The BMW ones are 50% dearer and look like they are also made by Thule.

The BMW roof rack is identical to the Thule but have deleted the Thule name!!?

The Thule / BMW bars are the only ones that I can find that fit the flush roof rails, other brands all have to clamp down into the door opening.
Appreciate 0
      03-15-2012, 04:08 AM   #13
khaiql
New Member
Australia
1
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: X3 2012 30D
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia

iTrader: (0)

To KF,

Have you noticed that the international Thule website has the aero bars rated at 100KG but the Aussie website for the same bars is rated at 50KG (as you pointed out). I was going to ask a roof rack specialist to confirm when I get delivery of my X3 in 6 weeks.

Otherwise, I stumbled across Rhino that have "sports" roof racks that are capable of 100KG and work with Thule roof boxes but these would be my second choice.
Appreciate 0
      03-15-2012, 11:57 AM   #14
MetaX
Second Lieutenant
105
Rep
252
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3MC
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KF View Post
Hi All

Researching this topic myself.

BMW has a roof bar that can carry 75 kilograms. The Thule is only rated for 50 kilograms. The BMW ones are 50% dearer and look like they are also made by Thule.

The BMW roof rack is identical to the Thule but have deleted the Thule name!!?

The Thule / BMW bars are the only ones that I can find that fit the flush roof rails, other brands all have to clamp down into the door opening.
Probably the biggest difference between the BMW and Thule racks is that you can get the Thule with their new Aerobars which have completely supplanted their previous aero offering (I think they were called Rapid Aero). They're bound to be quieter than the Rapid Aero or BMW bars and certainly are quieter than the square ones.

I would think that the load restrictions are a function of the towers rather than the bars themselves. The aluminum extrusion profile of the Aerobars look quite robust and appear to be able to handle a massive load.
Appreciate 0
      03-15-2012, 09:36 PM   #15
jbartos54
Registered
0
Rep
3
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Houston Texas

iTrader: (0)

Just to let you know, I don't think canoe brackets work with the aero bars. That's why I ended up with square.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 09:58 AM   #16
CaliRubicon
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern California

iTrader: (0)

Update. Yakima will be producing a set for the x3 that fits inside of doors. Not sure when. With a mighty mount conversion all Yakima should fit on Thule aero blade system. The aero blade and the BMW stock system seem very similar so the mighty mounts should fit both. Etrailer has the Thule system for $372. BMW of towson on amazon has the BMW stock system for $229. So unless anyone can think of a reason why the Thule is a better value it would seem that BMW wins the day. Hope this helps everyone.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 02:16 PM   #17
voerman
Member
United_States
4
Rep
99
Posts

Drives: '19 530e
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliRubicon View Post
Update. Yakima will be producing a set for the x3 that fits inside of doors. Not sure when. With a mighty mount conversion all Yakima should fit on Thule aero blade system. The aero blade and the BMW stock system seem very similar so the mighty mounts should fit both. Etrailer has the Thule system for $372. BMW of towson on amazon has the BMW stock system for $229. So unless anyone can think of a reason why the Thule is a better value it would seem that BMW wins the day. Hope this helps everyone.
The Thule crossbars extend past the mounting towers whereas the BMW crossbars end at the towers. If you do not need the additional mounting space, no problem. I needed to carry two kayaks in saddles and the BMW racks did not have enough span, the Thule racks work very well.

Lou
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 09:14 PM   #18
jk
Private First Class
2
Rep
114
Posts

Drives: '12 x3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

any problems using the thule rack above the sunroof on the 35i?
Appreciate 0
      04-07-2012, 09:02 AM   #19
thrasher-b
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: 2016 X5 xDrive 35i
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Washington DC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2012 BMW X3 28i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by jk View Post
any problems using the thule rack above the sunroof on the 35i?
Nope. Works great using the Thule Aeroblades with the xAdapt9 kit so that the carriers are flush mounted.



Appreciate 0
      04-09-2012, 06:16 AM   #20
ctlyankee
Registered
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: 2013 x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Question on mounts and size

Quote:
Originally Posted by voerman View Post
The Thule crossbars extend past the mounting towers whereas the BMW crossbars end at the towers. If you do not need the additional mounting space, no problem. I needed to carry two kayaks in saddles and the BMW racks did not have enough span, the Thule racks work very well.

Lou
I too, have 2 kayaks that I would like to carry using my saddles. The 2013 X3 I ordered will have the side rails. What adapters and size cross bars are you using. My kayaks are flat water kayaks - one is 23" wide and the other 25" wide.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:22 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST