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      03-17-2011, 04:29 PM   #1
RockyMntX35i
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X3 Roof Rack Base Support System Picts

Here's picts of X3 roof rack system. And Yakima Skybox attached.
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      03-17-2011, 04:54 PM   #2
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Very nice coverage on the details. Thanks for posting. Couple of questions.

1. How much they cost you, base support and the box
2. Did you do a DIY, looks like but just wanted to confirm, also if DIY roughly how much time do you think is needed.
3. Do you have any interior pictures of the box itself (if you don't mind sharing), just to get an idea of how much of cargo it can take.

Thanks for taking time to share this with the team.
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      03-17-2011, 05:27 PM   #3
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Looks great! I am looking forward to picking up a base system next week!
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      03-17-2011, 05:53 PM   #4
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Another question, while you're at it - How much adjustibility is there? Can you move them foward/back, and adjust the space between the two bases?

I ask because I have a Thule box that I used with a couple of MDX's and my '07 X3, and every time I buy a new car I have to drill more holes in the bottom of the thing because I can't change the space between the base supports. The only thing Acura changed between '01 and '04 on the MDX was the distance between the roof rack cross members, and they did it just to screw me!
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      03-17-2011, 09:18 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymk5 View Post
Very nice coverage on the details. Thanks for posting. Couple of questions.

1. How much they cost you, base support and the box
2. Did you do a DIY, looks like but just wanted to confirm, also if DIY roughly how much time do you think is needed.
3. Do you have any interior pictures of the box itself (if you don't mind sharing), just to get an idea of how much of cargo it can take.

Thanks for taking time to share this with the team.
I bought from a dealer off EBay, NIB, $186 plus shipping. (Use search term- X3 F25 Base Support System)

There is virtually no time involved in installing. . Approx 17 inches from front and additional 28 inches for the back. The base supports have a vinyl coated clamp that grab the rails at any length for/ aft. The clamps look like they will not leave any marks on the rails. I previously mounted the Yakima Skybox on a 4Runner and had experience with the tailgate hitting the Skybox. I was cautious when opening the tailgate the first time to make sure there was no unintentional contact made.

I'll take some pictures of Skybox when I get back to CO. (Still making my way back from home BMW Performance Delivery Center)
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      03-17-2011, 09:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by midlifecrisis View Post
Another question, while you're at it - How much adjustibility is there? Can you move them foward/back, and adjust the space between the two bases?

I ask because I have a Thule box that I used with a couple of MDX's and my '07 X3, and every time I buy a new car I have to drill more holes in the bottom of the thing because I can't change the space between the base supports. The only thing Acura changed between '01 and '04 on the MDX was the distance between the roof rack cross members, and they did it just to screw me!
I think you will be happy that you will not have to drill any more additional holes.

The base supports fit with extreme precision (width wise) and anywhere for/ aft on the rails. I had to vary slightly forward to make the box fit and not have the tailgate make contact.
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      03-17-2011, 09:32 PM   #7
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Linky for Skyboxpro
Capacity: 15 cu feet.

http://www.yakima.com/shop/cargo/sky...s/skybox-lopro
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      03-18-2011, 06:35 AM   #8
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No offense, but I hope I don't need one of those one day. I know it's as stylish and functional as possible, but it still looks like junk on the roof to me. If I needed the extra storage I may have opted for a bigger vehicle.
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      03-18-2011, 07:03 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkshaw View Post
No offense, but I hope I don't need one of those one day. I know it's as stylish and functional as possible, but it still looks like junk on the roof to me. If I needed the extra storage I may have opted for a bigger vehicle.
I think the boxes are a great solution for the small percentage of time most people need more room. I might need the room once or twice a year, like when I'm picking up kids at college. The rest of the time, I don't need to drive a hulking tank that isn't any fun to drive.

I'll bet a lot of people are in the same situation. Just think how much gas we'd save if half the people buying Tahoes and Suburbans bought X3s instead. (Not to mention the fact that they'd have a big smile on their face, too.)
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      07-26-2011, 09:17 AM   #10
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Follow-up question, in the photo showing the skybox attached to the BMW crossbars, the Yakima clamps do not seem to close around the crossbars completely. Is the skybox still attached securely?

I was trying to decide between the BMW topbox or the Yakima skybox.

BTW, your detailed photos really help. Thanks very much.
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      07-26-2011, 09:36 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue One View Post
Follow-up question, in the photo showing the skybox attached to the BMW crossbars, the Yakima clamps do not seem to close around the crossbars completely. Is the skybox still attached securely?

I was trying to decide between the BMW topbox or the Yakima skybox.

BTW, your detailed photos really help. Thanks very much.
I have the same question!

btw, nice pics.. thanks for sharing!
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      07-26-2011, 10:15 AM   #12
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Once you have the BMW support rails, is there any other hardware required other than what comes with the roof carrier? Or is it a generic mounting system once you have the crossbars intstalled?
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      07-28-2011, 08:54 AM   #13
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I just received a response from Yakima Customer Service Online and they said even though the clamp doesn't close completely around the BMW crossbar the skybox is securely attached. They wrote, "As long as you can grab and shake the box and it doesn't shift on the crossbars, then it is securely attached to the rack."

The clamp that attaches the Skybox to the BMW crossbar is built into the box itself. There is no additional mounting hardware required.
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      07-28-2011, 10:04 AM   #14
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Nice!!! Thanks for sharing. I can't wait for winter to hookup a snowboard rack.
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      07-28-2011, 09:29 PM   #15
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I have the Thule Boxter 611 on my X3 with the BMW crossbars (which I'm pretty sure are actually made by Thule). I will try to take a few pictures and post them here. I find it looks quite nice, for a box. I believe it has more internal capacity than the Yakima (18 cu ft), and also has no clearance issues with the tailgate. It's not cheap though, but then again, neither was the X3.
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      07-28-2011, 11:24 PM   #16
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Just drove 4000 mile trip with skybox. It worked great. No problems. Averaged 22.5mpg. Doing 70-75
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      07-29-2011, 09:59 AM   #17
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For those of us in Europe can I recommend Atera SIGNO bars.
Made in Germany, excellent quality and very good value.
Available from www.roofbox.co.uk

A good (and cheaper) alternative to BMW bars, and Thule. Sadly I've had to buy Thule bars as the Atera ones have sold out, such is the demand!
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      07-29-2011, 11:50 AM   #18
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Funny - I just started another thread without seeing this one of the Yakima Forklift system for the OEM bars. Here's a link in case anyone is interested in bike racks as well.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=565382

No, the Yakima clamps do not fully close around the bars, but I can assure you that they are secure after highway miles and the bumpy Chicago streets.
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      07-30-2011, 02:27 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RockyMntX35i View Post
Just drove 4000 mile trip with skybox. It worked great. No problems. Averaged 22.5mpg. Doing 70-75
It looks great. I read somewhere that it was a little wobbly in the wind.
Have you had any issues with it?
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      08-02-2011, 08:03 PM   #20
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[QUOTE=shaderman;10119460]I have the Thule Boxter 611 on my X3 with the BMW crossbars (which I'm pretty sure are actually made by Thule). I will try to


When you have a chance can you post some pictures of the Boxter. Can't decide between that and the Yakima Lopro.Thanks
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      10-05-2011, 05:42 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BahnRaider View Post
For those of us in Europe can I recommend Atera SIGNO bars.
Made in Germany, excellent quality and very good value.
Available from www.roofbox.co.uk

A good (and cheaper) alternative to BMW bars, and Thule. Sadly I've had to buy Thule bars as the Atera ones have sold out, such is the demand!
Just bought some of these and by coincidence from the same supplier (previous good experience with a Thule Atlantis roofbox). Ordered Monday night and delivered this afternoon on a 3-5 day delivery service. A comparative bargain at £120 including delivery.

The bars fit like a dream - really simple to set up first time and then after that they go on in less than a minute. The track is 122cm so you get more load space than the BMW bars although they're not quite as elegant as they extend over the support legs a little at each end rather than tapering down.

It was dark when I fitted them - I'll take some pics at the weekend when there's some light and the car's had its first wash.
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      08-31-2012, 10:31 AM   #22
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2011X3 base roof rack support

One of the feet on mine is broken. BMW says I have to buy the whole system! Anyone know where I Can buy just the feet or better yet, one foot? Any idea who manufactures the system? I called Thule, it is not them. Thanks
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