Nice Rack!

GenX3 · 10-19-2011, 10:16 AM

...And the base crossbars and awesome too! I know there are a few that purchased aftermarket Thule, Yakama, Aereo, and a few other very good, stand-alone brands, but I found the BMW base support racks/crossbars to be very high quality, custom fit to our cars, and flexible enough to carry what most of us need.

The same quality carries over to the BMW Touring Bike Rack as well as their 6 ski/snowboard rack. High quality, solid construction, streamlined, made for our cars. Seems like the engineers that designed our cars, did some work on their downtime for these racks.

If you're looking to get roof racks to carry stuff. I think you can do no better than getting the BMW roof system.

ctski1 · 10-19-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenX3

...And the base crossbars and awesome too! I know there are a few that purchased aftermarket Thule, Yakama, Aereo, and a few other very good, stand-alone brands, but I found the BMW base support racks/crossbars to be very high quality, custom fit to our cars, and flexible enough to carry what most of us need.

The same quality carries over to the BMW Touring Bike Rack as well as their 6 ski/snowboard rack. High quality, solid construction, streamlined, made for our cars. Seems like the engineers that designed our cars, did some work on their downtime for these racks.

If you're looking to get roof racks to carry stuff. I think you can do no better than getting the BMW roof system.

I hope you're right! I intend on using the heck out of them…

rpiopio · 10-19-2011, 11:00 AM

Been thinking about getting the base and snowboard rack.

GenX3 · 10-19-2011, 12:16 PM

The base system (crossbars) is solid. It's stream lined (meaning, the bars don't protrude beyond the support bases). They're tight fitting and solid construction. You can tell when you handle them that they are beefy but not overly heavy.

I like the snowboard carrier because you can actually carry other stuff in there. I play hockey too, so I throw my sticks up there sometimes. 2X4X8 that you couldn't get in the car... you can throw up on the carrier (though, I wouldn't get on the highway in that scenario)... strictly for slow, back streets driving. But hey, at least you can do it.

Bike rack is equally as strong.

I'll say this, if you get the 6 ski and snowboard combo... it does stand high off the roof. No problem getting in the garage, but you can definitely hear them going down the road. Same with all racks, but a little more so if you get the taller ones.

MetaX · 10-19-2011, 01:17 PM

I plan to put on the new Thule Aeroblade bars on mine (when it eventually arrives) in the hope that they'll keep wind noise to a minimum. Hoping that my Yakima Fatcats can mount to the wide profile bars...

I remember someone telling me that Audi & BMW roof racks are all actually manufactured by Thule.

TuffLittleUnit · 10-19-2011, 02:44 PM

Audi & BMW use multiple manufacturers for roof bars and accessories. Thule, Mont Blanc, Atera, KAMEI are all used.

The accessories can often be really obvious rebadges like the Thule Atlantis being offered as an Audi roofbox and my Audi snowboard carrier looks uncannily like the Thule Deluxe.

LEDZEP · 10-19-2011, 03:09 PM

I've never used them, but I would agree that even at a slightly higher cost it would be advisable to use the system that was designed for the vehicle. They are probably made by Thule anyway... but precision fit is guaranteed.

sard · 10-19-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetaX

I plan to put on the new Thule Aeroblade bars on mine (when it eventually arrives) in the hope that they'll keep wind noise to a minimum. Hoping that my Yakima Fatcats can mount to the wide profile bars...

I remember someone telling me that Audi & BMW roof racks are all actually manufactured by Thule.

I have these on my X3 and don't hear any additional noise (no carrier on the crossbars). Albeit the wind/road noise on the factory form X3 is already a bit noisy. With the sunroof open, that fabric diffuser that pops up is wtf bbq incredibly loud.

Toecutter · 10-19-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I've never used them, but I would agree that even at a slightly higher cost it would be advisable to use the system that was designed for the vehicle. They are probably made by Thule anyway... but precision fit is guaranteed.

Or you can buy the same rack from REI and if there were a fit issue (doubtful) you can return it. Also you'd get 10% back in dividend in the Spring.

GenX3 · 10-19-2011, 11:22 PM

Well, if Thule makes the BMW racks, all the better. Whoever makes 'em, makes 'em well. As for the base rack, none of the aftermarket brands, including Thule, are custom fit as well as the BMW racks.

Some of the aftermarket components are nice, like the Yakama fatcats. It would be interesting to know if the Fatcats fit on the BMW rack... The BMW base rack crossbars aren't round, kind of oval shaped. The front crossbar has little spoilers on the underside of the bar. To help with wind-noise I suspect.

Sometimes when a company makes products not in their 'wheelhouse', the quality tends to be questionable. These racks and base support are of the highest quality I've seen. And if they're made by Thule or another professional transport company, that would stand to reason.

coolesnce · 10-20-2011, 01:02 AM

I have the Thule Snowcat that I bought last November and used on mt X5. Anyone have any ideas how to get it be compatible with the X3's roof rails?

Toecutter · 10-20-2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolesnce

I have the Thule Snowcat that I bought last November and used on mt X5. Anyone have any ideas how to get it be compatible with the X3's roof rails?

Can you run it through their configurator?

http://www.thule.com/fitguide/index....e=en&Market=SE

coolesnce · 10-20-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toecutter

Can you run it through their configurator?

http://www.thule.com/fitguide/index....e=en&Market=SE

The snow cat is a stand alone setup designed to just clamp on roof rails.

10-19-2011, 10:16 AM	#1
GenX3 Private First Class 27 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Colo Spgs iTrader: (0)	Nice Rack! ...And the base crossbars and awesome too! I know there are a few that purchased aftermarket Thule, Yakama, Aereo, and a few other very good, stand-alone brands, but I found the BMW base support racks/crossbars to be very high quality, custom fit to our cars, and flexible enough to carry what most of us need. The same quality carries over to the BMW Touring Bike Rack as well as their 6 ski/snowboard rack. High quality, solid construction, streamlined, made for our cars. Seems like the engineers that designed our cars, did some work on their downtime for these racks. If you're looking to get roof racks to carry stuff. I think you can do no better than getting the BMW roof system. __________________ 2012 X3 35i \| Space Gray \| Sand Beige \| Sienna Packages \| M-Sport \| Cold I & II \| Tech \| Premium \| Sound \| BMW Apps, HUD, Net
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10-19-2011, 11:00 AM	#3
rpiopio First Lieutenant 42 Rep 372 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2011 X3 , 2000e39 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Been thinking about getting the base and snowboard rack. __________________ 2006 330i: Titanium Silver, Black Leatherette, Navigation, European Delivery. 2011 X3 35i, Alpine White, Premium, Technology, Sport Package
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10-19-2011, 12:16 PM	#4
GenX3 Private First Class 27 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Colo Spgs iTrader: (0)	Base System The base system (crossbars) is solid. It's stream lined (meaning, the bars don't protrude beyond the support bases). They're tight fitting and solid construction. You can tell when you handle them that they are beefy but not overly heavy. I like the snowboard carrier because you can actually carry other stuff in there. I play hockey too, so I throw my sticks up there sometimes. 2X4X8 that you couldn't get in the car... you can throw up on the carrier (though, I wouldn't get on the highway in that scenario)... strictly for slow, back streets driving. But hey, at least you can do it. Bike rack is equally as strong. I'll say this, if you get the 6 ski and snowboard combo... it does stand high off the roof. No problem getting in the garage, but you can definitely hear them going down the road. Same with all racks, but a little more so if you get the taller ones. __________________ 2012 X3 35i \| Space Gray \| Sand Beige \| Sienna Packages \| M-Sport \| Cold I & II \| Tech \| Premium \| Sound \| BMW Apps, HUD, Net
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-19-2011, 01:17 PM	#5
MetaX Second Lieutenant 105 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 2022 X3MC Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	I plan to put on the new Thule Aeroblade bars on mine (when it eventually arrives) in the hope that they'll keep wind noise to a minimum. Hoping that my Yakima Fatcats can mount to the wide profile bars... I remember someone telling me that Audi & BMW roof racks are all actually manufactured by Thule.
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10-19-2011, 02:44 PM	#6
TuffLittleUnit Lieutenant 112 Rep 517 Posts Drives: G26 420d MSport Pro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Leeds, UK iTrader: (0)	Audi & BMW use multiple manufacturers for roof bars and accessories. Thule, Mont Blanc, Atera, KAMEI are all used. The accessories can often be really obvious rebadges like the Thule Atlantis being offered as an Audi roofbox and my Audi snowboard carrier looks uncannily like the Thule Deluxe. __________________ G26 420d Gran Coupe MSport Black on black, MSport Pro Pack, Comfort Plus Pack, Harman Kardon audio
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10-19-2011, 03:09 PM	#7
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I've never used them, but I would agree that even at a slightly higher cost it would be advisable to use the system that was designed for the vehicle. They are probably made by Thule anyway... but precision fit is guaranteed. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-19-2011, 11:22 PM	#10
GenX3 Private First Class 27 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Colo Spgs iTrader: (0)	Thule Custom Design, I like it! Well, if Thule makes the BMW racks, all the better. Whoever makes 'em, makes 'em well. As for the base rack, none of the aftermarket brands, including Thule, are custom fit as well as the BMW racks. Some of the aftermarket components are nice, like the Yakama fatcats. It would be interesting to know if the Fatcats fit on the BMW rack... The BMW base rack crossbars aren't round, kind of oval shaped. The front crossbar has little spoilers on the underside of the bar. To help with wind-noise I suspect. Sometimes when a company makes products not in their 'wheelhouse', the quality tends to be questionable. These racks and base support are of the highest quality I've seen. And if they're made by Thule or another professional transport company, that would stand to reason. __________________ 2012 X3 35i \| Space Gray \| Sand Beige \| Sienna Packages \| M-Sport \| Cold I & II \| Tech \| Premium \| Sound \| BMW Apps, HUD, Net
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10-20-2011, 01:02 AM	#11
coolesnce Private 11 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2015 X4 3.0 M-line Maxed out Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have the Thule Snowcat that I bought last November and used on mt X5. Anyone have any ideas how to get it be compatible with the X3's roof rails?
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