Yakima on BMW rails? - XBimmers

CaliRubicon · 02-25-2012, 11:10 PM

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.

Markap · 02-26-2012, 07:35 AM

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.....

CaliRubicon · 02-26-2012, 10:24 AM

Thanks. I have called Yakima as well. If everybody with this problem calls maybe they will speed up development. 888-925-4621.

MetaX · 02-27-2012, 01:04 PM

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.

CaliRubicon · 02-27-2012, 07:51 PM

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.

CaliRubicon · 02-27-2012, 07:53 PM

Oh and MetaX what towers are you using? And how is the sound/vibration on the Thule blades?

MetaX · 02-29-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliRubicon

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.

rexicon · 03-12-2012, 04:10 PM

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

jbartos54 · 03-13-2012, 02:00 PM

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.

CaliRubicon · 03-13-2012, 09:36 PM

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.

jbartos54 · 03-13-2012, 10:17 PM

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.

KF · 03-15-2012, 01:21 AM

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.

khaiql · 03-15-2012, 04:08 AM

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.

MetaX · 03-15-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KF

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.

jbartos54 · 03-15-2012, 09:36 PM

Just to let you know, I don't think canoe brackets work with the aero bars. That's why I ended up with square.

CaliRubicon · 04-05-2012, 09:58 AM

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.

voerman · 04-05-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliRubicon

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

jk · 04-05-2012, 09:14 PM

any problems using the thule rack above the sunroof on the 35i?

thrasher-b · 04-07-2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jk

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.

ctlyankee · 04-09-2012, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voerman

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.

02-25-2012, 11:10 PM	#1
CaliRubicon Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 39 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.
	Tweet

03-13-2012, 02:00 PM	#9
jbartos54 Registered Drives: 2012 X3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 3 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.

03-15-2012, 01:21 AM	#12
KF Enlisted Member Drives: X3 30D Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 39 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 X3 30D [0.00] 2010 SKODA Fabia 77 ... [0.00]	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.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

02-26-2012, 07:35 AM	#2
Markap Private Drives: 2011 X3 2.8 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 94 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 2.8 [0.00] 2003 BMW F650GS [0.00] 2008 Volvo C70 'vert [0.00] 1999 BMW R1100RS [0.00] 1993 BMW K75S [0.00]	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.....

02-26-2012, 10:24 AM	#3
CaliRubicon Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 39 iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I have called Yakima as well. If everybody with this problem calls maybe they will speed up development. 888-925-4621.

02-27-2012, 01:04 PM	#4
MetaX Private Drives: 2012 X3 xDrive35i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 79 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.

02-27-2012, 07:51 PM	#5
CaliRubicon Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 39 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.

02-27-2012, 07:53 PM	#6
CaliRubicon Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 39 iTrader: (0)	Oh and MetaX what towers are you using? And how is the sound/vibration on the Thule blades?

03-12-2012, 04:10 PM	#8
rexicon Registered Drives: 2012 X3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tarpon Springs FL Posts: 1 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

03-13-2012, 09:36 PM	#10
CaliRubicon Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 39 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.

03-13-2012, 10:17 PM	#11
jbartos54 Registered Drives: 2012 X3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 3 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.

03-15-2012, 04:08 AM	#13
khaiql New Member Drives: X3 2012 30D Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 28 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.

03-15-2012, 09:36 PM	#15
jbartos54 Registered Drives: 2012 X3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 3 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.

04-05-2012, 09:58 AM	#16
CaliRubicon Enlisted Member Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 39 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.

04-05-2012, 09:14 PM	#18
jk Private First Class Drives: '12 x3 35i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: United States Posts: 114 iTrader: (0)	any problems using the thule rack above the sunroof on the 35i?