To those of you that are considering a roof rack for your X3, I highly recommend the OEM (BMW) that’s available from any BMW dealer, only $210 for both. I’ve used Thule and Yakima racks for bikes, kayaks and cargo boxes for many years, and these are equally as good at half the cost of Thule.

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/roof-rack/car-racks/thule-aeroblade-edge-7601-_-7601

They come with locks (one key unlocks all) and the fit to the factory rail is very snug and secure. Just be sure that rack/crossbar placement is exactly as specified in the instructions. Do not exceed the spacing specifications (distance between front and rear bars) as this will compromise load capacity and could cause failure. The crossbars are an aero profile and are quiet at 75-80 mph. I use Thule bike and kayak accessories and everything fits nicely, and for the bike, I use Thule Circuit 526XT. I leave mine on all the time with a bike mount accessory attached. No problems washing the car or with clearance in garage. DO NOT GO THROUGH A CARWASH with rack attached, and if you have a bike on the rack, do not enter any garage. Oh, and by the way, car is faster with rack attached.

Car looks great in white!

Forgive me but when you say Thule roof racks don't come with locks can you expand on that as all of my roof racks have locks and Thule have matched the lock for my attached bike racks so that I only need a single key.

Hairysteve wrote

Forgive me but when you say Thule roof racks don't come with locks can you expand on that as all of my roof racks have locks and Thule have matched the lock for my attached bike racks so that I only need a single key.

Thank you for sharing this info. If those locks were included, then you scored! The key lock is typically an add on accessory, and costs $65 for a set of 4 (one key unlocks all).

Rbrown wrote

Car looks great in white!

Thanks. I was originally going to buy blue, but couldn’t pass up the deal on this car. The interior is black with blue stitching, so there’s a nice contrast against the white.

It’s nice to hear the new roof racks are quiet. I like the look of them on an suv and left mine on all the time on my e84 x1 and they made a ton of noise. I finally decided to remove them while not in use.

bmtespar wrote

It’s nice to hear the new roof racks are quiet. I like the look of them on an suv and left mine on all the time on my e84 x1 and they made a ton of noise. I finally decided to remove them while not in use.

My car is quiet with no wind noise or rattles, so with the racks it’s the same. Add a bike or kayak, and yeah, some wind noise, but even tolerable for 400 mile trips (San Diego to Mammoth Lakes). The blade profile makes a big difference.

Is this a viable option for carrying 4 mountain bikes or would there be something else considered better at a cheaper price point? Looking for ease of use as well as keeping things secure. A bike rack hanging off the trailer hitch big enough for 4 mountain bikes doesn't seem very secure. Opinions?

pcmike wrote

Is this a viable option for carrying 4 mountain bikes or would there be something else considered better at a cheaper price point? Looking for ease of use as well as keeping things secure. A bike rack hanging off the trailer hitch big enough for 4 mountain bikes doesn't seem very secure. Opinions?

I use a Thule hitch-mounted rack for 4 mountain bikes. It’s secure and quiet and doesn’t affect fuel consumption.

Hi Mike,

North Shore make a good trailer hitch rig for 4 MTB's http://www.northshoreracks.com/photo%204bike8.htm

Cheers

Steve

pcmike wrote

Is this a viable option for carrying 4 mountain bikes or would there be something else considered better at a cheaper price point? Looking for ease of use as well as keeping things secure. A bike rack hanging off the trailer hitch big enough for 4 mountain bikes doesn't seem very secure. Opinions?

Hi Mike,
The roof rack is good for 2 bikes and front tires; be a little tight with 4 because the crossbar stops at the roof rail. I use a Thule XT Pro hitch rack on our Acura RDX and it’s rock solid, but pricey; about $575 for a two bike setup. Here’s a link to the Thule XT Pro 4 bike rack; it’s pricy too, but again, these racks are very stable and attach securely to the hitch receiver.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Thule/TH9034XT-9036XT.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKCAjwh9_bBRA_EiwApObaOAXqAu5fW6Pjbhj-Sb3FXDaUsvLQNvh2oENAf4VeJG4R0ewyD2-6DhoCqCoQAvD_BwE

Thanks! I think I'll go with the OEM option as well. Thule nearly gave me a heart attack with their pricing and I expect Yakima to be the same when they finally release a compatible one.

codex57 wrote

Thanks! I think I'll go with the OEM option as well. Thule nearly gave me a heart attack with their pricing and I expect Yakima to be the same when they finally release a compatible one.

OEM bars are high quality, fair priced and there’s “BMW” on each tower/foot pad. Thule products are also high quality, but expensive. The OEM bars will accept Thule accessories that are designed to fit Aeroblade bars, and the load rating is 200 lbs.

These all look good... I’ve decided to buy a seasucker bomber ... love the fact I can have bikes on the roof and then no roof rack when I don’t need a bike.

It was a bit scary at first but now I have confidence in them... happy days

RocketRomeo wrote

These all look good... I’ve decided to buy a seasucker bomber ... love the fact I can have bikes on the roof and then no roof rack when I don’t need a bike.

It was a bit scary at first but now I have confidence in them... happy days

Interesting setup. Enjoy the outdoors.

There are also cheaper Thule options, with separate feet, and bars. I have used my bars for two SAABs and my current F31, and will use it for my G01 as well. SAAB and BMW just needed different Fixpoint kits. So the total price, over four cars, is very low.
The recommended set for G01:
Wingbar 969
Rapid Fixpoint XT low TH 753
Rapid Fixpoint XT TH 4023

I also added a skibox, and a 6-cylinders/three keys set, to just have one key with me...

/n

Here's my setup.

azf100 wrote

Here's my setup.

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

XXX3 wrote

codex57 wrote

Thanks! I think I'll go with the OEM option as well. Thule nearly gave me a heart attack with their pricing and I expect Yakima to be the same when they finally release a compatible one.

OEM bars are high quality, fair priced and there's "BMW" on each tower/foot pad. Thule products are also high quality, but expensive. The OEM bars will accept Thule accessories that are designed to fit Aeroblade bars, and the load rating is 200 lbs.

Do you need to drill any holes on the roof when installing the oem roof racks? Sorry if this is a noob question. I have never had a roof rack on any of my previous vehicles. Thank you.

rem40i wrote

Do you need to drill any holes on the roof when installing the oem roof racks? Sorry if this is a noob question. I have never had a roof rack on any of my previous vehicles. Thank you.

Definitely not! Do not drill any holes in your roof.

XXX3 wrote

To those of you that are considering a roof rack for your X3, I highly recommend the OEM (BMW) that’s available from any BMW dealer, only $210 for both. I’ve used Thule and Yakima racks for bikes, kayaks and cargo boxes for many years, and these are equally as good at half the cost of Thule.

Thanks. Now I know what we will use the $50 BMW welcome gift credit on.

rem40i: here’s a photo of OEM racks on an X5 that I spotted today while on the road without my X3. This should give you a good idea of how racks, without accessories, is going to look. Cheers