BMW X3
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12-05-2024LAST POST
11-29-2024
Neuralgia user avatar
Neuralgia
New Member
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Guys I have the OEM racks.

Just not sure which one to get.

Will the XL be too big? (sticks out the front, doesn't allow to open gate, etc.)

Is the XL enough?

Haven't been able to find pics comparing both.
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11-29-2024
JonasM40i user avatar
JonasM40i
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I have the Thule Motion XT Alpine.

Motion XT Alpine: 232 cm x 95 cm x 35 cm
Motion XT XL: 210 cm x 86 cm x 44 cm

The Alpine is perfect for me. No problems at all.
An image attached to this post, provided by the posterAn image attached to this post, provided by the poster
Appreciate2
11-30-2024
Neuralgia user avatar
Neuralgia
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That's a nice Option, but I believe I need more height.

I've been looking at the "new" Motion 3 also.

I'm inclining more to the XL, the more pictures I see and the more I read.
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11-30-2024
deviation01 user avatar
deviation01
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How is the wind noise?
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11-30-2024
JonasM40i user avatar
JonasM40i
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deviation01 wrote
How is the wind noise?
For shue it is louder than without one, but it is ok. I dont have a whistling noise.

From 80 mph on it is going to be noticeable.
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12-01-2024
sti2relaxxin user avatar
sti2relaxxin
Enlisted Member
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Neuralgia wrote
Guys I have the OEM racks.

Just not sure which one to get.

Will the XL be too big? (sticks out the front, doesn't allow to open gate, etc.)

Is the XL enough?

Haven't been able to find pics comparing both.
I have the Thule Motion XT XXL and have been using it for years without any issues. I move it as far back as possible before it touches the open back gate. No whistling, but there is wind noise which isn't bad at all. Closing the sunroof cover is very effective to muffle the sound.
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12-02-2024
Florida-X3 user avatar
Florida-X3
Lieutenant
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What about the Thule 614 Pulse (medium)? That's the one I'm looking at.
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12-03-2024
deviation01 user avatar
deviation01
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JonasM40i wrote
For shue it is louder than without one, but it is ok. I dont have a whistling noise.

From 80 mph on it is going to be noticeable.
Is it worse than the mirror/window noise we get in our cars?
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12-03-2024
JonasM40i user avatar
JonasM40i
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deviation01 wrote
Is it worse than the mirror/window noise we get in our cars?
There is a big box on the roof of the car. For shure it is louder than the mirrors.

But as written, it depends on the speed you drive.
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12-03-2024
MagicJohnson user avatar
MagicJohnson
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sti2relaxxin wrote
I have the Thule Motion XT XXL and have been using it for years without any issues. I move it as far back as possible before it touches the open back gate. No whistling, but there is wind noise which isn't bad at all. Closing the sunroof cover is very effective to muffle the sound.
Any pictures?
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12-03-2024
sti2relaxxin user avatar
sti2relaxxin
Enlisted Member
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MagicJohnson wrote
Any pictures?
These are the only ones I have. I took them to remind myself how to pack in the most efficient way for the beach, so the focus was more on the contents of the carrier rather than the vehicle. They should give you an idea of the size of it though.
An image attached to this post, provided by the posterAn image attached to this post, provided by the poster
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12-04-2024
turbobeagle user avatar
turbobeagle
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JonasM40i wrote
I have the Thule Motion XT Alpine.

Motion XT Alpine: 232 cm x 95 cm x 35 cm
Motion XT XL: 210 cm x 86 cm x 44 cm

The Alpine is perfect for me. No problems at all.
Are you able to clear that garage door height with the box installed?
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12-04-2024
JonasM40i user avatar
JonasM40i
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turbobeagle wrote
Are you able to clear that garage door height with the box installed?
Yes. That was a reason, why I bought the XT Alpine, because it is one of the lowest boxes. I can mesure you the total heigh of the vehicle in the evening.
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12-04-2024
JonasM40i user avatar
JonasM40i
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Highest point is 200cm.
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12-04-2024
turbobeagle user avatar
turbobeagle
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JonasM40i wrote
Highest point is 200cm.
Thanks. The Alpine is discontinued now and its replacement (Thule Motion 3 XL Low) is about an inch taller off the bar according to official specs. But I was thinking of buying a used box anyway, so maybe I'll get lucky and find an Alpine.
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12-05-2024
deviation01 user avatar
deviation01
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JonasM40i wrote
There is a big box on the roof of the car. For shure it is louder than the mirrors.

But as written, it depends on the speed you drive.
I dont knowww our mirrors wind noise tends to be pretty up there :p
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