[dArNeLLi]

I'm looking to get the BMW base system and deciding if I should get the BMW bike rack as well.

Will the fork mount rack (racing cycle holder) hold my XC/MTB bike since they specify that this rack is more for a road racing bike?

Also, on the base system mount, does anyone have some up close pictures of these look after they have been mounted onto the car? I'm looking to see if the rubber "feet" of the system that holds the cross bars has potential of swirling the paint up top or does it sit completely on the roof molding only?

Thanks, I've searched and wasn't able to find some up close pictures.

Also, are these the P/N's I should be picking up? Thanks

for base system - 82710394018
for bike rack - 82720154637

[200Duece]

1. yes
2. the "feet" install into the rain rails, the little pop up covers. the racks don't touch the roof
3.base # 82 71 0 403 104
race rack # 82 72 0 393 083


You have a sedan right?

[dArNeLLi]

Ah, thanks for the quick response.

I have a coupe, are the base systems different?

Also for P/N # 82 72 0 393 083 (race rack) is there any problem running a mountain bike on there (with calipers)? I'm more partial to the fork mount than a mount with both wheels on, even though many do so just fine.

[200Duece]

coupe is different, # 82 71 0 397 227

not sure about the caliper discs. I don't know where they attach to your front forks. hopefully someone else can chyme in about the clearence

[200Duece]

http://accessories.bmwusa.com/ItemVi...&productId=391

here's a pic. how's it look. also, I'm pretty sure that most of the BMW acessories are made by Thule. you might want to look around to see what they offer

[joec500]

Hey Man....If you want to check out my Thule System let me know....I am always riding my mountain bike.

I personally think the Thule system looks nicer and is probably cheaper.

[iwantmye92]

Originally Posted by dArNeLLi

Ah, thanks for the quick response.

I have a coupe, are the base systems different?

My base system is compatible to both the coupe and the sedan. It came in handy when my car (coupe) was in service and they gave me a sedan as a loaner car. I just unscrewed it from my car, adjusted the width of the feet, and screwed it right in to the sedan. I'll post up the product # when I get home later. I got it from Tischer, which has pretty awesome prices for OEM accessories.

[dArNeLLi]

sweet thanks for the help

[rothwem]

Thule system is better, sits closer to the car and is more streamlined looking.

Thule trays are pretty decent too, I use an older set of fork mount Thule V2's from my old rack setup. They clear the calipers on my fox fork just fine and are more secure than the racks that hold the downtube of the bike.

Generally speaking, the OEM rack stuff from car manufacturers isn't that great, and is just made by thule or yakima anyways+markup for having a BMW or VW or Volvo logo on it.

[ECSTuning]

We have the OEM components available here on the website:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES19...aign=postreply

One of the guys here at the shop has the base rack on his e46 and has the Rocky Mounts Euro bike rack, which is design to fit OEM BMW base systems.

[str86diesel]

I too am looking at the OEM rack. Can anyone tell me if the OEM or the Thule physicall touch the roof?

My fear of putting a rack on the car is scratching the roof all up..so the minimal it touches the better.

thx

[ren]

I have the OEM rack and 2 touring bike holders. Nothing touches the roof at all.

Both Sedan and Coupe have the same base rack: 82710403104
Touring Bike Holder: 82720137716
Racing Bike Holder: 82720393083

I heard that if you have disk brakes you may have a problem using the racing bike holder because of the different shape of the front fork.

I got them at Tischer BMW, great service and best price I could find (with shipping).

[str86diesel]

awesome thanks

[dArNeLLi]

is the bmw bike racing roof rack stable? the rear tire is held on by a cloth/nylon weave locked into a jaw grip? i know yakima using a ratchet system

i just got my rack in, and haven't installed it yet

[ren]

Originally Posted by dArNeLLi

is the bmw bike racing roof rack stable? the rear tire is held on by a cloth/nylon weave locked into a jaw grip? i know yakima using a ratchet system

i just got my rack in, and haven't installed it yet

it seems pretty stable to me with 2 bikes on it.
yes the rear tire is held by a cloth weave, not a complex system. But most of the support is on the side arm that holds the bike.
did you get the OEM rack?

[dArNeLLi]

yea I didn't get the side arm one, i got the race one which clamps down onto the front fork, for about 110 bucks

ya piece of mind would be nice to have a plastic ratchet and strap like a snowboard binding, and like a yakima style fork mount

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by dArNeLLi

I'm looking to get the BMW base system and deciding if I should get the BMW bike rack as well.

Will the fork mount rack (racing cycle holder) hold my XC/MTB bike since they specify that this rack is more for a road racing bike?

Also, on the base system mount, does anyone have some up close pictures of these look after they have been mounted onto the car? I'm looking to see if the rubber "feet" of the system that holds the cross bars has potential of swirling the paint up top or does it sit completely on the roof molding only?

Thanks, I've searched and wasn't able to find some up close pictures.

Also, are these the P/N's I should be picking up? Thanks

for base system - 82710394018
for bike rack - 82720154637

This is my setup. Not pretty by any means but is functional. I take the cargo box off at my destination. This is the Thule system.

[chamoloco]

dArNeLLi,
Let me know what you think of the racing cycle holder. I am looking into buying one too. I was curious on how the front locks down and your thoughts on the back strap.
I just bought the BMW oem rack and I love how it fits the sedan perfectly. Does not touch the paint is super sturdy and even comes with a guard to put in the channel to protect it from the screw accidentally hitting it. The only drawback of the OEM rack is that it does not have locks, though the screws are security star screws.

[dArNeLLi]

the racing rack works just nicely, what it does is that there is a twist handle in front, you put your fork into the fork mount and then begin to twist the handle in front and lock it down from the sides, holds just perfectly for my mountain bike with a FOX F100 fork and disc brakes, no fitment issues.

Yea the only drawback, is locking it. The bike rack itself comes with two keys to unlock the bike.

The strap is kind of chinsy if you asked me, but it holds solid, though I'd much prefer a plastic ratchet system. I'd say find a thule rack that mounts to the aero express bars with a ratchet for the rear wheel and a forkmount up front.

[E36_NC]

dArNeLLi, I just received the race rack a few minutes ago and I was checking out how in locks the fork down. I think I may have a problem with mine though because as I turn the handle in the front, only the left side (driver side if bike is facing forward) is tightening down. The right side isn't moving at all. Can you confirm that both sides should tighten down toward the center of the mechanism?

[kiwistu]

Hi

Thanks to the pic E92Vancouver posted I went and brought a Thule System - works aboslutely perfectly - forget the OEM one

the way it works means it doesn't put any load on the external roof - super clever!

Cheers
stu