Best way to carry bikes on E90

gangzoom · 07-25-2012, 05:30 AM

Thinking of taking the push bikes along with on holiday soonish. Have managed to carry my bike with wheels off/saddle off/handlebars twisted in the boot of the E90 (no folding seats), but no way is it going to manage 2 bikes....

Given I'm planning on keeping the car for a long time don't mind spending some money on some roof bars (so the bikes will live on the roof) or tow bar thingy to allow me to stick on some bike carriers.

Have never used anything like them before, which would be better/more stable? I have a 335i so not sure if the extra exhaust will have an impact on what tow bars can be fitted?? We're likely to start a family soon too, so in future might end up needing to fit both anyways

doughboy · 07-25-2012, 07:51 AM

There's loads of options.

Although we've got a tourer, we had no tow bar, so went for roof bars and and have two thule pro ride 591 bike carriers along side a roof box.

Its only the connecting bits for the bars that differ to the E90. You just have to watch the speed else the bikes can get a wobble on as the wind increases. 70/80 tops really, less in cross winds. Watch out for multi storey car parks, or even beach car park height barriers!!!

A tow bar mounted bike rack would be much more stable and easy to take on/off than a roof mount, but you are right, a lot of actual tow bars are 'not for 335i/d'. And a tow bar will cost a bit to start with if you don't have one already.

I couldn't justify the outlay for a towbar (which would cost more than all the roof racks / boxes / bikes racks put together) as we only take the bikes twice a year or so, so we went for all roof mounted.

But for a quality solution, I'd look at the tow bar mount for push bikes, and then roof bars for a roof box as the family expands....

With roof bars, go for decent aero shaped bars (like a plane wing) that don't whistle and drive you nuts!

We got all our stuff and great advice / buying guides from http://www.roofbox.co.uk/ great shop.

jrah · 07-25-2012, 08:14 AM

I've just bought a saris bones cycle carrier and it's fantastic, takes no more than 2 minutes to fit to the car, goes on the back of me E92 no problem

AlwynMike · 07-27-2012, 05:59 AM

The towbar option is the best, but most expensive!
Don't be "fooled" by the "not for 335" bit. The towbar will fit fine, it's just your exhausts that will not be supported!! (the exhaust mounts are welded to the bumper crossbar that is removed to fit the towbar. The Westfalia bar, which IMHO is the best is absolutely invisible with the ball removed. The "extra" kit for the 335 is available, but costs into 3 figures! Any competent mechanic will be able to fabricate suitable brackets to support the exhausts - I managed it with offcuts from my garage.

The simplest and cheapest way is a strap-on carrier. The least stable and you may still need towbar electrics to be legal.

Roof bars are the compromise - secure, reasonably stable, non-damaging and not as expensive. Downside is the pain in putting (often muddy) bikes on top of your car - don't drop one!!

Mike

Dr Dave · 07-27-2012, 07:23 AM

Just bought a Thule 790 two bike tow bar bike carrier, will post pics up later.

poggy · 07-28-2012, 02:50 AM

Can you get rear carriers that don't obscure the lights and number plate which is illegal. Saw some divvy the other day with both obscured and pulled out in front of me not being able to see his indicators. Alternatively anyone know how easy to fit electrics for a trailer board?

AlwynMike · 07-28-2012, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poggy

Can you get rear carriers that don't obscure the lights and number plate which is illegal. Saw some divvy the other day with both obscured and pulled out in front of me not being able to see his indicators. Alternatively anyone know how easy to fit electrics for a trailer board?

Quick and easy.
Get a "7-way Relay" for trailer lighting and wire that into your lights/battery.
Make a bracket for the 7 pin socket behind/under the bumper (screw it to the bumper iron). Then buy a trailer/bike board and use bungee cords to secure on the bike(s). Take a couple of hours to do - you may have to take the rear bumper off to do a proper job. Cost about 25 quid. I do know someone who has done this, but keeps the "trailer" socket in the boot, then connects his board and closes the boot lid on the cable. He doesn't drive a BMW!

Mike

Dr Dave · 07-29-2012, 05:26 AM

Thule 790 carrier for two bikes, attaches to the towball, bargain at £49 delivered. Bikes are safe and secure and don't touch the car.

07-25-2012, 05:30 AM	#1
gangzoom Brigadier General 1685 Rep 3,286 Posts Drives: E90 335i M sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Leicester iTrader: (1)	Best way to carry bikes on E90 Thinking of taking the push bikes along with on holiday soonish. Have managed to carry my bike with wheels off/saddle off/handlebars twisted in the boot of the E90 (no folding seats), but no way is it going to manage 2 bikes.... Given I'm planning on keeping the car for a long time don't mind spending some money on some roof bars (so the bikes will live on the roof) or tow bar thingy to allow me to stick on some bike carriers. Have never used anything like them before, which would be better/more stable? I have a 335i so not sure if the extra exhaust will have an impact on what tow bars can be fitted?? We're likely to start a family soon too, so in future might end up needing to fit both anyways
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07-25-2012, 07:51 AM	#2
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	There's loads of options. Although we've got a tourer, we had no tow bar, so went for roof bars and and have two thule pro ride 591 bike carriers along side a roof box. Its only the connecting bits for the bars that differ to the E90. You just have to watch the speed else the bikes can get a wobble on as the wind increases. 70/80 tops really, less in cross winds. Watch out for multi storey car parks, or even beach car park height barriers!!! A tow bar mounted bike rack would be much more stable and easy to take on/off than a roof mount, but you are right, a lot of actual tow bars are 'not for 335i/d'. And a tow bar will cost a bit to start with if you don't have one already. I couldn't justify the outlay for a towbar (which would cost more than all the roof racks / boxes / bikes racks put together) as we only take the bikes twice a year or so, so we went for all roof mounted. But for a quality solution, I'd look at the tow bar mount for push bikes, and then roof bars for a roof box as the family expands.... With roof bars, go for decent aero shaped bars (like a plane wing) that don't whistle and drive you nuts! We got all our stuff and great advice / buying guides from http://www.roofbox.co.uk/ great shop. Last edited by doughboy; 07-25-2012 at 08:06 AM..
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07-25-2012, 08:14 AM	#3
jrah Captain 80 Rep 618 Posts Drives: M340d Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Buckinghamshire iTrader: (0)	I've just bought a saris bones cycle carrier and it's fantastic, takes no more than 2 minutes to fit to the car, goes on the back of me E92 no problem __________________ M340d - Brooklyn Grey - Cognac
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07-27-2012, 05:59 AM	#4
AlwynMike Lieutenant Colonel 337 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: F36 440i GC. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincolnshire Flatlands iTrader: (1)	The towbar option is the best, but most expensive! Don't be "fooled" by the "not for 335" bit. The towbar will fit fine, it's just your exhausts that will not be supported!! (the exhaust mounts are welded to the bumper crossbar that is removed to fit the towbar. The Westfalia bar, which IMHO is the best is absolutely invisible with the ball removed. The "extra" kit for the 335 is available, but costs into 3 figures! Any competent mechanic will be able to fabricate suitable brackets to support the exhausts - I managed it with offcuts from my garage. The simplest and cheapest way is a strap-on carrier. The least stable and you may still need towbar electrics to be legal. Roof bars are the compromise - secure, reasonably stable, non-damaging and not as expensive. Downside is the pain in putting (often muddy) bikes on top of your car - don't drop one!! Mike
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07-27-2012, 07:23 AM	#5
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 112 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	Just bought a Thule 790 two bike tow bar bike carrier, will post pics up later.
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07-28-2012, 02:50 AM	#6
poggy Private First Class 20 Rep 185 Posts Drives: E90 318i SE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	Can you get rear carriers that don't obscure the lights and number plate which is illegal. Saw some divvy the other day with both obscured and pulled out in front of me not being able to see his indicators. Alternatively anyone know how easy to fit electrics for a trailer board?
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07-29-2012, 05:26 AM	#8
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 112 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	Thule 790 carrier for two bikes, attaches to the towball, bargain at £49 delivered. Bikes are safe and secure and don't touch the car.
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