[diablo2112]

We weren't happy with the aesthetics of the BMW OEM roof rack. Base was too big and didn't like the silver bits. Did quite a bit of research, and found a very nice roof rack that fits the rails on the new F31. Low profile, quiet, aero bars, and all black without too-bulky pylons. Its high enough to allow your load to clear the shark fin, but not too high. Really, the perfect dimension for the F31.

They fit the stock rails on the F31 just fine, even though this is advertised for only the E91 models. Solid mount, and the bars are rated to 100kg. I put electrical tape over the white lettering.

Rack is made by Rhinorack (aka Mount Blanc), model is

Rhino-Rack® SRB002 - BMW 3-Series 2012 Sportz Series Flush Mount Roof Rack

Here's a link to the full page.

FYI. Recommended.

[Jimminez]

Thanks for sharing. Do you happen to have a side view pic? I'm interested to know if the bars are level or if the rear is lower than the front.

Also, is the rear bar set to factory mount points? It seems father back than I'd expect.

[pablobaq]

I ended up wrapping my rails and bike rack on my F34 in carbon fiber vinyl.

[mrred]

I have a set of black Thule aero edge racks coming in from rack attack. I'll post some pics once I get them in / installed.

[diablo2112]

Sorry for the delay. Side view overall pic.

[AweSam8]

I noticed you didn't add a fairing with your setup. How's the road noise? I also don't plan on adding a fairing, and was thinking of going with Thule Aerobar vs Yakima Whispar setup. But if road noise is inevitable, I may have to add a fairing regardless of how ugly I find it.

[diablo2112]

Road noise is acceptable to us without a fairing, as long as the front bar is far enough back to get out of the slipstream. No whistling at all.

[AweSam8]

What about sunroof functionality? I contacted roofrack.com about this, and there's very few that allow you to use your sunroof when that bars are installed.

[diablo2112]

Never heard of a roof rack limiting the sunroof. Our sunroof works just fine with the rack installed, no issues I'm aware of.

[motoridersd]

What accessories are these compatible with? Thule?

I've been looking for a black roof rack base that will fit the flush mounted rails of my LCI E91. These should fit it nicely.

[MisterPhilip]

Originally Posted by motoridersd

I've been looking for a black roof rack base that will fit the flush mounted rails of my LCI E91. These should fit it nicely.

Thule recently launched a black powder coated version of their AreoBlade series (edge / normal)

[Bodyshop]

Originally Posted by MisterPhilip

Thule recently launched a black powder coated version of their AreoBlade series (edge / normal)

Ha! I just received my black Thule edge bars. Haven't installed them yet, but they look quite nice.

[Jimminez]

Originally Posted by Bodyshop

Ha! I just received my black Thule edge bars. Haven't installed them yet, but they look quite nice.

I'm jealous. They didn't have the black version available yet when I got mine but with the box they're at that noticeable and if I have to put my ski rack on or switch to the bike rack in the spring, they are silver anyway.

[mmpotash]

For the Thule rack on my F31 wagon, how far back does the front crossbar, (aero), start from the windshield? How far apart are the crossbars?

[Touring]

Happy with mine :-)

[Kezzy]

Or you can be like this guy. Saw this last year and thought it was pretty boss.

[diablo2112]

Originally Posted by mmpotash

For the Thule rack on my F31 wagon, how far back does the front crossbar, (aero), start from the windshield? How far apart are the crossbars?

We positioned the front bar so it was centered on the cross piece that separates the 2 sunroof glass sections. This has 2 advantages: 1) you can't see it all with the sunroof open, and 2) its very quiet in this position, as its outside the slipstream that can cause whistling. FYI.