[Bimmer13]

Greetings enthusiasts. I currently have the THULE trunk mount bike rack. It works fine. However even when I'm being EXTRA careful it can scratch the trunk and bumper. So I'm considering the BMW roof rack setup with the cross bars and the bike mounts. Anyone else using something other than the BMW ones? These things are expensive. And even if folks are selling them used they're still asking for what you can get them new. I've chatted with various online companies that sells them. Just trying to see what people here have and what works.

Thank you in advance

[zamboni]

You can get a complete set from Thule for the roof mount or BMW base and you can either go with Thule or Yakima rack set up.

[andino]

I have the thule set for my car. I found that the BMW system is usually a lot cheaper than the thule/yakima versions. I've seen the BMW rack setup for f31s brand new for around 150ish or so. I got a good deal on the Thule set locally from someone selling their car so I opted for them since I liked the look more. But had that not been the case, I'd of just gone for the OEM system since the price was right.

[Bimmer13]

Thank you for the replies. Other than OEM (BMW) and THULE, are there any OTHER brands that fit and have better pricing? Found 2 brands last night ROLA and Inno. Of course I know nothing about these and I'm concerned about proper fitment.

[andino]

I've heard good things about Inno and have a couple friends that run them on their cars. You might also consider Yakima.

[designatedposter]

also can consider installing a hitch, and using hitch mount bike racks.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by Bimmer13

Greetings enthusiasts. I currently have the THULE trunk mount bike rack. It works fine. However even when I'm being EXTRA careful it can scratch the trunk and bumper. So I'm considering the BMW roof rack setup with the cross bars and the bike mounts. Anyone else using something other than the BMW ones? These things are expensive. And even if folks are selling them used they're still asking for what you can get them new. I've chatted with various online companies that sells them. Just trying to see what people here have and what works.

Thank you in advance

I've used roof and trunk mount bike racks on previous cars. I've had issues with the roof mount height into parking garages, wind noise, reduced gas mileage, etc.

I prefer the trunk mount if possible. Just wondering if applying a clear protective wrap on the rear bumper, trunk lid or wherever you are having the scratch issue may allow you to keep the trunk mount bike rack?

[rambleon84]

Originally Posted by Bimmer13

Thank you for the replies. Other than OEM (BMW) and THULE, are there any OTHER brands that fit and have better pricing? Found 2 brands last night ROLA and Inno. Of course I know nothing about these and I'm concerned about proper fitment.

when i was in the market a few months ago, i couldnt find a rack for a better price than BMW's. I think it was $200 shipped for the bars/feet and 4 keys new. All of the other name brands were twice that.

[clemsonf31]

Originally Posted by designatedposter

also can consider installing a hitch, and using hitch mount bike racks.

This. And I have a hitch FS 😉

I have a roof mounted Thule rack and am very pleased. Trunk mounted racks are difficult (for scratching) and have to be repeatedly taken on and off when not in use.

Max

[floridaorange]

I have a pair of oem Bmw racks for sale

[Danddd]

Another in favor of a hitch. I really don't care to mount bikes on the roof. And with today's removable hitches there really isn't a reason to pass hitches off.

[leejak]

I have the stealth hitch for carry my bikes.....stealth hitch is great.....when not using, there are absolutely no signs you have a hitch......installed myself...not very difficult.....installed in an hour.....

I also have a Thule roof bars with the fit kit, so rack uses the factory roof mount points....use roof rack to carry a roof box....

[Bimmer13]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

I have a pair of oem Bmw racks for sale

Thank you. I just sent you a PM. I'm also in FLA.

[Bimmer13]

Thank you all for replying. I've considered the hitch route but can you still open the trunk with the bikes on? Same problem I have with the THULE trunk racks I currently own. Once on I can't open the trunk. And for protective covering I've tried towels, foam pieces, microfiber towels.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by Bimmer13

Thank you. I just sent you a PM. I'm also in FLA.

Originally Posted by Bimmer13

Thank you. I just sent you a PM. I'm also in FLA.

Cool - I didn't get it though so pmd you.

[mholder]

I went with a hitch mount from Stealth Hitch, installed by my BMW dealership on my 340i mSport w/m performance rear diffuser.

[leejak]

Originally Posted by Bimmer13

Thank you all for replying. I've considered the hitch route but can you still open the trunk with the bikes on? Same problem I have with the THULE trunk racks I currently own. Once on I can't open the trunk. And for protective covering I've tried towels, foam pieces, microfiber towels.

Absolutely you can open the trunk with a hitch rack....also, with some of he hitch racks, you can swing the rack down away from trunk if needed.....the nice thing about going with the Thule roof racks is that if you get a new car, you can keep the same rack, just get a new fit kit for your new car....or if you have more than one car, just get multiple fit kits and use with the same bars, and accessories

[designatedposter]

Some racks fold down. Like this one from 1up

You can also use hitch extender.

[14GSM]

Here's my Yakima Rack with CoreBar cross bars. I like it, it's super functional and well-built. Very quiet too. At highway speed it's maybe 10% louder than normal. There must be a resonance or something because around 40 mph I get a very slight "whoooo" sound, but it's only there at 40 +/-3 mph.

Only thing I'm not a fan of is the landing pads. They are very big and kind of ruin the look for me.

I opted for this over the BMW rack for a few reasons. First, I have a proform for Yakima that made the price much more competitive. Second, the BMW rack sticks up entirely too high for my taste. This Yakima rack is quite a bit lower and I like that. Lastly, I wanted a rack where the crossbars stuck out on the sides rather than ending at the towers.

[messygarageBMW]

This is the one I went with.

[Bimmer13]

Thank you all for the replies. I got a set of OEM bars from user on this forum. So far very happy with them. FloridaOrange thank you again. BTW FloridaOrange super cool guy. It was nice meeting you.

[AlmondJayRoM3]

Because I can’t use factory roof racks on my F80, I’ve been using Seasucker Talon suction cup bike rack. Works really well and as long as the surface is clean, they don’t mar the surface of the carbon roof.