[Pas151]

Just installed BMW brand roof rack bars on my F30 and I'm getting more noise than I was expecting. Specifically getting a whistling noise around 20-25 MPH.

Is this normal? Anyone else have experience like this? Is there any remedy?

Many thanks.

[vmaniqui]

Originally Posted by Pas151

Just installed BMW brand roof rack bars on my F30 and I'm getting more noise than I was expecting. Specifically getting a whistling noise around 20-25 MPH.

Is this normal? Anyone else have experience like this? Is there any remedy?

Many thanks.

It is quite normal as there’s wind drag. On my truck’s roof rack it has a wind deflector that helps quite a bit but there’s still wind noise. Once you put something on the rack you’ll get more noise. Check this out...

[Sigge]

Is this really the only option there is? Can't see why they have to be so high? I'm looking into getting a roof box but i want it to fit tight to the roof. Other cars have sleek "wingbar" options that looks really nice. Is it because there is no actual rail that the supply is limited?

[jnj2455]

They exist.

Personally I went with a Thule aeroblade that sits lower to the roofline than OEM bars. They still make a bit of whistle around highway speeds but I definitely do not need fairing.

[coolspot]

Originally Posted by Pas151

Is this normal? Anyone else have experience like this? Is there any remedy?

Yeah, very annoying, I taped up all the gaps and got most of the noise away, but my X3 bars now look pretty ghetto with electrical tape.

Disappoining for an OEM product that there is whistling at 80KMPH

[chhappy7]

I don't think roof racks are meant to stay on even when you're not carrying anything. At least that's how I used it. It only takes like 10 minutes to put it on or take off and I wasn't using it 24/7, just on the weekends so that's what I did. Unfortunately it is what it is and what you're experiencing is like people noticing car rides less comfortably when they go up in wheel sizes and ask if there's anything that can be done.

[sspade]

I use the Yakima 40'' WindShield with my OEM bars and there is almost no wind noise. Night and day difference.

[auburnf30x]

Originally Posted by coolspot

Yeah, very annoying, I taped up all the gaps and got most of the noise away, but my X3 bars now look pretty ghetto with electrical tape.

Disappoining for an OEM product that there is whistling at 80KMPH

That's all roof racks...even the most expensive Thule or Yakima bars make some kind of noise at speed.

Solution as a few others have posted, is a fairing. Typically there will still be some wind noise but it is much more tolerable.