[Pyradox29]

Really happy with the look. I shopped about, looked at Thule, Yakima and this one. Amazingly this one came in cheapest (spoke with the parts guy at the dealership and for buying both got 15% off). That put it almost $200 cheaper than the yakima setup and more than that on the Thule setup.

Couple of notes on install. The OEM rack whistles badly until you fill the space under the bar and the plastic (see photo) I saw another post where someone used silicone, but I wanted to be able to adjust if needed so used expanding foam weather seal. Is now super quiet.

Other frustration was in the install video for the box they show the rubber seal in the rails being left in, but that does not work with this rack. Have to remove it to install the box. Did a drive test and no whistle, just a little bit of wind noise (but very light).

[WhiteCollarMetalHead]

I will try out this foam trick for mine. Picked my OEM rack up used when i got the car and it came with the Yak fairing which I have been using.

[erickonphoenix]

Wow, nice solution to the whistling.

As I'm usually blasting Slayer I rarely notice it unless the missus asks me to turn down the stereo.

[Th3Walrus]

Did you just put foam at the front, or inside too? I have the same racks and box on my 340i, and the noise is unbelievable, can't open the sunroof it's so loud.

[Pyradox29]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

Did you just put foam at the front, or inside too? I have the same racks and box on my 340i, and the noise is unbelievable, can't open the sunroof it's so loud.

I just wrapped the outside gap all the way around sticking it on the black plastic so it compresses in the middle where it comes closest to the metal. The foam is very flexible so it wraps pretty easily.

[Pyradox29]

Originally Posted by WhiteCollarMetalHead

I will try out this foam trick for mine. Picked my OEM rack up used when i got the car and it came with the Yak fairing which I have been using.

How does it look with the faring? Any photos? I was debating getting one, but as it is so quiet now I have not gone there yet.

[Pyradox29]

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

Wow, nice solution to the whistling.

As I'm usually blasting Slayer I rarely notice it unless the missus asks me to turn down the stereo.

Thanks! I got many text messages from my wife to solve the problem in the first week after installation. I am also a fan of music played loud…

[WhiteCollarMetalHead]

Originally Posted by Pyradox29

How does it look with the faring? Any photos? I was debating getting one, but as it is so quiet now I have not gone there yet.

Here is one I have with it on, it still makes some noise as specific speeds, sounds like your solution is better.

[rambleon84]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

Did you just put foam at the front, or inside too? I have the same racks and box on my 340i, and the noise is unbelievable, can't open the sunroof it's so loud.

I used butyl leftover from a headlight retrofit for mine, could have probably done a neater job but it did the trick and cant see it unless looking for it:

Ignore all the deadbugs lol:


The stuff comes as a roll, super mailable when warm, stretchs and easily fitted/shoved in the cracks. stays in place:


Under $15 on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=headlight+butyl

[sspade]

OEM cross bars with Yakima WindShield and Yakima SkyBox Pro has been a quiet, whistle free setup for me!

[Pyradox29]

Originally Posted by WhiteCollarMetalHead

Here is one I have with it on, it still makes some noise as specific speeds, sounds like your solution is better.

That looks good. I will look into that! Thanks for sharing.

[Mkesler75]

I didn’t want to spend Thule $ and I didn’t like the silver of OEM. I bought these Turtle brand off eBay for $129 plus ship. I’ve owned several brands of cross bars and these are really well made. The rubber boot at the base and wind style shape limit noise. No issues with pan roof. Would recommend!

[Oksamit78]

WhiteCollarMetalHead and sspade

What fairing size is that? - 34" or 40"?

I've already had Thule Aerowing bars from previous car, so stayed with it by getting the proper posts for F34. Not whistling at any speeds. The bars are hard anodized blue:

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Oksamit78

WhiteCollarMetalHead and sspade

What fairing size is that? - 34" or 40"?

I've already had Thule Aerowing bars from previous car, so stayed with it by getting the proper posts for F34. Not whistling at any speeds. The bars are hard anodized blue:

40'' fits PERFECTLY between bars on my F30, with no gap.

[WhiteCollarMetalHead]

Originally Posted by Oksamit78

WhiteCollarMetalHead and sspade

What fairing size is that? - 34" or 40"?

I honestly dont know, I purchaced the bars used from a guy with an F30 and he tossed in the fairing. Based on other reponses here I would assume its the 40" but I will need to measure it to be sure.

[Oksamit78]

Originally Posted by sspade

40'' fits PERFECTLY between bars on my F30, with no gap.

Thanks!
I've measured the outside dimension between the Thule posts on my F34 and it measures to be 44.5", the inside is 41"... Could you share a picture of the 40" faring end right next to one of the either posts on your car? Considering that faring is centered between the posts.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Oksamit78

Thanks!
I've measured the outside dimension between the Thule posts on my F34 and it measures to be 44.5", the inside is 41"... Could you share a picture of the 40" faring end right next to one of the either posts on your car? Considering that faring is centered between the posts.

Here's a few different views!

[ChadGT]

Hi, I just purchased an OEM rack for my F34 off Craigslist, but it didn't come with any mounting bolts or anything. I purchased this bolt kit, but the bolts don't seem to fit the mounted screw holes in the roof.

1) Does the F34 take a M6 bolt? If so, why do I feel like I'm going to strip the threads?

2) What other mounting kit comes with the OEM rack? What else am I missing?

3) when I place the rack over the bolt holes, there seems to be a large gap between. The rail mounts lie flush on the roof, but the mounting hole on the rack's bracket is about 1/4" above the roof's screw hole. Do I fill that gap with a spacer or something?

Thanks

[Oksamit78]

Since I'm running Thule Aerowing bars on mine, I can answer to #1 only: Yes, the fixed point threads in the rain gutters of F34 are M6 thread. Thread was coated over with paint when car body was painted, thus it feels tight. I have carefully chased the threads with tap to clear paint first.

As for temper proofing - I've used M6 studs with max strength threadlocker into the fixed point and temper proof nuts like these:
,
because security Torx are not that rare (I have a full set of security Torx keys - readily available for purchase all over the Internet). Then all of that is covered by key locked Thule post covers.