[DaleHeinz]

Anyone have the OEM crossbars/roofrack? I'm interested in getting them for the occasional ski/snowboarding trip with the wife, but not sure if OEM is the route to go or if Thule or Yakima would be a better option.

All opinions and "flames" are welcome.

[jmwilson125]

Originally Posted by DaleHeinz

Anyone have the OEM crossbars/roofrack? I'm interested in getting them for the occasional ski/snowboarding trip with the wife, but not sure if OEM is the route to go or if Thule or Yakima would be a better option.

All opinions and "flames" are welcome.

I run them occasionally for my mountain bike. I think they look good, install easily, and we're a fair price. They do whistle for 20-40 mph though. It's pretty annoying, but I've read that strategyly placed tape can solve that issue.

You should expect increased wind noise from any rack though. Maybe another option doesn't whistle as badly though.

[Marmugmotleocay]

I have them and only run them for my mountain bikes. I tried leaving them on but it is loud and annoying. The OEM rack is made by Thule. It does look nice though.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Marmugmotleocay

I have them and only run them for my mountain bikes. I tried leaving them on but it is loud and annoying. The OEM rack is made by Thule. It does look nice though.

I also have the OEM rack by Thule. Works great and carries road bikes in my case.

I also take it off when I am not caring bikes. It takes less than 5 minutes to put it on or take it off.

[DaleHeinz]

Awesome. Good to hear this. Roof rack I have on the wife's car makes some noise as well, but I guess that's par for the course on any of them. If it goes on and comes off in 5min or less, that would be an easy solution for a ski trip to save room on the car and not have to put the back seat down to load skis and a board.

[jmwilson125]

Originally Posted by DaleHeinz

Awesome. Good to hear this. Roof rack I have on the wife's car makes some noise as well, but I guess that's par for the course on any of them. If it goes on and comes off in 5min or less, that would be an easy solution for a ski trip to save room on the car and not have to put the back seat down to load skis and a board.

Yeah, the most difficult part is carrying it out of the basement. It's comes with the Allen key and it's 4 bolts.

I just keep the Allen key in the glove box. I also like the locking feature so that it would be more difficult to steal.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by jmwilson125

Yeah, the most difficult part is carrying it out of the basement. It's comes with the Allen key and it's 4 bolts.

I just keep the Allen key in the glove box. I also like the locking feature so that it would be more difficult to steal.

I also keep the key in my glove box.

[harma24]

No, I don't have roof racks. However, if it's just the two of you, you probably won't need racks. Just fold the rear seats down. I have easily fit 2 pairs of skis in my car, including my friends skis which are 190's. Folding down the rear seats is a lot faster than mounting / demounting a roof rack.

[DaleHeinz]

Originally Posted by harma24

No, I don't have roof racks. However, if it's just the two of you, you probably won't need racks. Just fold the rear seats down. I have easily fit 2 pairs of skis in my car, including my friends skis which are 190's. Folding down the rear seats is a lot faster than mounting / demounting a roof rack.

This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

[DaleHeinz]

Pulled the trigger on the OEM rack today. Will have to wait until tomorrow to install it when the rain stops.

Anyone had issues with frequent removal and worrying about stripping the bolts? I don't plan on keeping it on the car and will only use it when needed. Probably a couple times a month at most.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by DaleHeinz

Pulled the trigger on the OEM rack today. Will have to wait until tomorrow to install it when the rain stops.

Anyone had issues with frequent removal and worrying about stripping the bolts? I don't plan on keeping it on the car and will only use it when needed. Probably a couple times a month at most.

Mine has been on and off at least 30 times. Never had a problem with stripping the bolts.

[DaleHeinz]

Originally Posted by DanG

Mine has been on and off at least 30 times. Never had a problem with stripping the bolts.

Cool. Thanks.

Ended up pulling the car in the garage and drying out the rails. Went on pretty easy the first time. A few small adjustments to get the correct width locked in, but nothing too bad. Seems pretty robust and screws seems easy and secure. Pretty happy with it over all. Wind noise is substantial but nothing I haven't heard before. I guess it's tolerable for trips but definitely wouldn't run with them on all the time.

[NVHoo]

Another consideration is that it reduces gas mileage about 10%, even with nothing mounted on the rack. So another reason, in addition to noise, to remove it when not in use.

[DaleHeinz]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

Another consideration is that it reduces gas mileage about 10%, even with nothing mounted on the rack. So another reason, in addition to noise, to remove it when not in use.

My foot reduces gas mileage by about 30%. Haha. Seriously though, I'm aware. The wife loves the look of her cross bars, but we've seen the gas mileage go down a bit on her VW. The noise is what gets me though. Annoying for a daily driver.

[serko ex]

What's everyone thoughts on, a single surfboard in the trunk with the rear seats down? doable or not?

I'm trying to avoid having to install roof rack/rails for reasons already mention.

[Le frog]

Originally Posted by serko ex

What's everyone thoughts on, a single surfboard in the trunk with the rear seats down? doable or not?

I'm trying to avoid having to install roof rack/rails for reasons already mention.

Absolutely. My 6’4” board fits in no problem.

[MartyMcFly88MPH]

I have them with an Inno cargo box. It stays on all winter and works great. My only issue is the annoying whistle, so I stuffed putty in the crack that causes it.

[Marmugmotleocay]

Originally Posted by MartyMcFly88MPH

I have them with an Inno cargo box. It stays on all winter and works great. My only issue is the annoying whistle, so I stuffed putty in the crack that causes it.

Crack?

[MartyMcFly88MPH]

Originally Posted by Marmugmotleocay

Crack?

Poor word choice. The little gap where the tower closes together.

[designatedposter]

i tried tape on that gap, didn't make a difference..

[pit1]

Anyone know if the OEM rails are adjustable to fit different models?

I have an old E90 set and an E82 set, hoping it would fit on the F87. I know the widths are adjustable, but can't figure out if you can adjust the angle of the mounting feet.

[davidk]

Having come from an E82 (128i), I was hoping the roof rack for that car would fit my M2, but nope. The racks are adjustable for width, but you will not be able to change the angle of the mounting feet. That is fixed, and is not adjustable. They came close to fitting, but not close enough.