BMW Accessories Roof Rack - anyone have it? Pictures, installation, etc.? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Redshift · 12th October 2004, 04:57

Hi all

I'm considering purchasing BMW's "large" roof rack for my M5. Does anyone have it? I assume it's a pretty easy installation on the existing mounting points on the roof? How hard is it to get on there? How heavy is the rack? Let's see some pictures and hear personal feedback if you have any.

Thank you

Lscman · 12th October 2004, 05:28

I have the "Thule rack for BMW 5er". It fits nicely & screws to factory roof rack mounting bosses. It does not touch the roof panel...only contact is inside the car's rack mounting recess. I can't imagine the OEM rack working, looking or fitting much better.

I think this rack fits more than one BMW, but the BMW-brand unit probably does too. The BMW roof mounting system is fairly standard across their product line. I think only the width varies, so the crossbar on my rack can be set to fit E46 or E39 etc. The crossbar does look a little long, so it may fit 7er. This extra couple inches of width might come in handy if you're putting lots of kayak's and/or bikes on the roof. It won't help for attaching a cargo box, since they are generally 38" wide or less.

Redshift · 12th October 2004, 06:01

Thank you. My plan was to, er, carry some wheels and tires up there for now

If anyone has experience with the factory unit, please let me know.

Lscman, where did you get the Thule and how much did it cost?

mottati · 12th October 2004, 19:01

I also have the Thule rack, just had it on this past weekend with the kids bikes, i took some pics of it and the mounting. I'll try to post tonight.
My buddy at the dealer parts dept told me to not bother with the factory bmw rack back when i had my e46, he referred me to the thule dealer, said the parts are the same, and more flexible. He was right, as that same rack also works on the e39.
I'm planning on getting the "large basket attatchment" to carry track tires too, i've know of a guy with an M coupe who does this with the thule rack.
Mike

Redshift · 12th October 2004, 19:04

If anyone has the proper part numbers for the rack itself and the basket, I'd love to have those! I need to get everything here by Friday.

Lscman · 12th October 2004, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redshift

If anyone has the proper part numbers for the rack itself and the basket, I'd love to have those! I need to get everything here by Friday.

Thule has a very extensive factory web site with pics and literature. I recall visiting it, so try a search.

Redshift · 12th October 2004, 19:19

Did that last night and found only a generic BMW rack system. Do you happen to know what the weight limit of the system is, also? Unless I can fit four wheels and tires up there, or at least 2-3, it will be useless.

Lscman · 12th October 2004, 19:45

Is this 753-BMW rack what you're referring to:

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/inst...274_02,753.pdf

This rack only fits E39 and E46, so it isn't exactly a universal or generic rack. Sounds like Motatti has this same E39/46 rack.

I think most auto roof gutter racks are rated for 150 lbs or less. Even a heavy factory OEM Grand Caravan roof rack that hauls a 25 cu ft cargo box is rated less than that. One tire & wheel weighs about 50#, so it'll be a bit overdutied.

Some folks carry four tires on the roof.....especially those in little sports cars. I transport race tires in the trunk and rear seat area in 36gal garbage bags....although my car does have a trunk well that holds one tire & another tire will fit in the trunk above it. I have not tried to fit three tires in the rear seat, as may be necessary in an M5. The seatbelts restrain 2 tires nicely.

Good luck either way.

Redshift · 12th October 2004, 19:50

Yes, the 753 is the one. I saw it referred to as a BMW generic (or something like that) rack on their site, and looked at the installation PDF and it didn't seem to note application.

Thanks.

I usually use the back seats folded down, but I'm driving to DC first, with my wife and dog and luggage, and need to carry all four track tires and wheels plus the OEM fronts that I'm selling to a guy up there. Hard to get everything in one car, even with the roof rack

mottati · 12th October 2004, 20:29

IIRC, the roof limit is 200kg, so maybe 3 wheels/tires on the roof is ok. In my M5, in the past, i'd throw one wheel in the trunk, one on the back seat floor (with the pass seat fully forward) and the other 2 on the seat itself (all in trash bags, of course!).
Mike