Feedback on Thule 753 rack? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

phid_bombadier · 5th January 2007, 06:41

I just picked one of these up and am trying to figure out if I'm missing something with the mounting point on the roof.

It seems like each base would be sitting on points/edges instead of flat feet like the BMW profile rack base.
(Picture the Thule base attaching to the roof with a "|" piece and the BMW profile with a "L" looking piece.)
Both secure with a bolt. (1 per base)

Just wanted to see if my 5 is missing something inside the channel or not.

Thanks.
--Mike

mottati · 5th January 2007, 07:15

i think you have the right rack. I have the thule rack, i believe its the 753, but not totally sure. It's designed for the e39 and e46. You open up the little doors in the roof channel and the feet sit on the threaded inserts, bolts right on and works great. The 'feet' are not flat, so i think what you're saying is correct. (a picture would help)
Mike

phid_bombadier · 5th January 2007, 10:06

Yup, were talking about the same thing.

I only raise the concern because it just doesn't seem like a great design (but who am I to question the Thule guys)... When I search online or on ebay for photos of the BMW one you can see the brackets are flat at the bottom.

Thule hasn't let me down in the past so I'm just going to let my gorilla mech-e rest for a while...

--Mike

AndrewBailey · 7th January 2007, 17:15

I got one of these racks with a top box for the Christmas trip to France and the bars and box held on tight despite speeds up to three digits. Cruised at 90 ish and they were solid as a rock.

The only issue I had was the threads on the insert on the BMW were painted and required much cleaning before I could put the rack on. Once on it was very solid and stable.

On removal the roof channel looks a little dirty but otherwise fine.