Aftermarket bike racks

meshguy · 07-10-2008, 08:36 AM

edit: will a Thule fairing mount to an OEM e92 rack? Any part number or links would be greatly appreciated.

TaTaToothy · 07-10-2008, 09:21 AM

Why would you go aftermarket when the mounts for the BMW rack (which I believe IS a Thule rack) are built right into the car? As a guy who has seen two cars develop rust at the mounting points for Yakima racks, I find this one of the most appealing features of the entire car. My understanding is that Thule mounts will bolt right onto the BMW rack, and it should be just as strong (and perhaps stronger) than a Thule-branded rack, since it is hard-mounted to the car rather than being clamped on.

meshguy · 07-10-2008, 10:47 AM

actually, after looking into it, i do want an OEM rack.

is it possible to mount a Thule fairing to the OEM rack?

TaTaToothy · 07-10-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meshguy

actually, after looking into it, i do want an OEM rack.

is it possible to mount a Thule fairing to the OEM rack?

I'm not sure. I will say that after a bit of research, I find that Thule makes a rack specifically to mount on the BMW mounting points: http://www.prolineracks.com/thule-46...foot-pack.html. Using this would definitely allow you to use Thule accessories, but I'm a little confused by it because the Thule website says it still requires a fit kit and I'm not sure why it would. I think you can use Thule mounts and fairings with the OEM one, but honestly I'm not positive. I have only had my E90 for a few months and haven't yet bought a roof rack.

cbad335 · 07-10-2008, 08:47 PM

When I purchased my previous E90, an '06 330i, I needed racks. At that time, neither Thule nor Yakima had made them to fit the E90's built-in mounting points. What I did was purchase the OEM load bars, then mount Thule bike trays on the BMW load bars. All I had to do was obtain a larger washer for the bolt that goes up through the bar and into the tray. Worked like a charm. But to answer your question, I don't know if the "fairing" will fit, but then again, I don't know why anyone would want to put that large plastic advertising strip on such a nice car. To cut down wind noise/whistling, just make sure to put the rubber stripping in the groove along the top of the load bars. When you mount the trays, just punch a small hole through the rubber strip for the bolt that secures the tray.

meshguy · 07-12-2008, 04:10 PM

thanks guys. will do some more research.

as for the fairing, i just think racks look better with one.

dth656 · 07-13-2008, 11:00 AM

actually, the OEM BMW racks are NOT a thule standard cross bar available in the US. i know this because i purchased the OEM BMW base rack w/ the intention of using Thule or Yakima attachments. the channel in the OEM BMW base rack cross bars is deeper, and its opening wider, than the Thule aerobar, so the XAdapt9 doesnt work as well as advertised. I purchased some steel washers and trimmed them a fit for more security .

dth656 · 07-13-2008, 11:04 AM

cbad335, i just now read your post. thats exactly what i did, the square bolts that came w/ the Thule XAdapt9 really made me nervouse (i'm using two pelotons bike mounts). i took my car w/ two bikes on top from SF to LA a couple of months ago, and it was solid (we hit up to 110m ph) that being said, i prefer the more solid feel of the yakima steelheads that i used to have on my corolla (there isnt as much flex in the skewer portion)

dakine · 07-13-2008, 05:52 PM

why not go for a trailer hitch setup... that way you can take it off when you don't need it. The good ones come with a locking cable built into the rack and the ability to fold out so you don't damage your car when attaching a bike or 2 or 3 or 4. you could also have someone weld a loop on and attach a kryptonite cable or something. I think that's the type of setup i'm going with.

07-10-2008, 08:36 AM	#1
meshguy Private 6 Rep 88 Posts Drives: e92 335 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SE iTrader: (0)	Aftermarket bike racks edit: will a Thule fairing mount to an OEM e92 rack? Any part number or links would be greatly appreciated. Last edited by meshguy; 07-10-2008 at 10:48 AM..
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07-10-2008, 09:21 AM	#2
TaTaToothy First Lieutenant 11 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2006 330i and 2002 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (1)	Why would you go aftermarket when the mounts for the BMW rack (which I believe IS a Thule rack) are built right into the car? As a guy who has seen two cars develop rust at the mounting points for Yakima racks, I find this one of the most appealing features of the entire car. My understanding is that Thule mounts will bolt right onto the BMW rack, and it should be just as strong (and perhaps stronger) than a Thule-branded rack, since it is hard-mounted to the car rather than being clamped on. __________________ 2006 330i - 6MT - Monaco Blue over black and burl walnut - Sport, Premium and Cold Weather packages and Comfort Access 2002 M3 - 6MT - Jet Black over black leather - Xenon, power seats and H/K - no sunroof
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07-10-2008, 10:47 AM	#3
meshguy Private 6 Rep 88 Posts Drives: e92 335 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SE iTrader: (0)	actually, after looking into it, i do want an OEM rack. is it possible to mount a Thule fairing to the OEM rack?
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07-10-2008, 08:47 PM	#5
cbad335 Lieutenant Colonel 62 Rep 1,736 Posts Drives: '09 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA iTrader: (17) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i Coupe [7.34]	When I purchased my previous E90, an '06 330i, I needed racks. At that time, neither Thule nor Yakima had made them to fit the E90's built-in mounting points. What I did was purchase the OEM load bars, then mount Thule bike trays on the BMW load bars. All I had to do was obtain a larger washer for the bolt that goes up through the bar and into the tray. Worked like a charm. But to answer your question, I don't know if the "fairing" will fit, but then again, I don't know why anyone would want to put that large plastic advertising strip on such a nice car. To cut down wind noise/whistling, just make sure to put the rubber stripping in the groove along the top of the load bars. When you mount the trays, just punch a small hole through the rubber strip for the bolt that secures the tray.
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07-12-2008, 04:10 PM	#6
meshguy Private 6 Rep 88 Posts Drives: e92 335 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SE iTrader: (0)	thanks guys. will do some more research. as for the fairing, i just think racks look better with one.
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07-13-2008, 11:00 AM	#7
dth656 First Lieutenant 36 Rep 395 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: ASCII iTrader: (0)	actually, the OEM BMW racks are NOT a thule standard cross bar available in the US. i know this because i purchased the OEM BMW base rack w/ the intention of using Thule or Yakima attachments. the channel in the OEM BMW base rack cross bars is deeper, and its opening wider, than the Thule aerobar, so the XAdapt9 doesnt work as well as advertised. I purchased some steel washers and trimmed them a fit for more security . __________________ go bears
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07-13-2008, 11:04 AM	#8
dth656 First Lieutenant 36 Rep 395 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: ASCII iTrader: (0)	cbad335, i just now read your post. thats exactly what i did, the square bolts that came w/ the Thule XAdapt9 really made me nervouse (i'm using two pelotons bike mounts). i took my car w/ two bikes on top from SF to LA a couple of months ago, and it was solid (we hit up to 110m ph) that being said, i prefer the more solid feel of the yakima steelheads that i used to have on my corolla (there isnt as much flex in the skewer portion) __________________ go bears
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07-13-2008, 05:52 PM	#9
dakine Private First Class 23 Rep 192 Posts Drives: mineral white e92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: on location iTrader: (0)	why not go for a trailer hitch setup... that way you can take it off when you don't need it. The good ones come with a locking cable built into the rack and the ability to fold out so you don't damage your car when attaching a bike or 2 or 3 or 4. you could also have someone weld a loop on and attach a kryptonite cable or something. I think that's the type of setup i'm going with.
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