We have a new addition to the family and we will all soon be off down to Cornwall to visit relatives.

Does anyone know anything about roof boxes? I will need to get one for the trip.

I'm worried about damaging my paintwork where the rack will fit to the car, has anyone had any experience with a BMW approved roof box?

I have a saloon so it looks as though I will need the rails/rack plus the box, can anyone tell me how much it will all cost to buy? (Can you rent them?)

 

All you need to know is here:

www.roofbox.co.uk

I bought a box and bars for my e46 coupe and have just got replacement bars (atera - delivered yesterday) that will go on my e60 for a family holiday next week from these guys who are really knowledgable and helpful.

I am quite confident that you will find what you need

 

Thanks 'Needforspeed' I'll give them a call

 

I can also vouch for roofbox.co.uk. I purchased a Fapa roofbox with Thule 'aero' bars, for my A4 Avant, from them about 3 years ago. I opted for a slightly more expensive box because it was so much better than the cheap and nasty Halfords type ones. The Fapa roofbox has 3 point single key locking, is guaranteed for 5 years and has a lovely metallic paint type finish which will not fade in the sun unlike the more common grey plastic finishes of the cheaper boxes. Roofbox.co.uk also gave me a free strap hoist to keep it safely stored in my garge. I will be ordering some new feet from them for my existing bars to fit the roof of my new E60 due in 6 weeks.

 

You might find you need to order new bars as well. The ones from my e46 coupe weren't long enough.

I ended up ordering an altera roof bar system which includes the feet - good price though at ?80 and it looks easy to install.

Anyone in the UK interested in slightly used thule feet and bars for an e46 coupe for a modest price ?

 

I have got the Thule bars and box and have found them flexible having used them across the e39 and e60 BMW's and both Audi A4's (just by a new adaptor kit each time) over ten years. Just make sure that the rubber feet of the bars and the car roof are clean to prevent dirt getting into the contact surfaces and becoming abrasive.

 

My Thule roof bars stick out by about 12 inches either side across the width of my A4 Avant roof rails. I know the E60 is a bigger car but I'm hoping its not that much wider!

 

The Thule bars for my little e46 coupe are just 108 cms and the recommended Thule bars for the e60 are 127 cms.

The recommended bars for the a4 avant are 120cm and the atera bars and feet I have bought are 122cms.

If your a4 bars stick out that much it sound like they are 120cm plus - so you should be alright