Hello.....just bought a '06 550 and was wondering if anyone knows if there is a "Thule Car-Specific Aero Fit Kit" avail. for a 550, so I can use my rack on my 550. I looked on their website, and they don't list that kit anymore....so I'm guessing it's discontinued since I've had the rack for my other car for over 10 years. I've seen the kit listed on REI and such, but they only list the part numbers....so I haven't a clue if they ever even made this for a 550 or what that part number is.
Thanks for any help.....I may have to break down and buy a BMW rack

 

Congrats on your new car and welcome to the forum. I don't know about the Thule system for e60's. The BMW rack system works great and is not expensive. I have used the surfboard, snowboard and ski attachments - they work great. No harm to the roof, easy on & off - I have used them for five years without a problem There are lots of posts and pictures if you search.

 

This is a BMW OEM rack combined with a Thule Rack.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=514168

Enjoy.

 

Here in the UK we can get the 750 foot kit, along with the 1325 fitting kit to allow the Aero bars to be used (127cm or type 869).

I presume it will be the same in your part of the world - this fits all E60's

Mike

 

Yamika makes the only rack(Rail system) besides the OEM one (which I think is made by Yamika) that I've been able to find to fit the E60 body. Love mine, works great. I'm sure your old Thule ski rack/bike rack/whatever rack you got will connect to the Yamika or OEM rails as they all basically attach the same way for the most part.

 

Thule does not make a rack for the e60 like they did for the e39 (1997 to 2003 5 series). Yakima has never made a BMW-specific rack, as far as I know. I bought the BMW base rack and mountain bike holder from the dealer and I am very impressed with the quality and ease of install. I highly recommend the BMW rack system.

 

Thanks for the responses..... I'm not seeing 1325 listed. I'm looking for something similar to these.

 

Yakima is the only company that makes one except for the OEM. Looking that the OEM one my guess would be its design by Yakima (though not a 100% sure on that). I went through this search mid winter last year for skiing and snowboarding rack. I bought the Yakima one as I didn't like the OEM attachment system.

 

BMW's roof rack is made by Saris (not Yakima). It is very high quality and a bargain by BMW OEM standards.

 

How do the prices compare between the yakima and bmw systems? I'm looking for mtn bike trays, the kind you take the front tire off and mount the fork....also snowboard mounts for 2 boards.