rubencr

Hello Everybody. This is my first post.

I am trying to find options for bike and ski/board carriers that utilize the factory rails. The BMW accessories, as well as Thule are quite ugly and rather crudely integrated. Anyone aware of a cleaner setup?

I would also like to know if it is possible to remove the rails, as find the E61 without the rails to look nice. Is it practical to remove the rails and reinstall as needed?

Thanks in advance for any advice - I'll be watching for responses.

Craig

new-kid

I use the Thule stuff - got it for a previous car and transfered over. Personally find the Thule gear great and very neat.
Always remove the cross bars as soon as the load is removed, to reduce wind noise. Never tried to remove the main roof rails - again personal preference is they improve the looks, but seems likely to be a load of hassle to take on and offa

r.a.i.d

Hello! And welcome!!!

I have also the Thule roof racks, bike carriers (2xproride 591) and a box. They are
from my previous car aswell. The quality of thule is ok and they are wery useable products.

For my eyes they dont look too bad, and then again you should never keep the carriers, box or rails on
if you dont use them for something. (wind noise and encreased fuel consumption)

I personally don?t know any stealthy carriers wich can be used in e61 - propably not existed.

Removing roof rails? I would say, not possible. Or maybe profesional body shop can do it, and then cover up the
holes in roof etc... But on and off solution - not possible

inmediate

I also have the Thule cross bars which I have keeped from two previous cars : Volvo SW and Saab SW

So far so good ; I use them for surfboards and sonwboards with excellent result.

Removing roof factory bars? Not for me. I find a SW with the bars, much more sexy!


Kind regards from Spain

Tiago

I bought mine with the rails too, but since i never use it i asked to the my BMW local dealer if it were possible to remove it to improve fuel economy and drag cx. They told me that oem rails are screwed by the inside, so to remove them they have to remove the roof interior. After this i decided to leave them on.

rubencr

OK, so it seems that removal of the factory rails is a no-go.

There appears to be a consensus on the Thule system with the factory rails. Which "rail foot" are you using to attach the load bars to the factory rail? I have found only one option available through US-based dealers, the 450 "Cross Road" model that uses a metal strap around the rail. In the UK, I found a model 755 "Rapid System" that looks cleaner. Anybody know anything about these two solutions - differences, availability in US, etc.?

Thanks,

Craig

whackit

check out my post [topic="35065"]here[/topic] if you want factory looking crossbars.