[scottz5]

Here are the pics. I wish the rubber feet were sitting tighter to the car. I had the areo bars PC black. My coater is trying to do the ski rack now, so that it will be all black. Very happy with the rack.

[x-fibre]

I have the new Aeroblades from Thule on 2011 F10. I found that depending on region the system changes its name.

NON-US:
Thule Rapid System 753
Thule WingBar 961
Kit 3089 Fixpoint XT

US:
460R Rapid Podium Foot Pack
ARB47 AeroBlade Load Bar Pair
KIT3089

Nevertheless, I experience a gap too and there is wind noise over 40-50mph. Is that normal? The new aeroblades were supposed to be the quietest ones.
Let me know, as I am thinking about switching to the BMW OEM rack. If you guys want I can post pictures. Thanks.

[pogodog]

The BMW rack system cross/load bars sits much higher than the Thule and will have more wind noise because of this. The Thule fairing is the best way to reduce wind noise if you don't mind the looks. I have used Thule for over 27 years in the bicycle touring business and they offer more sport /luggage attachments than anyone and are very strong. You can also cut the length of the load bars to get a custom width for your specific roof width.

[islandnipper]

Originally Posted by SilentHawk

The first time I screwed them on I had to go easy, and sight carefully for the correct perpendicular as there was a fair amount of paint clogging up the thread in the roof fitting and they initially appeared not to fit. I used the same approach as you would cutting a thread with a tap & die set where you turn a little, turn it back, turn a little more etc. Since then it's been fine.

Originally Posted by RC_Hammer

I had to do the same. Got to the point where I felt I was forcing them, unscrewed and then screwed a bit further each time. Now they go on and off nice and easy.

Really useful info; I have a BMW set of bars waiting in their box for my attention (my F10 is only a week old so haven't got round to a trial fitting yet). Any other tips for the first fitting will be much appreciated, now that you have been in the vanguard and sorted yours...

Cheers!

[calnago]

For you guys that are using the BMW roof rack on your 5 series, how many threads areyou getting engaged in the bolts that attach the rack to the four posts in the roof. On one I only get 3 and half full turns or so. The others 4 -5. Yet I can take the bolt provided to clear the paint from the threads and turn that 10 full turns, so I know there's more threads available. Just seems like three full threads is not much to be holding it with a load. I just got my 535 last week and am just fitting the new rack. Prior to this I had a 2007 550i and also had the BMW rack but it did not have the posts and used a different fit system.

Thanks

[Jdrt]

Scottz,

What size Thule fairing is that? Looks like the 36 inch. Is it the 44?

[rmastale]

I love bmw rack... Love it.

[raleedy]

BMW rack on my car is entirely satisfactory, easy to put on and take off. The gap is intentional, designed to protect the paint, as another comment above notes. You wouldn't want that hardware flush with the paint. No drainage or corrosion issues, either, after almost six years of (intermittent) use.

[LastFrontierBimmer]

I do a lot of cycling so I've had roof racks on all my past cars, with the exception of one, on which I used a hitch rack. Don't want to put a hitch on the F10 so I purchased all the figment for a Thule system. I began to thread the mounting bolts into the roof and couldn't bring myself to do it. Between the paint clogging the threads and making me fear cross-threading the roof; and the extremely minimal clearance between the threaded Thule bolt and the lovely paint on the edge of the roof hole/slot, I lost my nerve. But I still want a roof rack so I can use the damn car to its fullest. Any words of instruction, encouragement or enlightenment those of you successful DIY'ers can offer?

[ausfahrt]

Here's mine http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=807453
I purchased the Aeroblade so you don't need the fairing.

Thule parts that I purchased:

460R Rapid Podium Foot Pack
ARB47 AeroBlade Load Bar Pair
KIT3089

I didn't have any noise when I drove from Missouri to Florida. For all the people who are hearing noise with the Aeroblade you have to make sure that all the holes are covered on the Aeroblade especially on the end near the foot pack. I didn't get the BMW ones because I saw one and the black started to fade. It faded to a gray color.

[tmac99]

Looks great Scottz5. I have the same setup on my 550. see you in the water..