[soccerguy]

Scheduled to pick up new F10 550i x-Drive M-sport in 2-3 weeks. I am in need of a roof rack for surfboards and ski/snowboards. I have looked into BMW's racks but would prefer a Thule rack system. Both BMW and Thule have the base rack and the applicable carrying systems for the above 2 activities.

Does anyone have experience with the BMW roof racks vs. Thule racks?

Also, with regard to Thule racks, I went to their website and it does not seem like they have a rack system made specifically for the BMW 2011 F10 5-series yet. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

[SilentHawk]

Originally Posted by soccerguy

Scheduled to pick up new F10 550i x-Drive M-sport in 2-3 weeks. I am in need of a roof rack for surfboards and ski/snowboards. I have looked into BMW's racks but would prefer a Thule rack system. Both BMW and Thule have the base rack and the applicable carrying systems for the above 2 activities.

Does anyone have experience with the BMW roof racks vs. Thule racks?

Also, with regard to Thule racks, I went to their website and it does not seem like they have a rack system made specifically for the BMW 2011 F10 5-series yet. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

I bought a BMW roof rack for my E60 and thought it was so overpriced I swore that I wouldn't buy another one. For my F10 I went to a really helpful Thule dealer and got the complete kit. For the kit sold in the UK (which is probably simliar to the US ?) certain parts are specific to the F10 - there are three "elements": the bars, the part that bolts to the car roof (inside the little flap bits - and these are F10 specific) and the section that bolts to these and connects to the bars. It took about an hour first time fitting to get the hang of it all (I was probably real slow !), and find the correct lengths, but I reckon it'll reduce to about 15 mins next time I do it.

[RC_Hammer]

My new 2011 F10 was delivered a couple of weeks ago and I have bought the Thule bar system. I fitted them today and it was relatively straightforward. Aside from the bars you require a specific foot pack (Thule Rapid System 753) and a specific fixing pack (Kit 3089 Fixpoint XT) to fit into the roof fixing points. I went for the plain square profile ones (Thule Square Bar 761) rather than the aero versions. I didn't see the point of paying extra for these and the Thule versions are also cheaper than the BMW versions, at least here in the UK.

I can't compare them to the BMW versions but the basic Thule bars seem perfectly fine to me.

[KRUZNM3]

any pictures? I would love to see the fitment also i want to see what it looks like compared to the one that BMW offers.

Originally Posted by RC_Hammer

My new 2011 F10 was delivered a couple of weeks ago and I have bought the Thule bar system. I fitted them today and it was relatively straightforward. Aside from the bars you require a specific foot pack (Thule Rapid System 753) and a specific fixing pack (Kit 3089 Fixpoint XT) to fit into the roof fixing points. I went for the plain square profile ones (Thule Square Bar 761) rather than the aero versions. I didn't see the point of paying extra for these and the Thule versions are also cheaper than the BMW versions, at least here in the UK.

I can't compare them to the BMW versions but the basic Thule bars seem perfectly fine to me.

[scottz5]

Originally Posted by KRUZN335

any pictures? I would love to see the fitment also i want to see what it looks like compared to the one that BMW offers.

Copy that, getting ready for skiing!

[rmastale]

I'm picking up my bmw base rack tomorrow and will post pics when i can.

[soccerguy]

Thx guys. I am leaning towards a Thule rack. Anyone know how to find a retailer who can install?

[scottz5]

Originally Posted by soccerguy

Thx guys. I am leaning towards a Thule rack. Anyone know how to find a retailer who can install?

You can do it yourself.

[rmastale]

They're very easy to install. I've done many thule rack installs. FYI... Picking the rack up monday so i'll post after that.

[soccerguy]

great looking forward to seeing pics

[scottz5]

Originally Posted by soccerguy

great looking forward to seeing pics

Pictures coming soon of my Thule rack, ordered mine yesterday.

[rmastale]

OK, here are some pics of the BMW rack. It's hard to review; because is pretty simple yet very f'ing hard to put on all at the same time. What I dislike most is the gap that between the rack and the area of the roof where it's mounted (see pics). Once it's on; it's very solid and I like the look of it in general (wouldn't keep the rack on... it's not an suv).

I would worry about all the moisture getting into roof channels if I used this rack in any type of inclement weather... anxious to see how the thule fits.

[scottz5]

^ like your rims, that gap is rather large on the rack. I know the Thule rack is flush. As soon as mine comes in will post picks. I also sent my stock 19's to the powder coater. Doing gloss black with snow tires. Winter is on it's way and with no suv in our house my car will be the winter ride.

[rmastale]

Originally Posted by scottz5

^ like your rims, that gap is rather large on the rack. I know the Thule rack is flush. As soon as mine comes in will post picks. I also sent my stock 19's to the powder coater. Doing gloss black with snow tires. Winter is on it's way and with no suv in our house my car will be the winter ride.

The gap is definitely large. Too large IMO. There also isn't any rubber base attached to the rack to close that space up. At first I was worried about the plastic feet of the bars against the paint but they don't even reach. lol.

[RC_Hammer]

There is also a gap with the Thule bars. I suspect both the BMW and Thule bars may be designed that way to prevent rubbing on the paint. I'm not able to post any pictures yet since I'm on holiday/vacation (hence why I needed the roof bars!) and don't have the facilities. I will do when I return unless someone else posts some pictures first.

[Ryanb]

Hi. Did you have any problems with screwing the boltG into the holes in the roof. The bolts I received in the 3089 pack appear to be a little big. I did not want to force them in case I damaged the threads.

[SilentHawk]

Originally Posted by Ryanb

Hi. Did you have any problems with screwing the boltG into the holes in the roof. The bolts I received in the 3089 pack appear to be a little big. I did not want to force them in case I damaged the threads.

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.

[Needsdecaf]

RMastale: what wheels are those?

[rmastale]

They're off a 2012 650i. BMW oem.

[RC_Hammer]

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.

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.

[scottz5]

Got my areo bars back from the powder coater today and installed my Thule rack. Gap is bigger then I thought it would be. Pictures to follow.

[scottz5]

Originally Posted by rmastale

OK, here are some pics of the BMW rack. It's hard to review; because is pretty simple yet very f'ing hard to put on all at the same time. What I dislike most is the gap that between the rack and the area of the roof where it's mounted (see pics). Once it's on; it's very solid and I like the look of it in general (wouldn't keep the rack on... it's not an suv).

I would worry about all the moisture getting into roof channels if I used this rack in any type of inclement weather... anxious to see how the thule fits.

Don't worry about water it always gets in there. Car has holes that let it drain.