Opinions on E36 BMW Roof Racks? - United Bimmer Community

**delmarco** · 09-27-2005, 10:15 PM

The BMW addition packages seem expensive..but the BMW Profile 2000 base rack is about $100 cheaper than the Thule one.

I'm planning on do lots of trips whiles down here. So far I got kayaking/Canoeing in Texas with my old friend from Forthworth.
And I want to start surfing and such since the beach is near and there is nothing else to do here...I already got a great deal on a board...anyway..eventually I'm going to need a roof rack.

I was wondering what is good brand for racks for our BMWs?
Can you use a Thule Ski/Surf rack on a BMW brand base rack?

DEATH2000 · 09-27-2005, 11:32 PM

Sorry to say but they look absolutley friggin horrbile. Roof rack + BMW= No no.

But if the BMW Profile one is $100 cheaper i would suggest going with that one for 2 reasons, its cheaper and its BMW. Its always better to go with something from BMW rather than an aftermarket one, specially if it is cheaper. Also it shouldnt really matter which brand you use, as long as its installed properly. If it is, and it works properly then ur good to go.

**Spieluhr** · 09-27-2005, 11:37 PM

you don't need a roof rack.

you need a bus pass.

**Chris** · 09-27-2005, 11:53 PM

let me point something out. you may live in the south, but you live in tallahasee. thats at least 16 hours to the texas state line. you will not drive your BMW that far.

**Dudesky** · 09-28-2005, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarco

The BMW addition packages seem expensive..but the BMW Profile 2000 base rack is about $100 cheaper than the Thule one . . . I was wondering what is good brand for racks for our BMWs?
Can you use a Thule Ski/Surf rack on a BMW brand base rack?

Take some advice from a mountain biker . . Get a Thule or Yakima base rack. It may cost a little more, but in the end you will save and be able to reuse. Remember that you get what you pay for. These two brands have been in this business long before anyone else, and have excellent track records.

First off, all base racks use the same attachment method for the particular car, since there are only so many ways to do it. But that is where the similarities end, and the parts are not interchangeable between brands. Thule uses square load bars, Yakima uses round, and BMW uses their own proprietary system altogether. Those are the only 3 brands you should consider; anything else will be iffy as far as reliability and safety. Trust me on this- you do not want your kayak or your Cannondale going through the windshield of the guy behind you = BAD!

Now comes the tricky part- accessories. Whichever of the 3 brands of base rack you buy, their accessories will not work with the other two. However, there are accessory companies like Saris and Rocky Mounts which make stuff that fits both Thule and Yakima, but not BMW. And you can also save bucks if you buy this stuff on eBay, and you'll have more stuff to choose from, as opposed to the BMW stuff.

3rd, if you ever buy a different car, you won't be able to use the BMW base rack on it. But with Thule or Yakima, all you have to do is get new footpacks for the new car, and sell off the old ones on eBay or Craigs List. And Thule / Yakima parts will sell much faster than any car manufacturer's brand.

By the way, BavAuto sells the E36 Thule base rack system for $163 complete, compared to BMW's Profile 2000 which goes for $175.

**delmarco** · 09-28-2005, 10:39 AM

Thanks Dudesky!!!
I'll guess I'll go with the Thule for $163.

**breden** · 09-28-2005, 10:41 AM

good points^

not having known that, my sis has the bmw racks on her car and they work just fine

**94bmw325i** · 09-28-2005, 02:01 PM

Thule works well from personal experiences I have had with them. Have two thules right now.

**RealBmw 02** · 09-28-2005, 03:18 PM

del, are you referring to the racks that you can put on and then take off when you are finished? I hope you are not thinking about fastening something into your roof for good.

**Chris** · 09-28-2005, 03:27 PM

anything on the rood of a bimmer that doesn't have the letter X and the number 5 is hideous. unfortunately these would be permanent....

**catalyst** · 09-28-2005, 04:04 PM

I think they look great on e36's, especially with the thule wind deflector.. you could slap a BMW Motorsport decal on the face of the wind deflector.. would look sick.

Storamin · 09-28-2005, 04:27 PM

hahaahahahaa...

no they're ugly.

**projal147** · 09-28-2005, 05:19 PM

just dont do it. Period.

**Dudesky** · 09-28-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisdoesntknow

anything on the rood of a bimmer that doesn't have the letter X and the number 5 is hideous. unfortunately these would be permanent....

They're not. They use compression clips on the feet which can also lock with an optional keylock system. It takes less than 10min to remove the base rack. But a lot of people leave them on because they use them frequently, or are too lazy to take them off.