[academic]

I should have posted these images LONG AGO (i.e. early last year) but since Thule has just released their “fit kit” for the E90 and E92 vehicles, I thought I should post these now to save some people money. The Thule 460R Podium Aero Fixpoint Foot alone is $235 CAN and you still have to add the Aero or black bars and the 3039 Fit Kit ($548 CAN total for their set-up without the 4 locks that are still required). The BMW Base Rack is only $225 CAN (back in 2006) complete and sits on the roof of the car much better than the Thule system (i.e. even though the BMW system is made by Thule, the Thule 460R Foot actually sits slightly more elevated off the roof). Here are some images of my car using the BMW Base Rack System with Thule attachments (Flat Top 725 6 pair ski / 4 snowboard Carrier and 590 V2 Fork Mount Bike Carrier). Cosmetically, both match the BMW Base Rack system since they are metallic and black in colour. I have not seen any images of members here using the Flat Top Ski Carrier, although I have seen 2 posts using the Thule fork mount bike carriers with very ingenious personal modifications for attachments (mbdurham – attachment mechanism to both the front and rear cross bars) or using a newer Thule bike carrier, the Peleton (RyanE90).

FYI, you will need Xadapt 2 to attach the ski carrier and Xadapt 1 to use the bike carrier. Both are ~$10-12 CAN or ~$6 US. I may purchase some wider t-bolts in the future since the ones that came with the Xadapt system seem somewhat small (in mm2). I also have the BMW Fork Mount (Racing Bike) carrier as well. I prefer the Thule bike carrier for ease of use (the BMW bike carrier uses cloth straps at the rear that are troublesome to “strap” and secure the rear wheel vs. the Thule’s quick “ratchet straps”) but I think the BMW bike carrier (although made by Thule) is actually more sturdy.

I am hoping to add my front fairing in the future but I have to figure out a way to do this with the BMW Base Rack (possibly similar to T-MC-G’s method).

[jwilburn]

Thanks for posting this! I am looking into getting a rack system and this looks like a good option. I still find it crazy that the folding rear seats are part of an option.

[dth656]

i had heard that the "xadapt9" is supposed to provide a better, more secure fit for the BMW base rack aero bars...

[academic]

Originally Posted by jwilburn

Thanks for posting this! I am looking into getting a rack system and this looks like a good option. I still find it crazy that the folding rear seats are part of an option.

Funny thing is I actually have folding seats (I think it's standard in Canada) and since I have a semi-compact frame road bike, the bike would easily fit in the car. I just don't want to scratch my bike (yes the bike comes before the car) and find it easier and convenient to just mount the bike on top of the car.

[TambourineMan]

Anyone got the BMW part numbers for the rack feet and bars for an E92. I have been searching on various BMW parts websites without success.

[ucdbiendog]

This is a super old thread, but perhaps someone can answer my question....
How is the security on the BMW base rack? Are there locks? I just don't want it such that someone can just come up to the car with a screwdriver and rip it off...
Thanks in advance...
~Ryan

[zoolander]

I have a 09 328 touring and the base rack does have a key kock on it.

[ucdbiendog]

Originally Posted by zoolander

I have a 09 328 touring and the base rack does have a key kock on it.

Are you talking about the roof rails that comes as an option on the E91? or did you actually go and buy the rack shown here

[hhkim]

Originally Posted by dth656

i had heard that the "xadapt9" is supposed to provide a better, more secure fit for the BMW base rack aero bars...

+1 I use these in the winter for my ski's. These screws are way more sturdy than the ones that come with the thule rack. Also, the screws that come with the thule rack are too short for the thick bmw oem roof rack. Xadapt9's the only way to get the rack to fit.

I got it at LL Bean online store for about 10 bucks.

[zoolander]

Originally Posted by ucdbiendog

Are you talking about the roof rails that comes as an option on the E91? or did you actually go and buy the rack shown here

I actually bought the base rack system to go on the rails (the rails are standard here in Canada as far as I know).

To that I added the base rack from BMW, and then mounted 2 Thule Sidearms for bike carrying (using the xadapt9 and a box of washers from home depot)....

I'll snap a picture a bit later to show the install...

[zoolander]

or instead of snapping pics....this is the rack...

http://accessories.bmw.ca/internet_b...&absoluteNav=1

[shamoo]

I know this is an old thread, but hopefully the OP is still around.

My Thule flat top 91725 has those stupid clamps riveted to the bottom of it. I need to remove it. How come yours doesn't have those? The plastic clamps are there because it's a universal mount.

Bottom of mine looks like this.



It's riveted in here.



Want it to look like this/yours.

[nyfg56]

Originally Posted by shamoo

I know this is an old thread, but hopefully the OP is still around.

My Thule flat top 91725 has those stupid clamps riveted to the bottom of it. I need to remove it. How come yours doesn't have those? The plastic clamps are there because it's a universal mount.

Bottom of mine looks like this.



It's riveted in here.



Want it to look like this/yours.

Anyone figure out how to remove the rivets?

[m9bm]

Sorry to revive, but does anyone know how to do what the OP did?

My new thread here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17292103