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      12-19-2014, 07:43 PM   #1
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Which Roof Rack??

Trying to decide which roof rack. More accurately - why pay so much more for the Thule version.

Thule - $451

BMW - $220

seems like the clear choice is the BMW. Am I missing something?
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      12-19-2014, 10:22 PM   #2
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Dunno, but I just drove 425 miles using the BMW rack to carry my mountain bike at 75-80 mph. Nice and solid. and easy to put on and take off.
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      12-20-2014, 12:56 AM   #3
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It all depends on what you plan to transport. Bikes are the given, but what about kayaks, cargo boxes, etc.? Not sure if carriers for those would have adapters to mount to the factory crossbars. I had full Yakima components for raised rails, but that obviously wasn't going to work on the F15.
Since I am only ever going to transport bikes or haul lumber, etc., I opted for the factory crossbars which are completely self-contained and easy to install/remove as well as have locks integrated.
Keep an eye for them on eBay. $160 shipped from a Cali dealer!
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      12-20-2014, 11:11 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doanster View Post
It all depends on what you plan to transport. Bikes are the given, but what about kayaks, cargo boxes, etc.? Not sure if carriers for those would have adapters to mount to the factory crossbars. I had full Yakima components for raised rails, but that obviously wasn't going to work on the F15.
Since I am only ever going to transport bikes or haul lumber, etc., I opted for the factory crossbars which are completely self-contained and easy to install/remove as well as have locks integrated.
Keep an eye for them on eBay. $160 shipped from a Cali dealer!
Sounds like the factory rack is the way to go - a good value
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      03-23-2015, 11:18 AM   #5
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I just priced a thule rack and it came to $394.00. The issue I have is I have a bunch of add-ons for the square bar rack that wont fit the BMW factory rack, so I am sort of locked in to thule.

This leads to a question for those who have the thule rack: What length bars do you have? The 2014 thule catalog specified the 50" bars, the 2015 catalog specifies the 58" bars. Will the 50" bars fit? A guy is selling a setup, minus fit kit, with 50" bars and I might consider it if the 50" bars fit properly.
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      03-23-2015, 12:11 PM   #6
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Some people experience excessive wind noise with the BMW OEM bars and that is probably why you pay more for the other versions? I would get the aeroblades instead of the thule or BMW.
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      03-23-2015, 12:14 PM   #7
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The cargo box by BMW is actually made by Thule. Cross bar could be the same as well....certainly have the same kind of keys. At any rate, here is the OEM cross bar paired with a Thule box if it helps: http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1073744
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      03-24-2015, 10:05 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wjbender View Post
Trying to decide which roof rack. More accurately - why pay so much more for the Thule version.

Thule - $451

BMW - $220

seems like the clear choice is the BMW. Am I missing something?
Not sure about the shape of the bars on the BMW one but the thule aeroblades don't generate a lot of noise which appears to be one of the main differentiators for various roof racks. The thule fit, although not BMW OEM, is quite nice with not a lot of overhang. I only put my roof rack on when I need it as it will affect your fuel economy.

This X5 forum has other posts with pictures of the thule rack so search around and you'll find more info.
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      03-24-2015, 08:29 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jhb
I just priced a thule rack and it came to $394.00. The issue I have is I have a bunch of add-ons for the square bar rack that wont fit the BMW factory rack, so I am sort of locked in to thule.

This leads to a question for those who have the thule rack: What length bars do you have? The 2014 thule catalog specified the 50" bars, the 2015 catalog specifies the 58" bars. Will the 50" bars fit? A guy is selling a setup, minus fit kit, with 50" bars and I might consider it if the 50" bars fit properly.
I have 50 inch bars on my x5. I can fit 2 mtn bikes and 2 surf skis or a thule dynamic 800 and two mtn bikes. The surf skis and bikes add plenty of drag but I have never had a issue with the racks.
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      03-24-2015, 08:47 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick lawson View Post
I have 50 inch bars on my x5. I can fit 2 mtn bikes and 2 surf skis or a thule dynamic 800 and two mtn bikes. The surf skis and bikes add plenty of drag but I have never had a issue with the racks.
This would be the reason to go with Thule bars, if you need longer than the BMW bars (which I believe, as Matt Bianco said, are actually made by Thule). If you get "through-bars" instead of "flush bars" like the factory set, they are also easily re-used on any other car with the same type of roof rails, possibly with the purchase of new foot pads instead of all new bars. Naturally, that only matters if you want to use them on more than one vehicle, or are leasing and don't want to buy new bars every 2 to 3 years.. Both of these reasons (more space on longer bars and re-usability) are why I bought the Thule's.

You can see them here and the foot packs easily slide in and out to adjust between cars (ex. if you have 2 that accept the same foot pack but are different sizes).
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1016704

Last edited by chrisny; 03-24-2015 at 08:54 PM..
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      03-24-2015, 08:54 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisny
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick lawson View Post
I have 50 inch bars on my x5. I can fit 2 mtn bikes and 2 surf skis or a thule dynamic 800 and two mtn bikes. The surf skis and bikes add plenty of drag but I have never had a issue with the racks.
This would be the reason to go with Thule bars, if you need longer than the BMW bars (which I believe, as Matt Bianco said, are actually made by Thule). If you get "through-bars" instead of "flush bars" like the factory set, they are also easily re-used on any other car with the same type of roof rails, possibly with the purchase of new foot pads instead of all new bars. Naturally, that only matters if you want to use them on more than one vehicle, or are leasing and don't want to buy new bars every 2 to 3 years.. Both of these reasons (more space on longer bars and re-usability) are why I bought the Thule's.
Pic of 50 inch bars
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      03-24-2015, 09:34 PM   #12
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I still have my OEM rack (had an F15 for 5 months). Was only used twice. Also have a matching (same finish)Yakima WB300. Just taking up space in the garage, PM if interested.
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