Location for OEM crossbars to reduce wind noise

[vegasandre]

Just purchased a pair of OEM cross bars at a great price.

So easy to install...
(I was looking for whispbars and Thule but hard to find and too much $$$)


question- I keep my Base bars on permanently on my other cars and looking to do the same with the X5

what exact position do you have the bars that best reduces the wind noise?
(not concerned with the boxes -yet just the base bars)

I have moved them in various locations based on some pics from this site but haven't found the one that works yet.

thank you

[redline9001]

I will take a look tomorrow at my locations, wife has the x5 right now. I played around with the bar locations when I first got them.

[Florida-X3]

The manual states not to leave the bars on when not in use, after the initial installations they only take 5 minutes to put on. The manual also states the exact location to install them. I trust the engineers have identified these locations based on the roof structure, sunroof, etc.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by vegasandre

Just purchased a pair of OEM cross bars at a great price.

So easy to install...
(I was looking for whispbars and Thule but hard to find and too much $$$)


question- I keep my Base bars on permanently on my other cars and looking to do the same with the X5

what exact position do you have the bars that best reduces the wind noise?
(not concerned with the boxes -yet just the base bars)

I have moved them in various locations based on some pics from this site but haven't found the one that works yet.

thank you

Make sure you got rubber cover strips that go onto bars - they reduce noise a bit. Max weight is 220lbs. Sunroof is not affected in anyway - there's plenty of clearance. I played with my bars a bit, especially front one, but I don't remember what I did exactly (I think I moved my front one a bit forward so it was a bit tilted down - to kinda dive into air flow that comes from the windshield). Some sound is still present on highway speeds, but barely audible.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by Florida-X5

The manual states not to leave the bars on when not in use, after the initial installations they only take 5 minutes to put on. The manual also states the exact location to install them. I trust the engineers have identified these locations based on the roof structure, sunroof, etc.

Also there're stickers on door jabs for exact locations.

But I can't think of any reason not to leave the bars on other than that fraction of MPG it costs, which is so anti-efficientDynamics...

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by smyles

Also there're stickers on door jabs for exact locations.

But I can't think of any reason not to leave the bars on other than that fraction of MPG it costs, which is so anti-efficientDynamics...

Correct but you (the owner) put these stickers on. Hence the short installation time after the very first installation. Probably no harm leaving them on other that efficiency, clearance and noise. Goodness knows there is enough wind noise already.

[gtrsam]

I have mine pushed towards the rear probably around 6". Looked odd having it at the factory positions. Looked way too much towards the front. Also looks more similar to my Audi q7s position. I don't notice any wind noise on the highway. Maybe it's because my crappy run flats are so damn loud

[vegasandre]

Originally Posted by redline9001

I will take a look tomorrow at my locations, wife has the x5 right now. I played around with the bar locations when I first got them.

thank you ! I have tried the location in the manual but wasn't too happy with that one.

If anyone has a position that they are satisfied with , please let me know

thanks

[smyles]

Originally Posted by Florida-X5

Correct but you (the owner) put those stickers on...

Previous owner then. Damn, I gave BMW too much credit...

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by smyles

Previous owner then. Damn, I gave BMW too much credit...

[chrisc151]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Make sure you got rubber cover strips that go onto bars - they reduce noise a bit. Max weight is 220lbs. Sunroof is not affected in anyway - there's plenty of clearance. I played with my bars a bit, especially front one, but I don't remember what I did exactly (I think I moved my front one a bit forward so it was a bit tilted down - to kinda dive into air flow that comes from the windshield). Some sound is still present on highway speeds, but barely audible.

The rubber cover strips are key to reducing wind noise...

[vegasandre]

Originally Posted by gtrsam

I have mine pushed towards the rear probably around 6". Looked odd having it at the factory positions. Looked way too much towards the front. Also looks more similar to my Audi q7s position. I don't notice any wind noise on the highway. Maybe it's because my crappy run flats are so damn loud

Thank you , is there any chance you can upload a pic or two when ever you can?

Appreciate it

[gtrsam]

Originally Posted by vegasandre

Thank you , is there any chance you can upload a pic or two when ever you can?

Appreciate it

Hope this helps

[DuSh]

Here's mine

[vegasandre]

thank you for posting those pics. I am going to move the front bar to that location today and see if it helps

[gtrsam]

Here's another. I moved the rear one about 1" back more than the previous picture