Hey, i just picked up my '04 MCS last week and on the roof are half dollar size slugs with threads set into the roof. It seems obvious that these are for roof racks. they look like a quality OEM thing. are these standard on MINIs? anyone know what rack would bolt up to these? i can take a pics if needed. thanks.

 

so here is a pic if it helps...

 

Roof rack mounts for the factory (only) roof rack. Nice! IIRC there are covers available for those - covers you can paint to match the roof. Until you get some, head over to Home Depot or Lowes and get some small plastic screw hole covers just to keep water out of the holes and out of the roof. Check with your local dealer for the OE covers.

The factory rack is really sturdy and a lot of people swear by it as the only roof rack to have. Anything else contacts the paint and, no matter how careful you are with it, you're still resting a load on the paint.

Nicely done! Oh - and welcome to the loose federation of Mini owners...

 

excellent. thanks for the help!

 

Happy to help.

As a temporary preventative, clean and dry the mounts and just slap some clear packing tape over them. That'll keep the water out until you can get covers. If it leaves some stickum behind, a little goo-gone will take it right off.

Shoot a pic of the whole car - is that grey with a grey roof? Cool combination, hard to tell with your photo. Funky self/sky reflection though!

 

Dark Silver/Dark Silver Roof (or is it called grey?). i love the color. Here are some pics the day after i picked it up.

 

I installed these myself (yes, took a drill/dremel to my roof!! Was a fun project and made sure that it was done properly.

The bolts are sealed with the roof with the same stuff that holds on the windshield - the caps don't offer water protection as they dont seal with the roof - it's the windshield stuff... i made sure to have good coverage between the bolt and roof - water is not/has not gotten through. I took touch up paint to the bolts to make it blend with my black roof - i think the functionality outweighs the look. I carry myn bikes, snowboards, camping gear and have transported large furniture on it - it's SOLID!

I have some pics of my install process i can post if anyone is interested.. just have to digg for the pics.

phil.

 

sorry to just jump right into this thread, but I am totally interestedf in seeing whatever pics/help you have on this install. I just got the rack bits today and we are planning on doing the install ourselves since the dealer wants 700 just for labor. we didn't get an instruction manual, and some posts have been pretty scary about attempting it. But--if we can install the 17% reduction pulley, then i think we can manage this...at least, i hope!! Also, some more detail about the "windsheild" stuff you put on it, since i was very surprised/distressed to see that no rubber/watertight washers were included in the install kit??

Thanks a bunch for any further help/anecdotes you can offer!!!!

PS-Welcome to the world of Minis, Mystic 15!!! I hope you can make it to the Dragon!!

 

Come to Dragon Draggin' if you're there, I'll see you. I'll be the crazy one talking a lot and eating a bunch of our sponsor's Bubba's Homebaked Nut Rolls!

That's one of 2-3 PittStopMINI club events we've got going on!

And... while I've used roof racks on the mini, I've got a trailer now and love it. It's like having a Mini and a detachable 40 cubic foot trunk!

 

yeah, but you can't put a surfboard or skis in the trailer...

 

I know there is a thread her with pics of the install. I do remember there person who did it said that they would not do it again themselves. I'll look to see if I can find it.

The covers are part # 82790140913 (they also come in chrome; different part number). I ordered them online. Realoem.com has them for about 2.00 each but I paid more from Morristown MINI but since I ordered other parts there was no extra shipping and so it was a wash.

If you order them, I would get a couple of spares. The slide-lock on but can be removed if someone pushed on them rear-to-front inadvertantly.

 

Here you go for the install:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...of-advice.html


BTW, the bolts for the roof rack are metric M6 X 25mm (approx. length). The pitch is 1.0. Bolts are available in socket, and various end/screwdriver styles. They cost $0.51 each at my local hardware.

 

Mystic15

the car color is located on a label in the engine compartment on the passenger side where the bonnet connects to the body. Your color is Dark Silver I believe.

DSOC (Dark Silver Owners Club):

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...club-dsoc.html

 

thanks, i'll check that out to verify.

 

i know im jumping right in, but i want to take the roof racks of my 05 mini, came with the car, never removed and i would like to know if the color of the roof were its mounted will be discolored or anything. My roof top is white

 

Oh yes I can! And it'll haul 2 mountain and two road bikes too!



Note rack on the trailer roof! Yep, it's an UGLY trailer, but with c-load rated tires it's damn functional! That's also how the (4) 8' sections of the Draggin Dragon miniwood derby track make it to Fontana - and yes this trailer's conquered the Dragon! Anyone in for a 6-wheel drift?

 

That is perhaps the most ridiculous--and yet coolest--thing i've ever seen. LOL "six-wheel drift!!!!!" You offering to build me one for a six pack? with layoffs and furlough days, times are tight!!!

that's the best thing i've seen all day.

So i've been told i can get the instruction manual from the dealership, and i think they are trying to wear down my patience. I actually went to the dealer today to pick it up (after "not receiving" thier fax) and the parts guy said they had computer issues and he would have to email them to me. EOD today, no email. maybe i'm just being impatient.

 

Nyah, I have no welding skills to speak of! Many have had luck with the harbor freight trailers. I'd highly recommend the 12" wheels though, for better speed capability. That said, I've see the far side of 75 with mine, but I also check the bearings regularly and have c-rated tires (910lb weight rating, each) on a trailer that maybe weighs 1000lb fully laden..

Heck if you really can't pack light, just haul along another CAR, and try the 8-wheel drift!


That's the Mini of Pittsburgh Grille Car - a resurrected Classic shell with a propane grille instead of an engine. MoP allows us to use it during Club events... if we're careful with it!

Now back to your regularly scheduled roof rack discussion... I believe you can get instructions and how-tos somewhere on NAM.

 

Well, i finally got the instructions from the dealer, along with a heavy dose of "you really shouldn't do this yourself..."

I looked on NAM for a while for the thread on the install for this and could never find it. even the link on this thread dpesn't really lead to much info (no offense meant). so, perhaps if i feel like i can stomach it, i'll document the install and post for others like me who don't want to pay 500$ for just the install.

 

Hey man, where can I see those pics !? I need to do the install soon since that rack (OEM) has been sitting in my garage.lol

 

RESULTS ARE LONG OVER DUE MAN!! lol Pictures ?