R55 Rack on Clubman - Issues??
#226
I have the 2145 fit kit sitting on my desk in front of me. I've held it up to the roof, and cannot see any possability of it working on the Clubman. To be fair, I haven't actually tried it with the feet and load bar yet, as I'm going to borrow them from a friend and try to fit them to the car. But it sure looks to me as if the rubber pads would wind up on the outside of the dune line, almost vertical, with the clamps under the drip rail pulling it down. The only way this could possibly work is for the feet to use the load bar as a fulcrum. Unless I'm missing something, it might actually clamp and stay there, but I cannot believe that it would be very secure or have much in the way of load capacity.
As for the 440XT foot I do not see any way for it to turn its foot bracket that far around to have it sit against the side of the roof.
#228
So the pad is just basically a a flat piece of rubber that sits under the 400XT.
How long are the drip rail clamps?
How wide is the drip rail clamp at the bottom where it would clamp against the vehicle?
I would say (without measuring) that they would need to be at least 5-6 inches in length to be able to work, and be no more than 2" wide
There is no way that the 400XT foot could mount to the side of the dune rail, It just can not be stable that way.
Also have you tried to insert the drip rail clamp in the slot of the car.
How long are the drip rail clamps?
How wide is the drip rail clamp at the bottom where it would clamp against the vehicle?
I would say (without measuring) that they would need to be at least 5-6 inches in length to be able to work, and be no more than 2" wide
There is no way that the 400XT foot could mount to the side of the dune rail, It just can not be stable that way.
Also have you tried to insert the drip rail clamp in the slot of the car.
#229
Mini Do More here!! The hold up on our roll out of the hitch has been getting our hands on another Clubman. The dealer we work with has been unable to free one up for us to get our hands on in a timeline that works for us. As you've probably read, traffic at the dealers and hence sales for MINI is way up! I need a volunteer to allow us to do some more test fitting and will give a full package to that person for free and install it. We are in the Akron Ohio area. Please PM if you are nearby, can help out, and want a free hitch set up! Thanks
#230
So do we think that the Mini organization reads our forums?
Anyone have an idea how we can get the roof rack adjustment machined?
Other than some of us asking at sale or inquiring with the parts department, how do we really know that MINI is even doing anything about the
Clubman roof rack fit?
Anyone have an idea how we can get the roof rack adjustment machined?
Other than some of us asking at sale or inquiring with the parts department, how do we really know that MINI is even doing anything about the
Clubman roof rack fit?
#233
#234
jupiterfish, do you mean you wanted a bike rack to go on to the dealer installed MINI roof rack and MINI will not sell that particular part? That seems odd.
As for whether MINI is really doing anything - go back and read that bulletin that was sent out. I have no doubt they're working on it, but the only information that I've been told thus far - since that bulletin - is that it was likely a "best guess". I have not had a chance to hound my service advisor about this lately.
Don't forget there are people who have the roof racks without any problems - or leaks....but apparently there were enough "issues" that they told their dealers not to sell the racks for the Clubman until the issues were dealt with. That said, we know that some places are still selling them.
As for whether MINI is really doing anything - go back and read that bulletin that was sent out. I have no doubt they're working on it, but the only information that I've been told thus far - since that bulletin - is that it was likely a "best guess". I have not had a chance to hound my service advisor about this lately.
Don't forget there are people who have the roof racks without any problems - or leaks....but apparently there were enough "issues" that they told their dealers not to sell the racks for the Clubman until the issues were dealt with. That said, we know that some places are still selling them.
#235
Order a bike rack from Morristown MINI. I bought two, and they work fine.
#236
Side question on this topic: Anyone have an idea what effect on gas mileage a roofrack/bikerack might be? I'm working hard to get 24mpg mixed driving and while this is double the SUV we replaced, I was expecting a bit better (no, we don't drive in sport mode)... I began to wonder if the rack has something to do with that...
#237
I just finished driving 530 miles between Maine, Western Mass., Rhode Island, and back to Maine with my roof racks and no attachments. I managed to get 42.6 MPG. So I dare say that there's no effect in MPGs if you're just driving with the rack. However, I'm sure I would have lost a couple of MPGs had I been carrying a bike or two.
Big hit.
#238
#242
#244
Hi all,
I have just taken over an hour of time with the Thule 2145 Kit, 400XT Foot and bars.
These are a no go on a Clubman as they come from Thule. It puts to much preasure on the flexible rain gutter. It forces it down almost a quarter inch. This caused a visible gap between the window and the gasket for over an inch of space. I.E. lots of water would come into the car via the gap.
As I stated that is as it comes from Thule. There may be a possibilty that it could work with modifications. I am not willing to purchase the kit at this time to modify it. It may become a reality for me to do it in a couple of weeks.
I am going to MTTS Boston this weekend and MOT2008 next weekend and want to see if there are any other options. I will also be going to my dealer tomorrow and looking at the OEM rack to see how it mounts. I am wondering if the problems with it are just that it is not getting mounted properly on some vehicles as some people have had it work and others not.
I would prefer to have the OEM rack as it can carry more weight but i will also have to measure it to see if there is enough cross length to get my Yakima box and two bike carriers on it.
I have just taken over an hour of time with the Thule 2145 Kit, 400XT Foot and bars.
These are a no go on a Clubman as they come from Thule. It puts to much preasure on the flexible rain gutter. It forces it down almost a quarter inch. This caused a visible gap between the window and the gasket for over an inch of space. I.E. lots of water would come into the car via the gap.
As I stated that is as it comes from Thule. There may be a possibilty that it could work with modifications. I am not willing to purchase the kit at this time to modify it. It may become a reality for me to do it in a couple of weeks.
I am going to MTTS Boston this weekend and MOT2008 next weekend and want to see if there are any other options. I will also be going to my dealer tomorrow and looking at the OEM rack to see how it mounts. I am wondering if the problems with it are just that it is not getting mounted properly on some vehicles as some people have had it work and others not.
I would prefer to have the OEM rack as it can carry more weight but i will also have to measure it to see if there is enough cross length to get my Yakima box and two bike carriers on it.
#247
Note to all
Thule has withdrawn there roof rack for the Mini Clubman from there online configurator. They state
" At this time we do not have a multipurpose rack system that we recommend for use. Please enter your e-mail address here to be notified by e-mail when a fit becomes available for this vehicle."
Although a week ago they had the 2145 kit listed. Maybe there has been enough complaints that have have gone back to the drawing board.
Thule has withdrawn there roof rack for the Mini Clubman from there online configurator. They state
" At this time we do not have a multipurpose rack system that we recommend for use. Please enter your e-mail address here to be notified by e-mail when a fit becomes available for this vehicle."
Although a week ago they had the 2145 kit listed. Maybe there has been enough complaints that have have gone back to the drawing board.
#249
Hi all,
I am going to MTTS Boston this weekend and MOT2008 next weekend and want to see if there are any other options. I will also be going to my dealer tomorrow and looking at the OEM rack to see how it mounts. I am wondering if the problems with it are just that it is not getting mounted properly on some vehicles as some people have had it work and others not.
I would prefer to have the OEM rack as it can carry more weight but i will also have to measure it to see if there is enough cross length to get my Yakima box and two bike carriers on it.
I am going to MTTS Boston this weekend and MOT2008 next weekend and want to see if there are any other options. I will also be going to my dealer tomorrow and looking at the OEM rack to see how it mounts. I am wondering if the problems with it are just that it is not getting mounted properly on some vehicles as some people have had it work and others not.
I would prefer to have the OEM rack as it can carry more weight but i will also have to measure it to see if there is enough cross length to get my Yakima box and two bike carriers on it.