Wow...I ordered on Friday and it showed up today. I'd like to attempt to install it now, but my wife has requested that I watch the season finale of Desperate Housewives with her instead. Any news taskmaxter?

 

I sent it back. I gave it another shot but it was going to cause paint damage. I could have forced it on there but if I ever decided to take it off for some reason it would have destroyed the paint. Wasn't worth it. I'm curious on if you got the one for the R56 and its different then the R55. Maybe yours will go on correctly. Please post your findings.

 

Well I got it installed. It wasn't the easiest thing I did today, but it's on there nice and tight. The manual suggests taking it off when your not using it. No chance of that happening. It was hard enough to get on there, I won't be taking it off. I might need to carry my bike on any given day in the summer, and I'll be carrying snow boards in the winter, so it aint goin nowhere!

It went on just like the one in this post on MINI2: http://www.mini2.com/forum/3414002-post115.html

 

Was it marked for an R56 or R55? Trying to see if there might be any difference between the one I got and yours.

 

I'll have to look at the box again... I'm not sure. However, in order to make the whole process easier, I removed the cross bar that connects the two brackets. That way, I was able to tilt the bracket in a way that made it easier to get into the slot. Once both brackets were on, I simply reattached the cross bar.

 

Interesting, Tim. I can't seem to recall if anyone else has taken this approach. It certainly makes sense. Now, go out in a big rain storm and report back!

How's the wind noise?

 

I haven't driven it yet so I don't know. I told my wife I'd take her on a date to see the new Indiana Jones movie, so I'll get a chance to test it this weekend. Maybe I'll take it through the car wash just to test it.

 

Good idea on both. Perhaps you can give a review of the movie, too.

 

That was a good idea. I didn't see an obvious way to remove it but then again I wasn't looking at it in that way either. Did you remove the ends from both sides or just one side? Was it still a tough fit getting it to go in after you removed the cross piece? Also, when you got it on there, did it start pressing down on the plastic gutter strip that runs along the edge? I noticed on the one I had it looks like it was going to cause that piese to "bow" down or out when it was on there.

 

There are two screws at each end of the bar, underneath. I took both ends off. It was tough to get in there. The gutter bows a tiny bit, but not enough to cause concern.

 

This may turn out to be wishful thinking on my part but the MY09 MC JCW ordering guide has an option #386 'Roof Rails' (available for the Clubman only). The ordering guide said they only come in Black and are rated for 177 lbs. I visualize roof rails like those on a Honda Pilot or other SUV types. The MC JCW Roof Rail option cannot be paired with the JCW Rear wing, it's one or the other. If this option is what I am visualizing - then all that is left to buy is the cross bars. Perhaps this could be MINI's answer to the Clip on problems. I send an email to MINIUSA asking for more information about option 386 but no response yet. I do not intend to hijack this forum's Clip on rack discussion but thought those reading it may want to research the coming 386 'Roof Rails' - what ever it is. I am assuming that this MY09 MC JCW option will be made available for the lesser MC-s and MC Clubman product.

 

Don't know whether to or - I'd heard rumors about this. Now if they can retrofit for all of us, I'll be thrilled!

Thanks for posting, but be careful with that use of the adjective "lesser".

 

Moe, thanks for posting this and no, I don't think you were hijacking this thread - matter a fact, perfect place to post this info. Please report back should you receive any further details. Sounds promising.

 

Please, by all means, hijack. Where can we find info on the 09s?

 

MY09 MC JCW info - note early release MY09 for JCW only! the option packaging may be the same for the MY09 s and cooper models. I read on Motoringfile that the regular models (non JCW) are due on the normal 11/08 - order and 2/08 delivery schedule.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=140100

 

Just received this email from Thule:

You are receiving this e-mail because you have previously subscribed to
Thule's e-mail fit update service. This service is designed to inform you
about products that are now available for your vehicle. The information
you provided us is listed below:

Make: Mini
Model: Clubman
Year: 2008
This solutions can be viewed on our website under this address:
http://www.thuleracks.com/fit.asp?id=8726
If this message has reached you in error, please reply to the address
above and we will remove your name from this service.

Thank You,
Thule Car Rack Systems

 

Just downloaded the instructions on the Thule web site for the #2145 fit kit --which is indicated for the Clubman and the .pdf document says that it is for the Mini Cooper 3-dr hatchback 2003---.
So it doesn't seem to be specially designed for the Clubman, doesn't take advantage of the slots in the roof, possibly will bend raingutters, and has a lower weight limit (50 kg) than the Mini-branded rack (also apparently from Thule).

Maybe this isn't the greatest solution?

 

I just got that same email! I haven't delved as far into it as you have, zeddy, but perhaps a telephone call is in order? I can't do it now, but will certainly follow-up.

 

Just got done chatting with a co-worker, who is a Thule dealer. She tells me that the #2145 kit is the same one she just put on her 08 MCS last week. I've looked at it, and suppose that it's possible it would work, assuming the foot pad can swivel far enough. On her MCS it certainly look ssolid enough, and less likely to damage things putting it on and off than trying to put little tabs thru slots in the rain gutter.

 

So this is basically sitting on top of the car's roof...and then part 431 hooks into the rain gutter's plastic? Is 50 kg about 110 pounds?

P.S. I submitted some questions online, but probably won't hear back until late next week.

 

Wow... I called one week ago and they said a solution was 6 months out. It figures I'd get the email right after I put on the MINI rack.

The MINI solution was cheaper anyway. I don't care anymore.

 

Well, it's still not 100% clear how this thing is a solution. I mean it looks as though it's pretty much what already was in existence, doesn't it? I'm not sure, but it seems that way...?

 

Just got off the phone with Thule. I spoke with a very nice fellow named Fred who was unaware of this update for the Clubman. He explained to me that the 2145 Fit Kit apparently must work for the Clubman, however he did ask me to forward the email to him (which I did), and said that he was going to check on it because I knew about this before he did and he wanted to be sure. He said that if I did not hear back from him, then all the information should be considered to be accurate.

He explained that this fit kit, which is the same as the one for the coupe, clamps on to the roof at the door jams.

 

Are you sure that mount will not be interrupted by the rain gutter?

 

Well this is partly what my concern was... I would have to see it in real life to know if it would work. I did underscore that the Clubman's roof line was much deeper. The good part is that it is easy to remove...but it sure sounds like they're just plunking on the old roof rack from the coupe.