Low profile roof rack?

dcorn · 10-07-2010, 07:03 AM

So I'd like to pick up some sort of roof rack to carry my bikes and maybe snowboard for the winter. I know the BMW rack is the thing to get, but I just hate how high it sits up off the roof of the car. I'm all for things being sleek and flowy, so I'd like to find some sort of rack that sits much closer to the top of the car and blends in just a tad more. I figure it'll be more aerodynamic as well as look way better when I'm not carrying anything. Is there something like that available or am I doomed to have the tower of power sitting 6+ inches up above the car?

dcorn · 10-09-2010, 07:26 PM

Nothing? The BMW piece or Thule is the only one available?

scromp · 10-09-2010, 08:12 PM

Yakima's got one but I don't like it, seems cheap. Same with the Thule. I got BMW's.. I agree it looks like it sits kinda high, but you almost need that with certain attachments to avoid scratching the roof. They also take care that no part of it touches the paint - it fits really well, and is very easy to install after the first time.

I've carried bikes (yakima highroller), kayaks (yakima bowdown), and vacation crap (giant yakima cargo thingamawhatzitz) on the BMW mount with no serious issues.

scromp · 10-09-2010, 08:14 PM

I take it off when I'm not using it. It seems to drag to the point of about 0.2 mpg if I can trust my car.

10-07-2010, 07:03 AM	#1
dcorn Captain 77 Rep 940 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2)	Low profile roof rack? So I'd like to pick up some sort of roof rack to carry my bikes and maybe snowboard for the winter. I know the BMW rack is the thing to get, but I just hate how high it sits up off the roof of the car. I'm all for things being sleek and flowy, so I'd like to find some sort of rack that sits much closer to the top of the car and blends in just a tad more. I figure it'll be more aerodynamic as well as look way better when I'm not carrying anything. Is there something like that available or am I doomed to have the tower of power sitting 6+ inches up above the car?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-09-2010, 07:26 PM	#2
dcorn Captain 77 Rep 940 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2)	Nothing? The BMW piece or Thule is the only one available?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2010, 08:12 PM	#3
scromp Enlisted Member 4 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 328i E90 Montego Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	Yakima's got one but I don't like it, seems cheap. Same with the Thule. I got BMW's.. I agree it looks like it sits kinda high, but you almost need that with certain attachments to avoid scratching the roof. They also take care that no part of it touches the paint - it fits really well, and is very easy to install after the first time. I've carried bikes (yakima highroller), kayaks (yakima bowdown), and vacation crap (giant yakima cargo thingamawhatzitz) on the BMW mount with no serious issues.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2010, 08:14 PM	#4
scromp Enlisted Member 4 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 328i E90 Montego Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	I take it off when I'm not using it. It seems to drag to the point of about 0.2 mpg if I can trust my car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote