Good point. I had considered the OEM bars and I like the look of them. I decided to go with the Thule system and box b/c I already have the Thule Revolver bike rack. By going this route, I can order an extra set of locks and use one key for everything. Also, I read on the BMW website that the OEM bars are secured by coded bolts. I think those are probably easier to defeat than key locks and the key for the coded bolts is one more thing I have to keep track of. The single key for all of the Thule products can go on the ring with the key fob for the X5 and I don't have to worry about keeping track of it. Besides that, I am really happy with the Revolver bike rack, so I am a fan of Thule products now.

Now if I could figure out how to mount all of this stuff on my 335, life would be sweet.