X5 E53 with Roof Cargo box

[RickM5X3]

Originally Posted by Bunyan

Hey, looks good! Yes, those are the "newer" BMW cross bars. I think what people are saying about putting the box back further for wind and sound is right but plyon is correct as far as the location of the cross bars. Something to do with weight or stress distribution on the X's rails. For more weight you should probably keep it where it is.
I have the same cross bars but placed them further back since I only use them for a bike rack and I didn't want to "see" the racks when I open my sun roof. Plus it's a lot louder when you open the top and the bars are whistling up there. There's about three inches of space between the open hatch and the back of the bike rack.

Looks great. I gave up on opening the roof with the rack, let alone with 4 bikes and a camper out back. Probably quieter on the top of a 737.

[PaulE]

Here is a photo of a Yakima box with Yakima roof rack on my '06. Works great and offers a lot of space since I have a fairly large box.

Definitely have to keep the moonroof cover closed to cut down on noise.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by plyon

The use of the BMW logos front and back are based on the trailer BMW used to sell - I think for the Z3 - it was an actual small trailer - this was my homage - and the BMW M Power is my joke - the M stands for mobility in this case

The case is as far back as is allowed by the attachment points as they connect to the bars. The bars are mounted per the instructions - you could move the front forward a little bit - but the rack starts to curve down. As for the back - the lift gate comes up and almost hits back of box - you could go a little bit longer - but what you should do if you need more is go wider or taller. My wife really wanted the box - its her car - so I decided to have a little fun with the decals.

I remember those trailers. I only ever saw one in real life. The hood was optional, and the promo literature showed a BMW RT100 or something similar, on the open deck. It wasn't behind a Z3, given the weight. It had parking brakes, built in jacks, ramps, and cost a small fortune.

To move it rearwards, I was suggesting putting the crossbars where Bunyan has his in his photo. The rack only holds 220 lbs anyway, less 50 for the carrier, so if you are within that guideline of 170 lbs carrying capacity the crossbars will be solid wherever you put them. If you are over that guideline, I wouldn't move them from where you have them. I put my bike racks as far rearwards as possible, to reduce wind noise and reduce fuel consumption. I often see racks mounted forwards, but I just found them much noisier there. If you can't clear the rear hatch when it swings up, due to the length of the box, then it is all a moot point.

I had thought you had mounted 10 logos. It looks like four of them came on the rack anyway, so my mistake. It is your vehicle, so you should set it up exactly how you like it.

Good luck with it, looks good.

[tdgard]

Here is an 1800 on an E53

Not sure about the other setups but the guidelines for the box state to place the crossbars as far away from each other as possible. That-coupled with the rear opening clearance-places the front bar about as far forward as it can be. I find mine is super quiet-the bars make more noise than the box.

As for roadtrips-this thing is the best. For a beach trip all the chairs, umbrellas, kids toys, strollers, pack and plays, towels, and anything else that is going to get grungy go up there and get hosed off when you get home. The inside of the car is reserved for important stuff--like wine.

[FSETH]

tdgard, that box matches your paint just about perfectly. Also, it's nice to see a fellow Cobb resident on the boards.

[tdgard]

It's so close, I've had people ask if I had it painted. I tell them the car used to be yellow. Out here in Cobb-next to the city of Roswell.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by tdgard

It's so close, I've had people ask if I had it painted. I tell them the car used to be yellow. Out here in Cobb-next to the city of Roswell.

Nice area. If I ever moved from where we are now I would love to live within walking distance of downtown Roswell. It is a very cool area. I am on the other side of Cobb near the Marietta Country club.

[CondorX5]

I know this thread is a few months old already, but I thought you guys and gals in the US may want to see a UK X5 with roof cargo box....this one is a shiny piano black and I think it looks good with my Le Mans Blue 4.8is...it is a locally sold box from one of our car accesory retailers, supposedly their premium brand, which was on a Sale special.....the bars are Mont Blanc bars with locks added. Most boxes here are grey / silver, so I was pleased to find the black one and may add a bit of branding, too It made little difference to my 4.8is fuel consumption - fully loaded it still managed 23 miles per gallon, amazingly good for a big engined 4.8, I thought...

[Turks4.4]

Look nice.
Great work.

[TQ2K]

Nice setup guys!

Here's ours: