BMW / Thule Rack Carrier

[X5 Meister]

Interesting info. I've actually never heard of that brand before.

Looking at their web site at the vehicle specific fitment BMW X5 rack, it sort of looks like the old style X5 rack and not the new style rack. Do you have a BMW rack that is stamped Atera somewhere or that came with documentation that says Atera? Just wondering.

Originally Posted by Denalio

I believe Atera makes the BMW racks.

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Interesting info. I've actually never heard of that brand before.

Looking at their web site at the vehicle specific fitment BMW X5 rack, it sort of looks like the old style X5 rack and not the new style rack. Do you have a BMW rack that is stamped Atera somewhere or that came with documentation that says Atera? Just wondering.

No I don't have the BMW rack. I have the Thule 450R. However, I was talking to a BMW rep/factory Tech at one point and we were talking about the racks. He mentioned that they use a German manufacture that was Atera he thought.

[X5 Meister]

I just realized, why do you say that the one on the left is the E53 and the one on the right is an E70? They are both E53's.

Originally Posted by chile1

[ATTACH]

I love it. I was trying to choose between a Thule fairing and the OEM Sun/Wind Deflector but I wasn't sure how it would look. Seeing your X with the cool Thule fairing help with my decision.
Does it reduce wind noise when you have your panoramic roof open? I was also wondering if the E70 BMW OEM Base Support System (part# 82-71-0-404-320 - shown on the right) would fit a E53. I like the looks of the E70's Base Support System much better what's offered for E53's (part# 82-71-0-415-053 - shown on the left):


Attachment 31546 Attachment 31547

[acedeucy]

Originally Posted by hhhm3

IMO, I would get rid of the Thule wind defector. Iit sort of degrade the premium class of the X5.

I would recommend the hitch rack carrier from Yakama.
Easy mount, unmount and secure.
I found that the roof carries are way too much work to mount and unmount plus the height limitations.

Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack from Backcountry.com

I found the customer support and service at Backcountry top notch (worldclass service) at the same worldclass service as Invision Industries (rear DVD entertainment systems), they will never stop until you are totally happy with the product.

So....? Are you Happy yet?

[hhhm3]

Originally Posted by acedeucy

So....? Are you Happy yet?

Yes, the kids are very happy with the Yakama rack, they love swing on it... Just kidding! I don't let them swing on it...
The only thing the kids like about the X5 are their Dual DVD screens.

Thanks Lawrence - INViSiON Industries,

Oh' for those who have the money, this the best bike carrier money can buy.
Yakama Swingdaddy
YouTube - Yakima SwingDaddy Hitch Bike Rack Review-Demo Video 8002422

[X5 Meister]

Watched the video, wow that is a cool rack.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Watched the video, wow that is a cool rack.

I guess if preserving the bikes isn't important, and the main thing is access to the rear hatch, but the guy in the video put a Madone on that rack. Sacrilege. The front fork was swinging around freely, the wheels can spin freely in the wind, and there was just a rubber band to stop the bike from swinging fore and aft. Their idea of a lock was a cable around the frame. A hitch rack is a good idea for those who can't easily reach the roof rack, and for mountain or cross-country bikes that are already dirty from riding offroad, but the racks that hold the bikes in wheel trays are much more solid. This is Walmart stuff.

[X5 Meister]

JCL - Do you think the BMW hitch rack is better?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

JCL - Do you think the BMW hitch rack is better?

I wouldn't buy a rack from BMW, whether for the hitch or the roof rails.

If I had to have a hitch rack for some reason, I would buy the Thule Doubletree or T2, or maybe the Saris. Nothing wrong with Yakima, I just don't know their models, but it would at least be a design like the Doubletree. A design that has the bicycle frame hanging free is suitable for kid's sidewalk bicycles, if you don't mind marking up your paint job. In other words, a last resort.

All of the above would only be an option if for example I had a convertible and no place to mount a roof rack.

[X5 Meister]

Understood. What's wrong with the BMW roof racks in your opinion?

Originally Posted by JCL

I wouldn't buy a rack from BMW, whether for the hitch or the roof rails.

If I had to have a hitch rack for some reason, I would buy the Thule Doubletree or T2, or maybe the Saris. Nothing wrong with Yakima, I just don't know their models, but it would at least be a design like the Doubletree. A design that has the bicycle frame hanging free is suitable for kid's sidewalk bicycles, if you don't mind marking up your paint job. In other words, a last resort.

All of the above would only be an option if for example I had a convertible and no place to mount a roof rack.