Lots of threads going on bike racks. If I was to get a hitch rack, it would be one that contacted only the wheels, like the Thule T2. Nom3rcy had a good post here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...bike-rack.html

My set up is post #7 in that thread, here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/723674-post7.html

If I had mountain bikes, and never wanted to tow anything at the same time, I would have a rear rack since the bikes are already dirty most of the time anyway. I like road bikes on the roof, out of the grit and low pressure area behind the vehicle. I have used roof racks for years, so I am not bothered by the overheight issue, but some worry about clearance. I don't have a fabric protector for the fronts of the bikes, but plan to get a couple for a road trip in September (mainly for bugs). Something like these:

Universal Cycles -- > Auto Racks & Parts > Roof Rack Bike Bras

If you don't want to buy a hitch, but want the bikes rear-mounted, here is the BMW solution that attaches to the tow eyes in the bumper.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rack-pics.html

And despite having all the gear, if I am just taking one bike I just throw it in the back of the X.

__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

I like the simplicity of the hitch mount ones. However, I was driving in a light rain the other day and the bikes would have been very dirty. That made me think the hitch would not be the best. I like the hitch mounts with the trays for the wheels. The only thing I was wondering about that is if I got the extension for another 2 bikes (a total of 4 bikes) how far out would the bike be hanging behind the car. My guess if pretty far.

Whenever it is just me and my bike I fold the seats down and put it in the back. Very easy. When it is 3 people with bikes and gear all in the car it starts to get to filled up.

I think I am going to get a yakima swing daddy hitch mount for carrying the bikes. I don't have a hitch installed on the X so I have a new project!! I think this is probably the best option for me. I don't care for the idea of having the bikes so high up on the roof. In addition, I do mtn biking and don't want to put dirty mtn bikes above the X.

How timely, I finally got the cervelo all dialed in. Seat position and all and then my freehub went kablamo (all you F1 viewers know where I got that from. I had to take it into the shop the other day because the Di2 just hasn't been shifting as good as it should and there has been a lot of pedal drag. The shop ended up rebuilding the freehub on my DA rear wheel. I went out for a ride this morning and all of a sudden my bike became a fixie. The freehub would not coast so I had to pedal at all times or the chain would get sucked in. I went back to the shop and Shimano is going to warranty the freehub!!! Just what I wanted to hear!!! So it wont be until monday or tuesday till its all back and running. Before the freehub totally at it I got a glimpse of how the Di2 shifts when properly adjusted. WOW!!! It really is that awesome!!!! The weather is finally cooling down in PHX,AZ so riding season is beginning!!! Hopefully when I get the bike back next week I will be able to snap some good photos and do show and tell!

On the car rack situation. I have decided a roof rack system is the best option for me. I am thinking about rockymounts for the tray and thule for the base system.

It has been a wait but here are some pics!!!!!! Enjoy

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A few more photos of how the Di2 is wired from handlebars to rear derailleur.

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AZX54.4,
You'll like the roof rack. I've been using the BMW cross bars with Yakima trays for my 29er.
By the way, what is that gray box on your down tube? Is it a battery for a light?
Nice bike by the way.

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'06 4.4i 215 ferric gray 20" replicas

Bunyan: That is the battery for the Shimano DI2 electric shift. Actuator motors in both the front and rear derailleurs, pushbutton shifting, automatic trimming of the front derailleur with rear chain position. Shifts under full load, by automatically overshifting then trimming back to a running position. Very cool. Still a bit pricy for the rest of us peasants.

AZX54.4: Bike looks good, thanks for the pictures. Need to watch that focus on the close up shots! Interested in why the Mavic brakes, or is that just the way the bike shop had built it up?

__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

Bunyan: Like JCL said, my bike is equipped with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting. That little box is the battery.

JCL: Sorry about that. I just looked at the closeup pics. The one of the rear derailleur was a little intense! haha.
As far as the Mavic brakes. Those are some of the best brakes I have ever felt on a road bike and those were 100% my choice. The bike had some G-force brakes before i bought it that wouldn't stop the bike at any speed. They had a lot of flex in the design. I am not exaggerating. When I first rode the bike around the parking lot before I bought it I couldn't even stop going a few mph. I had first become addicted to the Mavic's on my other bike which originally had Dura Ace 7800 brakes on it. They have unbelievable stopping power and great modulation. When you pull the brakes they don't have that gliding over the rim feel. They have great bite and always feel like they have more power for emergency stops. And to top it off, Mavic's "rapid spring return" technology is dubbed "R3" so it is a perfect mating for my R3 sl ! On top of that, their weight is contained at just 314g. And weight is not a concern for me. This bike is crazy light. I never compromise on stopping performance. The freehub on my DA rear wheel has failed so I am waiting for the warrantied one from Shimano to arrive in a few days. I've gotten enough miles on this bike to start to get a good feel for it. I like it!! It is extremely smooth and stable at high speeds. I haven't found that having a very light bike makes my avg. speed any higher but i am able to accelerate much quicker. Climbing is different on this bike mainly because my other bike has a compact crank and the R3sl doesn't. The only thing that I am getting used to is sometimes the shifts are so quiet and smooth that you aren't sure that it happened. I wouldn't call this a problem at all. It is just that seamless and smooth. It's just like any bike or car for that matter. Somethings are different but the more you ride/drive it the more accustomed you become to it. Theres a learning curve to everything!

One more thing on the Mavic note! My dad found four cracks in his rear bontrager race xxx lite rim the other day. They are being warrantied and replaced. In the mean time, our bike shop is letting him use a set of Mavic Ksyrium premium sl's. So far, he has ridden maybe 70 miles on them and likes them a lot and might just switch over from the bontragers. Any comments on Mavic rims. My dad also runs Mavic crossmax 29er rims on his mtn bike.