[OuaAia]

We have a low garage and I'd like to get a little more clearance with the roof rails. It is evidently much harder to remove them than I imagined.

Does anyone know where I can get technical specs and measurements? I believe I could have something 3d printed with a more streamlined form factor if I can get precise measurements.

[JFU]

Originally Posted by OuaAia

We have a low garage and I'd like to get a little more clearance with the roof rails. It is evidently much harder to remove them than I imagined.

Does anyone know where I can get technical specs and measurements? I believe I could have something 3d printed with a more streamlined form factor if I can get precise measurements.

Oh boy, they usually are hard to remove. On other models, I think the removal of the rails would require dropping the headliner.

Are you thinking of 3d printing rails that are flush, like in the X5? That seems like a cool idea to me - but would require quite a bit of work to scan out the curvature of the roof.

Otherwise, if not going flush and if money is no issue, order the rails (PN: 51138090458, 51138090457), scan, and modify?

Would you still want to carry a load with modified rails? Print material choice could be important to consider too.

[MB21]

Originally Posted by OuaAia

We have a low garage and I'd like to get a little more clearance with the roof rails. It is evidently much harder to remove them than I imagined.

Does anyone know where I can get technical specs and measurements? I believe I could have something 3d printed with a more streamlined form factor if I can get precise measurements.

Do you have the air suspension? If so just lower the car when you drive in

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by MB21

Do you have the air suspension? If so just lower the car when you drive in

All X7s come with 2VR air suspension as standard. The lowest setting, -40mm Load level, ONLY works when the vehicle is stationary.

I was going to reply to the OP as well and see if it'll clear his garage in -20mm SPORT level.

[OuaAia]

Thanks. I'm thinking about getting a lowering chip so I can get to the lowest setting while slowly coming in.

The driveway is slanted down so the angle is tricky. Every mm helps.

I also like the aesthetic of the flush racks they have on the X5.

[OuaAia]

@auricom - car will be delivered in 3-4 weeks so not sure on 20mm. Dealer brought a 2019 4.0 by and it just snuck in. We have the '20 M50i on the way so will see if the dimensions change at all.


@jfu- thanks for the links

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by OuaAia

@auricom - car will be delivered in 3-4 weeks so not sure on 20mm. Dealer brought a 2019 4.0 by and it just snuck in. We have the '20 M50i on the way so will see if the dimensions change at all.


@jfu- thanks for the links

All X7s from 40i to M50i include air suspension as standard.

The air suspension has 6 ride heights (Dynamic height is not manually selectable) that's selectable using the ride height toggle near the shifter.

1. Normal level +/- 0, 0-87mph
2. High level +20, activation range 0-27mph
3. Off-road level +40, activation range 0-18mph
4. Dynamic level -10 (not selectable), auto lowers 87-124mph
5. Sport level -20, activation range 0-124mph
6. Load level -40, only available at standstill

If your dealer snuck it into the garage at Normal level then you'll have more room if you drive into the garage at Sport level -20mm (0.787in) then lower it to Load (another 0.787in) for a total of -1.5748in.

Enclosed is a visual of the air suspension logic.

[ppagiga]

Originally Posted by JFU

Oh boy, they usually are hard to remove. On other models, I think the removal of the rails would require dropping the headliner.

Are you thinking of 3d printing rails that are flush, like in the X5? That seems like a cool idea to me - but would require quite a bit of work to scan out the curvature of the roof.

Otherwise, if not going flush and if money is no issue, order the rails (PN: 51138090458, 51138090457), scan, and modify?

Would you still want to carry a load with modified rails? Print material choice could be important to consider too.

i had a rail replaced, scratched badly at delivery. did involve dropping headliner to replace

[MB21]

Originally Posted by OuaAia

Thanks. I'm thinking about getting a lowering chip so I can get to the lowest setting while slowly coming in.

The driveway is slanted down so the angle is tricky. Every mm helps.

I also like the aesthetic of the flush racks they have on the X5.

One thing to take under consideration is the antenna, it is tall, so if you change roof racks you still will have antenna sticking up. Then all you need is notch the entrance so antenna passes through