[jmciver]

Did the roof rack system leave any marks/scratches on the shadow line roof rails when you removed it? Do the roof rack system designs, either OEM or aftermarket, protect the roof rails from scratches? I ask as I may need a roof box following an X7 purchase, however I would not want to keep the roof rack system installed permanently with the roof box not in use. But I would also hate to see any scratches on the black shadow line roof rails.

Lastly, a quick look at pricing for the different roof rack systems reveals that the price difference between OEM and aftermarket roof rail systems is not that different - which is usually not the case. Any reason to pick one (aftermarket vs OEM) over another? I am only talking about the roof rail system, not the actual pricing of the cargo box.

Thanks!

[unfoundnemo]

I have the OEM cross bars with m-sport and worried about this too as I tend to like to keep my cars pretty clean. I have had them on and off 3 times so far, and I didn't notice any issues. The pieces that come in contact with the rails are rubber, as long as the rubber is clean and the rails are clean prior to install you should be fine (it even tells you to clean them in the install manual). Of course, you are putting a bit of force there, and I don't think rubber will ever be 100% clean, so micro scratches will happen at some point, but at least it's overhead I suppose.

Regarding aftermarket vs OEM. I would worry about a more "universal fit" type crossbar having a less even contact with the rail itself (more pressure on a single point resulting in higher chance of a scratch maybe), and not having the clearance for the sun roof. Aside from those type of fitment points, I would think the right aftermarket rails might be more aerodynamic, produce less wind noise, have a lower profile, look better, and have better fitment with some attachments (not that any of these points are particularly bad with the OEM rails).

[jmciver]

If you had to do it over again, would you still get the OEM rails?

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by jmciver

If you had to do it over again, would you still get the OEM rails?

I'd probably take a closer look at aftermarket options first. I thought I wanted the "edge mount" bar aesthetically, and the thule aero blades weren't officially supported, so all the other options looked similar to OEM anyway.

OEM is certainly good enough. I feel confident with how they attach and I like the mechanisms involved, I could get them on or off within about 3 minutes, but they just look sort of odd by themselves since it adds a couple more inches on top of the already raised rails. I think I'd be happier with a black wing bar for aesthetic purposes, I'm just not sure how they could compare to how the OEM bars attach to the rails.

I was also able to get the OEM bars for $293 through a BMW dealer on ebay, so that was a plus and pushed me along.

[cmf5]

I've talked to a few people who have the OEM rails, they aren't very fond of them. I went aftermarket and initially ordered a set of Yakima RailBars that were sized according to the fit guide (L & XXL). I ordered them from RackAttack.com

After I placed the order one of their reps called me to let me know that he suspected that the fit guide was incorrect, and that the distance between the rails was going to be too large. He easily could have let me receive the rails and find that out on my own - great customer service for sure! After a few days of searching neither of us could figure out the right lengths, so I ended up ordering a Thule kit that was adjustable (Crossroad + Wingbar). I mounted them today and put my Fat Cat 6 on top for our ski trip tomorrow. Very happy with the setup and absolutely no damage being done to the M railings.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by cmf5

I've talked to a few people who have the OEM rails, they aren't very fond of them. I went aftermarket and initially ordered a set of Yakima RailBars that were sized according to the fit guide (L & XXL). I ordered them from RackAttack.com

After I placed the order one of their reps called me to let me know that he suspected that the fit guide was incorrect, and that the distance between the rails was going to be too large. He easily could have let me receive the rails and find that out on my own - great customer service for sure! After a few days of searching neither of us could figure out the right lengths, so I ended up ordering a Thule kit that was adjustable (Crossroad + Wingbar). I mounted them today and put my Fat Cat 6 on top for our ski trip tomorrow. Very happy with the setup and absolutely no damage being done to the M railings.

What were some of specific complaints you heard about the OEM bars?

[cmf5]

Originally Posted by jmciver

What were some of specific complaints you heard about the OEM bars?

Noise at speed, unnecessarily high/tall, and visually not very pleasing.