[wastedimage]

Originally Posted by BurqueBMW

Just a note that if mounting the Thule Motion XXL (biggest one) with the BMW racks, you will not be able to clear a 8 foot high garage door.

Are you sure about that? I have an 8'5" door and I measure over 30" of clearance between the roof and the actual door. I had assumed this was more than enough room.

[starlights]

Originally Posted by sharp

I got OEM bars this week and they do have whistle noise at 25mph and above. I searched the forum and found a thread recommending putting 3/4" black electric tape on the black rubber inserts that go along the bars, and it helped reduce the whistle significantly, but not completely. The fix took me 15 min max. I'm not quite sure why some have the whistle noise and others don't.

In addition to the above suggestion, it helps to not have the bars positioned too far forward. Try experimenting with the position of the front bar a little. I have nearly no whistle on my X5 and Thule bars.

[sharp]

Originally Posted by starlights

In addition to the above suggestion, it helps to not have the bars positioned too far forward. Try experimenting with the position of the front bar a little. I have nearly no whistle on my X5 and Thule bars.

There are notches on the roof rails suggesting where the cross bars should be mounted. I'm concerned that moving the cross bars may affect proper weight distribution.

[PablitoX7m]

BMW roof rack w/ BMW big box! Love it!

[KingB_O]

- Thule Motion XT Size L
- Original BMW Crossbars

Mounted the crossbars exactly at the recommended position according installation instructions, roof box centered, all the way back and fully loaded using 4x Thule duffel bags plus Recaro Baby Stroller in transport case.

Zero wind noise 😎 - 8,5L/100km with an 2024 X7 40d on German Autobahn with 135km/h travel speed ( 6.5L/100km without roof box possible ).

[Guest4now]

I picked up a used Yakima skybox 21 and need to get bars. I’d go with the BMW since they are quickest to install. I don’t like the way they look so it would be on and off with the box.

The turtle look decent. Are they as quick to put on and off?

I’m trying to use the box on my x7 and my wife’s 2017 Lexus RX350. It doesn’t seem like there is a turtle kit that can work with the integrated rails on her car and the raised rails on the x7. Would it be possible to keep Thule Areobars attached to the box and swap bases/mounts?

[keg97]

Originally Posted by Guest4now

I picked up a used Yakima skybox 21 and need to get bars. I’d go with the BMW since they are quickest to install. I don’t like the way they look so it would be on and off with the box.

The turtle look decent. Are they as quick to put on and off?

I’m trying to use the box on my x7 and my wife’s 2017 Lexus RX350. It doesn’t seem like there is a turtle kit that can work with the integrated rails on her car and the raised rails on the x7. Would it be possible to keep Thule Areobars attached to the box and swap bases/mounts?

It's hard to compare putting on the OEM BMW bars v. the Turtles since I've only had the Turtles. Additionally I'm not handy at all and typically only put the Turtles on the X7 1-2x/year. So saying all that- they are easy to put on. The best part to me, beyond the price; they are low profile and nearly all black.

[Ricsuaq]

My wife convinced me we needed a roof box, so $1600 later, here it is. And after using it, we realized we should have bought one years ago.

It’s a Thule Motion 3 XL on top of BMW cross bars. I would like a lower profile, maybe eventually I’ll get bars that sit lower. The box matches the car great, though.

The X7 is still filthy from the road trip, sorry.

[ok31]

Sorry guys I know this was answered somewhere and the consensus is I guess everyone either carries a step stool or stands in the doorwell or in the seats? I’m 6’3” and can’t imagine getting stuff into a box when I’m standing in curb sidewalk side with lowest suspension, let alone on some snowy or hilly terrain…

[Boiler Up!]

Originally Posted by ok31

Sorry guys I know this was answered somewhere and the consensus is I guess everyone either carries a step stool or stands in the doorwell or in the seats? I’m 6’3” and can’t imagine getting stuff into a box when I’m standing in curb sidewalk side with lowest suspension, let alone on some snowy or hilly terrain…

Yep, open the door and stand on the sill.

Here’s my contribution. Thule WingBar Edge rails with Motion XT L box. I originally used it with my M5, so it’s maybe a bit smaller than it could be. Plus side is that it clears an 8’ garage door.

[sharp]

Originally Posted by ok31

Sorry guys I know this was answered somewhere and the consensus is I guess everyone either carries a step stool or stands in the doorwell or in the seats? I’m 6’3” and can’t imagine getting stuff into a box when I’m standing in curb sidewalk side with lowest suspension, let alone on some snowy or hilly terrain…

I considered multiple step stools and mini ladders, but they all take additional storage space, which makes a roof box much less practical. So I just open a door and stand on a sill. It's not the most convenient way to load and unload a roof box, but it works pretty well for me, and I got used to it very quickly. Having a helper on the ground makes the process easier as well.

[ok31]

Why do most opt for the motion instead of the force?

[sharp]

Originally Posted by ok31

Why do most opt for the motion instead of the force?

Normally the price difference isn't to big, and the Motion is considered a step up in terms of aerodynamics, materials and the locking mechanism. If the price difference is significant, then the Force line makes a lot of sense.

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2136559

[ok31]

Originally Posted by sharp

Normally the price difference isn't to big, and the Motion is considered a step up in terms of aerodynamics, materials and the locking mechanism. If the price difference is significant, then the Force line makes a lot of sense.

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2136559

That’s a huge price difference id jump in on. Otherwise yeah maybe the motion is better but they are now on motion 3, no more XT.

[ok31]

How does everyone measure proper spacing between the bmw oem rails? I out mine on but am stressing measuring their silly 485mm and 780mm and can’t really get it because the notches on the bottom and the middle of the rails don’t seem to be lined up. Should I just adjust based on the box I get?

[das2050]

Originally Posted by ok31

How does everyone measure proper spacing between the bmw oem rails? I out mine on but am stressing measuring their silly 485mm and 780mm and can’t really get it because the notches on the bottom and the middle of the rails don’t seem to be lined up. Should I just adjust based on the box I get?

There are specific marks on the BMW rails for where to put the crossbars.

[sharp]

Originally Posted by ok31

How does everyone measure proper spacing between the bmw oem rails? I out mine on but am stressing measuring their silly 485mm and 780mm and can’t really get it because the notches on the bottom and the middle of the rails don’t seem to be lined up. Should I just adjust based on the box I get?

I'm not quite sure what you mean to be honest. I install the OEM cross bars exactly where the notches are on the roof rails. Then I put my roof box on them. The roof box's and the mounting clamps' poison then can be adjusted to attach everything securely.

[ok31]

Originally Posted by sharp

I'm not quite sure what you mean to be honest. I install the OEM cross bars exactly where the notches are on the roof rails. Then I put my roof box on them. The roof box's and the mounting clamps' poison then can be adjusted to attach everything securely.

Maybe a silly question but what do you use as a gauge of being even on both sides and am I being overly obsessive to ensure the 485mm stated in the manual from front of rail to center of cross bar and 780mm from center to center of front and rear bars?

[ok31]

Originally Posted by das2050

There are specific marks on the BMW rails for where to put the crossbars.

Yes, I aligned with those and used the knob facing down as a relative measure to line up with the notch. But just wondering if I have to be in the general vicinity to the notch or if there’s a way to be exact somehow.

[sharp]

Originally Posted by ok31

Maybe a silly question but what do you use as a gauge of being even on both sides and am I being overly obsessive to ensure the 485mm stated in the manual from front of rail to center of cross bar and 780mm from center to center of front and rear bars?

I've never heard about those distances to be honest, so my ignorance is a bliss 😁
But on a serious note, I remember reading somewhere in a user manual that cross bars must be positioned right where the notches are. I've done many trips with my roof box and never had any issues. Hope that helps.

[ok31]

Originally Posted by sharp

I've never heard about those distances to be honest, so my ignorance is a bliss 😁
But on a serious note, I remember reading somewhere in a user manual that cross bars must be positioned right where the notches are. I've done many trips with my roof box and never had any issues. Hope that helps.

I’m probably overthinking it. Thanks. Now to find and pickup the box…

[ok31]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on titan color vs black for the motion? Looks like I’m may be able to get a decent discount on the motion xt xl or xxl but only in titan (grey) color