[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by bagekko

The small hash marks on the underneath of the rail? Where does it say these are markings for crossbars? Its not in the manual, it says follow instructions of the accessory equipment and that says nothing about using those hash marks. The recommended specs in the manual for the crossbars is closer to where I mounted than those hash marks.

It's in the owners manual for the OEM crossbars.

It also states "The position of the railing carriers on the roof frail cannot be freely selected! Choosing a position different to that specified by BMW may result in the loss of the railing carriers and increase the risk of an accident." I didn't add the exclamation point. BMW did.

[bagekko]

Interesting, my manual must be an older version cause it does not mention the notches at all. I just measured my positioning and I am further off on the spec than I thought, but its there because I couldn't put them further up. I had confusion on if there were two diff versions of crossbars for the X7 when I bought them. Are there roof rail and cross bar variations for 2019-20 and 2021+?

Originally Posted by toddwalton

It's in the owners manual for the OEM crossbars.

It also states "The position of the railing carriers on the roof frail cannot be freely selected! Choosing a position different to that specified by BMW may result in the loss of the railing carriers and increase the risk of an accident." I didn't add the exclamation point. BMW did.

[bagekko]

OMG, thanks for making me think about this more. I know the box they came in had the right part number, but was really questioning what I have. Checked the part number on the bars, googled, they are X1 crossbars! WTF Amazon. The first set I got from them way back was damaged and now to come to find out I got X1 bars in an X7 box! Prolly from return fraud... great

Originally Posted by BMWX7m60i

Yes. As you stated, this is for if you use the OEM bars/clamps (not aftermarket). The OEM bars lock into a groove and it appears like BMW does not want you to lock in where it starts to slope toward the rear of the car.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by bagekko

Interesting, my manual must be an older version cause it does not mention the notches at all. I just measured my positioning and I am further off on the spec than I thought, but its there because I couldn't put them further up. I had confusion on if there were two diff versions of crossbars for the X7 when I bought them. Are there roof rail and cross bar variations for 2019-20 and 2021+?

Wow, just read your other response, you need to get rid of those X1 crossbars stat!

[bagekko]

Now Amazon thinks I have 3 of them, didn't go with lowest price, choose one from a dealer that sells on Amazon, sucks I am gonna take a big hit from having to sell these X1 bars and that the X7 ones are much more exp then 2 yrs ago.

Originally Posted by toddwalton

Wow, just read your other response, you need to get rid of those X1 crossbars stat!

[BMWX7m60i]

Originally Posted by BMWX7m60i

With this set up there is 2 inches left with sunroof open. Enough room for box clamps and lower profile.

2 inches left between open sunroof and bars with this setup. Enough room for sunroof to open..

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by bagekko

Now Amazon thinks I have 3 of them, didn't go with lowest price, choose one from a dealer that sells on Amazon, sucks I am gonna take a big hit from having to sell these X1 bars and that the X7 ones are much more exp then 2 yrs ago.

Amazon is usually pretty good about this. Have you called them? Their on-phone customer service has always been a lifeline for me when their online tools don't allow for a satisfactory resolution. That seller risked your safety, doesn't matter how long ago the mistake took place. Give Amazon a call, let them solve this for you.

[Eugr]

Joined Thule Motion XT XL with BMW crossbars club Was going to get a BMW-branded one first, but found Thule in stock locally. Glad I didn’t go with XXL option - this thing is huge!

[guywithcat]

Remember -- if you don't get aerodynamic bars you can get wind noise and whistles. Some brands better than others. Google around.

[Setllarboss]

Does the box impact fuel economy and handling? Can someone share their experience? I was looking to get one as there is miserable space once 3rd row is in use. I can barely fit a stroller.

[jtariq]

Originally Posted by Setllarboss

Does the box impact fuel economy and handling? Can someone share their experience? I was looking to get one as there is miserable space once 3rd row is in use. I can barely fit a stroller.

I have noticed about 2mpg difference on the freeway. City driving seems less impacted. I only put it on for out of town trips and take it off once I get back. I do leave the roof rack on though.

[Setllarboss]

Originally Posted by jtariq

I have noticed about 2mpg difference on the freeway. City driving seems less impacted. I only put it on for out of town trips and take it off once I get back. I do leave the roof rack on though.

Thank you!

[jtariq]

Originally Posted by Setllarboss

Thank you!

Please do take my numbers with a grain of salt. Drive terrain and the size/shape of the box are significant factors. The gas mileage has not deterred me from using the box though since it’s pretty much a need if the 3rd row is up. I have the Thule aeroblades on the rack and a Thule Sonic XXL cargo box.

[Eugr]

Originally Posted by Setllarboss

Does the box impact fuel economy and handling? Can someone share their experience? I was looking to get one as there is miserable space once 3rd row is in use. I can barely fit a stroller.

I'm seeing about 2mpg difference on the freeway and no noticeable difference on the city streets. This is with BMW crossbars and Thule Motion XT XL.

Handling is the same, but you need to keep your speed under 80mph.

There is a bit of extra wind noise but it's barely noticeable.

The biggest downside is clearance - can't fit in many parking garages.

[tonyly0238]

Originally Posted by bagekko

Now Amazon thinks I have 3 of them, didn't go with lowest price, choose one from a dealer that sells on Amazon, sucks I am gonna take a big hit from having to sell these X1 bars and that the X7 ones are much more exp then 2 yrs ago.

Glad I read your post and I was about to order from Amazon. Are you saying this one selling on Amazon is actually for X1 instead of X7? Thank you!

[agnisco]

I finally had the opportunity to use the cargo box for the first time. Installation of the BMW OEM bars and Thule Motion XL completed in under 10 minutes. Yes, I wish the factory bars were a little lower and sat a little further to the rear for better aesthetics. But I followed factory instructions to ensure that that if there was ever a problem that I was to factory spec. And yes, I know the car is dirty. It’s raining so much in Washington state right now that it’s impossible to keep it clean.

[bagekko]

No, each purchase was X7 spec & parts, but somehow either the wrong bars were in the box, they sent the wrong box, or someone returned X1 bars in an X7 box. After the whole fiasco my last order was correct, complained to Amazon and they did a restocking fee refund which was a 10-20% I cant remember for the order which was the wrong bars. Amazon makes a lot of mistakes, but they always make it right.

Originally Posted by tonyly0238

Glad I read your post and I was about to order from Amazon. Are you saying this one selling on Amazon is actually for X1 instead of X7? Thank you!

[sharp]

agnisco, the roof box looks great. I'm actually thinking of buying exactly the same rig for my X7. Have you considered non-OEM cross bars in black color to better match the style of your car? If yes, then why didn't go go with them? Are you planning to remove the cross bars after every trip or you're planning to keep them all the time?

Thanks!

[agnisco]

Originally Posted by sharp

agnisco, the roof box looks great. I'm actually thinking of buying exactly the same rig for my X7. Have you considered non-OEM cross bars in black color to better match the style of your car? If yes, then why didn't go go with them? Are you planning to remove the cross bars after every trip or you're planning to keep them all the time?

Thanks!

I don’t keep the bars on. I chose the OEM bars because they are super easy to take on and off. This can be done in literally less than five minutes. Though I like the look of lower profile bars like the Thule blades, with the OEM bars are no weird straps wrapped around the bars like with the Thule bars. Regardless of brand, I prefer the look of the car without any bars.
Again, being that OEM bars are the quickest on and off, they are a great choice if you don’t want to help the bars on permanently. Also, with the OEM bars, you are pretty much guaranteed that you can still open the sunroofs with the bars attached and a box or other accessory attached. This may or may not be the case with some of the after market bars. I’m not sure because I haven’t researched it enough. Being that the OEM bars are designed for the OEM roof rails, I am thinking you are running less of a risk of scratching, gouging, or otherwise damaging your roof rails (as long you install them correctly). Also, being that they are factory bars, I think it’s more likely that if something went wrong, BMW would be more likely to cover you or help you out than they would if you were using Yakima or Thule bars. I suppose the flip side to that argument is that I’m not using an OEM box, so BMW may have an issue with that. But I’m more concerned about the interface between the rails and bars, so I am keeping that OEM.

I definitely like the look of the low profile Thule or Yakima bars. But I am sacrificing that look for all the reasons above. If I planned on keeping the bars on full time, I’d be more willing to buy a low profile set of black Thule blades. But again, because I will only have the bars on when I use the box (which is only 2-3 times per year), I chose the OEM bars because no other bars are easier and faster to install and remove.

Hope this helps.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by agnisco

I finally had the opportunity to use the cargo box for the first time. Installation of the BMW OEM bars and Thule Motion XL completed in under 10 minutes.

Looks great!

I don't understand why anyone would leave their crossbars up on the roof all year long when they only need the cargo box 7-14 days per year max. OEM is quick and easy up/down and the safest option.

[kendallc24]

Originally Posted by agnisco

I don’t keep the bars on. I chose the OEM bars because they are super easy to take on and off. This can be done in literally less than five minutes. Though I like the look of lower profile bars like the Thule blades, with the OEM bars are no weird straps wrapped around the bars like with the Thule bars. Regardless of brand, I prefer the look of the car without any bars.
Again, being that OEM bars are the quickest on and off, they are a great choice if you don’t want to help the bars on permanently. Also, with the OEM bars, you are pretty much guaranteed that you can still open the sunroofs with the bars attached and a box or other accessory attached. This may or may not be the case with some of the after market bars. I’m not sure because I haven’t researched it enough. Being that the OEM bars are designed for the OEM roof rails, I am thinking you are running less of a risk of scratching, gouging, or otherwise damaging your roof rails (as long you install them correctly). Also, being that they are factory bars, I think it’s more likely that if something went wrong, BMW would be more likely to cover you or help you out than they would if you were using Yakima or Thule bars. I suppose the flip side to that argument is that I’m not using an OEM box, so BMW may have an issue with that. But I’m more concerned about the interface between the rails and bars, so I am keeping that OEM.

I definitely like the look of the low profile Thule or Yakima bars. But I am sacrificing that look for all the reasons above. If I planned on keeping the bars on full time, I’d be more willing to buy a low profile set of black Thule blades. But again, because I will only have the bars on when I use the box (which is only 2-3 times per year), I chose the OEM bars because no other bars are easier and faster to install and remove.

Hope this helps.

What is your garage clearance?

[agnisco]

Originally Posted by kendallc24

What is your garage clearance?

About 4” getting in and out. With the garage door closed, I can open and load the box without interference.