Roof rack on M Coupe

double0jimb0 · 02-20-2009, 12:01 AM

Wanted to post for those who are looking for a roof rack for the Coupe.

I found these suction cup racks through a post on Lotustalk.com (strangely, google no longer returns the specific post...). A poster there had started a website/company, racksthatsuck.com. He's no longer running the website, but had a few extra laying around, so gave it a shot.

Just screwing around at home, I accidentally pulled the lenolium off the laundry room floor, I couldn't believe how hard they gripped.

Installing on the car was a bit tricky. I park in an outside covered garage, so in the winter, the car is always cold. I think a combo of cold air and less flexible rubber on the suction cups maked for attaching them a little sketchy. And I always brought a bottle of windex and clean microfiber rag with me.

Couple shots below of the rack installed. Swung by Red Rocks, part of the standard tour for Denver visitors. Also a cool pano shot from inside, my friend stitched a bunch of single images together. And the final shot, I just found out the racks will mount lengthwise (within about a half inch) on the rear glass. Makes it much more convenient, can open and close hatch without removing skis from the rack, will probably use this set up from now on... skis may stick out a bit on the sides tho.

Dammmittt · 02-20-2009, 12:42 AM

Interesting...thanks for the post.

andrewj7 · 02-20-2009, 12:42 AM

That's cool, where are those for sale?

rc'Z · 02-20-2009, 06:08 AM

Mounted on the front window makes it kind of tough on the windshield wipers, doesn't it?

double0jimb0 · 02-20-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rc'Z

Mounted on the front window makes it kind of tough on the windshield wipers, doesn't it?

You have a good eye. The way it was mounted in the first few pics, you can not use the wipers. Luckily I did not find out the hard way. You could mount both sets of suction cups on the roof, or go with the way shown in the last photo.

As for being for sale, like I said, the website is no longer up. I ended up PM'ing the user 'Graydon' on the lotustalk.com website.

3002 tii · 02-20-2009, 08:46 AM

i really like the shot of it on the hatch. if you dont mind me asking, how much were these? i'd like to get a set myself..

double0jimb0 · 02-20-2009, 09:13 AM

With a couple people expressing interest in the racks, let me give full disclosure.

AFAIK, these racks are home made by 'Graydon' on the Lotustalk.com forum. I can no longer access the original post, you might have different luck: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f172...res-etc-57358/
Also, his website, racksthatsuck.com, is now defunct. Both sides disappearing is strange, read into that what you will.

In december Graydon put another post on Lotustalk.com saying he had a few left for sale, so I PM'd him on that website. If you want a pair, I assume you will have to do the same.

I paid $220 including shipping. They are home made. He didn't state it specifically, but I am assuming there is no guarentee, warranty, insurance, etc... I assumed all this going in. These are not a polished commercial product. I am an engineer by trade, so I took a long hard look at them before deciding to put them on the car. Even then, I did a couple test drives, constantly checking them, before deciding to make a long haul to Vail, etc. Please don't see these as equivalent to a Thule or Yakima rack, they are a one off, use at your own risk.

But all that being said, I am very happy with the product, they work as advertised and certainly are unique. If some one ends up getting a set, I would certainly be willing to share the do's and don'ts I've learned so far.

Dammmittt · 02-20-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by double0jimb0

With a couple people expressing interest in the racks, let me give full disclosure.

AFAIK, these racks are home made by 'Graydon' on the Lotustalk.com forum. I can no longer access the original post, you might have different luck: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f172...res-etc-57358/
Also, his website, racksthatsuck.com, is now defunct. Both sides disappearing is strange, read into that what you will.

In december Graydon put another post on Lotustalk.com saying he had a few left for sale, so I PM'd him on that website. If you want a pair, I assume you will have to do the same.

I paid $220 including shipping. They are home made. He didn't state it specifically, but I am assuming there is no guarentee, warranty, insurance, etc... I assumed all this going in. These are not a polished commercial product. I am an engineer by trade, so I took a long hard look at them before deciding to put them on the car. Even then, I did a couple test drives, constantly checking them, before deciding to make a long haul to Vail, etc. Please don't see these as equivalent to a Thule or Yakima rack, they are a one off, use at your own risk.

But all that being said, I am very happy with the product, they work as advertised and certainly are unique. If some one ends up getting a set, I would certainly be willing to share the do's and don'ts I've learned so far.

What is you highest sustained top speed with the rack mounted?

double0jimb0 · 02-22-2009, 05:26 PM

As for highest sustained speed, I stay with traffic in the left lane on I-70, which usually does about 80. And in a serious lapse of concentation, I once let it creep up to somewhere north of 100 on a steep downhill. I heard a slight pop, I checked the rack on the next offramp, and one of the front cups had slid backwards about 1/4". I'd say somewhere between 100 - 105 is the limit, not that I plan on ever testing it again.

3002 tii · 02-22-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by double0jimb0

As for highest sustained speed, I stay with traffic in the left lane on I-70, which usually does about 80. And in a serious lapse of concentation, I once let it creep up to somewhere north of 100 on a steep downhill. I heard a slight pop, I checked the rack on the next offramp, and one of the front cups had slid backwards about 1/4". I'd say somewhere between 100 - 105 is the limit, not that I plan on ever testing it again.

was this when it was on the rear hatch or the roof?

double0jimb0 · 02-22-2009, 10:09 PM

That was with the racks mounted on the top of the car. Thr front crossbar was mounted to the windsheild, and the rear crossbar to the top of the roof. And because it was cold when I was installing them, I don't think they had the greatest suction at the time.

Hawkeye · 02-25-2009, 10:05 AM

Cool little racks! I don't ski but if I did I am sure I'd be interested!

scottyD · 02-27-2009, 04:22 PM

Looks like RealOEM shows a roof/hatch rack system from BMW.

For what it's worth...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...58&hg=82&fg=51

BTM · 01-13-2011, 11:46 AM

Here is a similar solution, seem to be for skis only

http://www.etonrack.com/_vti_002/product.html

More pics http://www.etonrack.com/_vti_005/pictures.html

Huz-Z · 01-13-2011, 11:57 AM

If mounted on the hatch glass, I would avoid heavily loading them due to the risk of damaging the glass or loosening it or the hatch mechanism with wind loading at high speed.

You can probably load up heavier objects with the racks on the roof.

Do they make one for roadsters LOL!

BTM · 01-13-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Do they make one for roadsters LOL!

Depending on how long your skis are I don't see why you couldn't mount it horizontally on the trunk

BTM · 01-21-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTM

Here is a similar solution, seem to be for skis only

http://www.etonrack.com/_vti_002/product.html

More pics http://www.etonrack.com/_vti_005/pictures.html

Got mine today...pics here

02-20-2009, 12:01 AM	#1
double0jimb0 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 39 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	Roof rack on M Coupe Wanted to post for those who are looking for a roof rack for the Coupe. I found these suction cup racks through a post on Lotustalk.com (strangely, google no longer returns the specific post...). A poster there had started a website/company, racksthatsuck.com. He's no longer running the website, but had a few extra laying around, so gave it a shot. Just screwing around at home, I accidentally pulled the lenolium off the laundry room floor, I couldn't believe how hard they gripped. Installing on the car was a bit tricky. I park in an outside covered garage, so in the winter, the car is always cold. I think a combo of cold air and less flexible rubber on the suction cups maked for attaching them a little sketchy. And I always brought a bottle of windex and clean microfiber rag with me. Couple shots below of the rack installed. Swung by Red Rocks, part of the standard tour for Denver visitors. Also a cool pano shot from inside, my friend stitched a bunch of single images together. And the final shot, I just found out the racks will mount lengthwise (within about a half inch) on the rear glass. Makes it much more convenient, can open and close hatch without removing skis from the rack, will probably use this set up from now on... skis may stick out a bit on the sides tho. Attached Images
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02-20-2009, 12:42 AM	#2
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 169 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	Interesting...thanks for the post. __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
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02-20-2009, 12:42 AM	#3
andrewj7 Private 7 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Z4 Coupe (#40) w/Nav,Sprt,Prem Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Altos Hills, CA iTrader: (0)	That's cool, where are those for sale?
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02-20-2009, 06:08 AM	#4
rc'Z Captain 13 Rep 821 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Mounted on the front window makes it kind of tough on the windshield wipers, doesn't it?
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02-20-2009, 08:46 AM	#6
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2286 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	i really like the shot of it on the hatch. if you dont mind me asking, how much were these? i'd like to get a set myself.. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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02-20-2009, 09:13 AM	#7
double0jimb0 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 39 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	With a couple people expressing interest in the racks, let me give full disclosure. AFAIK, these racks are home made by 'Graydon' on the Lotustalk.com forum. I can no longer access the original post, you might have different luck: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f172...res-etc-57358/ Also, his website, racksthatsuck.com, is now defunct. Both sides disappearing is strange, read into that what you will. In december Graydon put another post on Lotustalk.com saying he had a few left for sale, so I PM'd him on that website. If you want a pair, I assume you will have to do the same. I paid $220 including shipping. They are home made. He didn't state it specifically, but I am assuming there is no guarentee, warranty, insurance, etc... I assumed all this going in. These are not a polished commercial product. I am an engineer by trade, so I took a long hard look at them before deciding to put them on the car. Even then, I did a couple test drives, constantly checking them, before deciding to make a long haul to Vail, etc. Please don't see these as equivalent to a Thule or Yakima rack, they are a one off, use at your own risk. But all that being said, I am very happy with the product, they work as advertised and certainly are unique. If some one ends up getting a set, I would certainly be willing to share the do's and don'ts I've learned so far.
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02-22-2009, 05:26 PM	#9
double0jimb0 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 39 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	As for highest sustained speed, I stay with traffic in the left lane on I-70, which usually does about 80. And in a serious lapse of concentation, I once let it creep up to somewhere north of 100 on a steep downhill. I heard a slight pop, I checked the rack on the next offramp, and one of the front cups had slid backwards about 1/4". I'd say somewhere between 100 - 105 is the limit, not that I plan on ever testing it again.
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02-22-2009, 10:09 PM	#11
double0jimb0 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 39 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	That was with the racks mounted on the top of the car. Thr front crossbar was mounted to the windsheild, and the rear crossbar to the top of the roof. And because it was cold when I was installing them, I don't think they had the greatest suction at the time.
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02-25-2009, 10:05 AM	#12
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	Cool little racks! I don't ski but if I did I am sure I'd be interested! __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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02-27-2009, 04:22 PM	#13
scottyD Private First Class 2 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 07 3.0si Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC/Baltimore area iTrader: (0)	Looks like RealOEM shows a roof/hatch rack system from BMW. For what it's worth... http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...58&hg=82&fg=51
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01-13-2011, 11:46 AM	#14
BTM Banned 483 Rep 10,309 Posts Drives: A///MERICAN!!! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: A///MERICA!!! iTrader: (11) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [7.20]	Here is a similar solution, seem to be for skis only http://www.etonrack.com/_vti_002/product.html More pics http://www.etonrack.com/_vti_005/pictures.html
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01-13-2011, 11:57 AM	#15
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	If mounted on the hatch glass, I would avoid heavily loading them due to the risk of damaging the glass or loosening it or the hatch mechanism with wind loading at high speed. You can probably load up heavier objects with the racks on the roof. Do they make one for roadsters LOL! __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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