e34 Touring rack question

[motuman]

I'm thinking of picking up an e34 touring and I have a question about the factory rack.

Are there factory "crossbars" available and would they be strong enough to hold a surfboard ay highway speeds?

Can you fit any aftermarket racks with the factory rack rails in place?

I attached a photo from the car I am looking at. There are no crossbars and it doesn't look like there would be room to mount an aftermarket rack... (Yes this has the panoramic roof, or whatever it's called. Does that make a difference?)

Thanks!

[bubba966]

Apparently there's a factory surf board rack available...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=82_0283&hg=82&fg=51

Would imagine it'd be fine at highway speeds. Don't see how they could sell it if it wasn't.

[MBXB]

I have the factory surf rack. It has a pretty decent grip on the roofline gutter, but I run a couple of long tie downs thru the windows as a backup. Ive had 3 stacked boards and a bag of gear tied on. With the board noses curved down, they provide decent downforce at highway speed (80+-)

[motuman]

Apparently there's a factory surf board rack available...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=82_0283&hg=82&fg=51

Would imagine it'd be fine at highway speeds. Don't see how they could sell it if it wasn't.

Thanks for the part #...

[motuman]

I have the factory surf rack. It has a pretty decent grip on the roofline gutter, but I run a couple of long tie downs thru the windows as a backup. Ive had 3 stacked boards and a bag of gear tied on. With the board noses curved down, they provide decent downforce at highway speed (80+-)

Hey thanks,

Does your surf rack mount to the factory rack rails shown in my photo? Or is it a stand alone part with a gutter mount like Yakima uses?

[MBXB]

I have a 4 door sedan so no roof rails.
It's more like Yakima. It doesn't look as clamped in since there isn't a real gutter to grip, but it's designed well. I pull on it to check and it's never come off.
The racks use a special tool (surprise surprise) to tighten. I ordered it from the local dealer. I was surprised it was still in stock. If I remember correctly, it cost around $275. I can post some shots of the mounting. PM me.

[bubba966]

Thanks for the part #...

Welcome. I looked up a 6/94 build 525iT (friend has one so I'm used to looking that model up) and found the roof rack page for that. But I'd imagine that it'd be the same for any of the tourings as I don't think they changed any part of the roof rails during over the models/model years.

[motuman]

Welcome. I looked up a 6/94 build 525iT (friend has one so I'm used to looking that model up) and found the roof rack page for that. But I'd imagine that it'd be the same for any of the tourings as I don't think they changed any part of the roof rails during over the models/model years.

Hey thanks Bubba. Did you see cross bars available when you looked?

When I had a quick look at REAL OEM I found retrofit roof rails available, but did not find a page showing the crossbars.

[Tiger]

I like Thule racks and you should look into aftermarket rather than factory products. I am sure Thule has something that will let you use your factory rack.

[motuman]

I like Thule racks and you should look into aftermarket rather than factory products. I am sure Thule has something that will let you use your factory rack.

I generally agree with you, but I'm not entirely sure an aftermarket rack will fit around the factory rails since they are so wide, especially without gutters.

Just wanted to see if other touring owners were able to fit something with or without using the factory rails.

[Tiger]

369 Specialty Foot Pack | LB50 Load Bars

That's what Thule website said... it attaches to the factory rails.

http://www.thuleracks.com/fg_choices.asp?car_id=312&sport=25&factory_roof_rack=&year=1995&roof_id=5738&option_number=1

$220 at Thule direct but you can get it much cheaper...

$160 at ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Thule-444-445-409-430-415-953-368-369-4304-758-305-387_W0QQitemZ330358670308QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSnowbo arding?hash=item4ceae943e4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Shop hard... maybe you can piece them yourself for much cheaper... I know you can get the load bars for $70 on ebay.

[bubba966]

369 Specialty Foot Pack | LB50 Load Bars

That's what Thule website said... it attaches to the factory rails.

http://www.thuleracks.com/fg_choices.asp?car_id=312&sport=25&factory_roof_rack=&year=1995&roof_id=5738&option_number=1

$220 at Thule direct but you can get it much cheaper...

$160 at ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Thule-444-445-409-430-415-953-368-369-4304-758-305-387_W0QQitemZ330358670308QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSnowbo arding?hash=item4ceae943e4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Shop hard... maybe you can piece them yourself for much cheaper... I know you can get the load bars for $70 on ebay.

Kinda spendy when you can get the factory surfboard rack from www.getbmwparts.com for $83.16

And you've got to add the surfboard attachment to the Thule rack. That's another $30 on top of the $220 or $160...

[Tiger]

Oh! I didn't know it was so affordable or still available.

[motuman]

Kinda spendy when you can get the factory surfboard rack from www.getbmwparts.com for $83.16

And you've got to add the surfboard attachment to the Thule rack. That's another $30 on top of the $220 or $160...

Hey thank guys...
I found a couple of interesting pics online. One shows what looks like the factory cross members and another shows what looks like the Thule Sytem, with the factory rails still in place.
One potential with the factory system, is that the touring I'm looking at doesn't have the crossmembers, as I mentioned in my original post.
According to www.getbmwparts.com, the cross members are $256 each:( if I'm reading that right....

[bubba966]

Does the factory surfboard kit come with the rails it shows in the pics? I've not ever really looked into the roof racks before, but it doesn't say anything in the parts description on the surfboard rack page about it needing to go with a separate set of rails. It usually says "in conjunction with" when you need to buy something else to go along with it.

So do need to get a set of rails like this http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=82_0282&hg=82&fg=51 along with the surfboard kit?

If so getbmwparts.com lists it at $160 for the set.

Not sure where this $256/rail comes from. What part # is that?

[motuman]

Does the factory surfboard kit come with the rails it shows in the pics? I've not ever really looked into the roof racks before, but it doesn't say anything in the parts description on the surfboard rack page about it needing to go with a separate set of rails. It usually says "in conjunction with" when you need to buy something else to go along with it.

So do need to get a set of rails like this http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=82_0282&hg=82&fg=51 along with the surfboard kit?

If so getbmwparts.com lists it at $160 for the set.

Not sure where this $256/rail comes from. What part # is that?

Rails are already on the car. The question is cross members. If they are not needed with the surf board rack, then that is a good deal! From the Real OEM diagram it looks like those are stand alone racks that could be used on a sedan or touring, with or without a factory rack.

It sounds like member MBXB has the racks you mentioned but needed a $275 "special tool" to install them (see post in this thread).

I have a 4 door sedan so no roof rails. It's more like Yakima. It doesn't look as clamped in since there isn't a real gutter to grip, but it's designed well. I pull on it to check and it's never come off.
The racks use a special tool (surprise surprise) to tighten. I ordered it from the local dealer. I was surprised it was still in stock. If I remember correctly, it cost around $275. I can post some shots of the mounting. PM me.

The cross members I was referring to are listed here -

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getJointLocator&siteid=214672&chapter=&sectionids=0,2695&groupid=10108&subgroupid=2540&componentid=2878&make=3&model=5%20series&year=1995&catalogid=2&displayCatalogid=0

and probably look the ones shown in this pic...

[bubba966]

Rails are already on the car. The question is cross members. If they are not needed with the surf board rack, then that is a good deal! From the Real OEM diagram it looks like those are stand alone racks that could be used on a sedan or touring, with or without a factory rack.

It sounds like member MBXB has the racks you mentioned but needed a $275 "special tool" to install them (see post in this thread).

I have a 4 door sedan so no roof rails. It's more like Yakima. It doesn't look as clamped in since there isn't a real gutter to grip, but it's designed well. I pull on it to check and it's never come off.
The racks use a special tool (surprise surprise) to tighten. I ordered it from the local dealer. I was surprised it was still in stock. If I remember correctly, it cost around $275. I can post some shots of the mounting. PM me.

The cross members I was referring to are listed here -

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getJointLocator&siteid=214672&chapter=&sectionids=0,2695&groupid=10108&subgroupid=2540&componentid=2878&make=3&model=5%20series&year=1995&catalogid=2&displayCatalogid=0

and probably look the ones shown in this pic...

Hmm, that looks like these crossmembers (part #8) http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ91&mospid=47399&btnr=82_0267&hg=82&fg=51

$426.40 for the set at getbmwparts.com

Interesting that they didn't have that listed for the 525iT but had it listed for the M5T along with a few other things not listed under the M5T diagrams...

[Tiger]

In that case, the Thule setup is cheaper.... the Thule price I mentioned is for a pair of crossbars and 4 feet that attaches to the factory rails... and lockable.

[motuman]

In that case, the Thule setup is cheaper.... the Thule price I mentioned is for a pair of crossbars and 4 feet that attaches to the factory rails... and lockable.

I think the Thule attaches directly to the roof, not too the factory rails....

The Thule 369 Specialty Foot Pack for Toyota, BMW & Mercedes Benz Roof Racks are made specifically for specific BMWs and Mercedes that have thin raingutters. To complete this system please include Thule Load Bars and locks.

Foot blade is specifically designed for best possible fit
Vibration-damping and anti-slip vinyl coating
Requires load bars to complete the rack system
Complete security with 4 Thule lock cylinders, sold separately

[Tiger]

Ahh... didn't know that... Wrll now you know all the options for your car.

[MBXB]

Here's the rack set I have. The price I mentioned was for the entire rig, not just the tool.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=82_0282&hg=82&fg=51

[genphreak]

Try to avoid using the universal slim gutter mounts for fitting any e34 (sometimes these are the only ones available for e34, but they seem tobe the universal type racks for any car with slim/recessed gutters). These will upset your door rubbers fitting flush to the gutter rails- and deform them over time.

So if you are lucky enough to have a touring (and thus roof rails for better and safer fitment), it is far better to utilise them instead.

I don't think Thule have a set (is this is the best they have (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=82_0282&hg=82&fg=51)?) that fit like a glove (the way the Oris ones do. They are a German manufacturer owned by Bosal that don't have much info online. However they have a set that fit Benz C-class wagons with rails similar to the e34: Check out www.bmwe34.net (http://www.bmwe34.net/Wiki/tiki-index.php?page=Roof+Rack) for info on the slight mods needed to make them fit beautifully. They sound easy to get in the US. Not so here in Aus tho- my enquiries took me overseas straight away.

Ah-hah!

I found that MontBlanc (Sorry about the poor pun, did anyone see the Blizzard of Ahhs? Looks like they named this Roof Rack company on some link to the fact that many skiers need roof rails...). Anyway, MontBlanc do a set for Benx C124 like the Oris'- I found these for the "Mercedes-Benz C Class (T202) 5dr Estate 96-00". I think this might be the same as the model used on the bmwe34.net writeup. Now they may not work out as the Oris' do... but here's the details:

The only ebay site I can find the MontBlanc stuff on is www.ebay.co.uk (http://www.ebay.co.uk/). There's a few ebay shops that have them- Bargains2Clear (http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Bargains2Clear__W0QQ_armrsZ1) and towbarman01 (http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/towbarman01/) have them for just over $100USD a set- maybe in the US they are cheap too? Choices include:

Standard System: 404U
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/rail.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/products/bars/red/404u.htm)
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/inst.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/support/inst/404u.pdf)

Premium System: 3701 106
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/pimage2rr.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/products/bars/blue/blue.htm)
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/inst.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/support/inst/3701.pdf)

Ready Fit System: RF20
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/rf20.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/products/bars/blue/blue.htm)
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/inst.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/support/inst/rf20.pdf)

All roof bar fitments exclude vehicles with 'full roof' sun roofs.

This link works for now (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mont-Blanc-Roof-Bars-BMW-5-Ser-Touring-5dr-Est-97-04_W0QQitemZ330310720327QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Cars Parts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4ce80d9b47&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14), but I suspect we need to do more browsing to find the detail.


But beware: MontBlanc, specify 2 types that fit the e34 wagon, and look to be both gutter mount like the Thule ones:

Standard System: 405U
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/gut.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/products/bars/red/405u.htm)
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/inst.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/support/inst/405u.pdf)

Premium System: 205 and 126
http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/inetpub/wwwroot/myweb/pimage2gu.jpg (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/products/bars/blue/blue.htm)

All roof bar fitments exclude vehicles with 'full roof' sun roofs.


I wonder what that last part means... is it the lawyer's helping the sales team to sell to all the zillions of e34 touring owners wth dual roofs? LOL!!!

It'd be great is somone with a touring in Europe could update us as to whether they are any good and easy to get? The one supplier here in Oz won't have stock.

Cheers, Nick

[genphreak]

These (http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/yourDetails.asp?car_model=5%20Series%20Touring%20R oofrails&rfoot=757&rbar=761&rABar=861&rkit=&rLock=&rSRA=&tFoot=415&tBar=761&tKit=&tSRA=&tSP=&tLocks=) are listed on the Thule website for BMW Wagon with rails; but do not mention the year or model.

However if you look up the C124 Merc with rails, it lists the same thing (http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/yourDetails.asp?car_model=C%20Class%20Roofrailings&rfoot=757&rbar=761&rABar=861&rkit=&rLock=&rSRA=&tFoot=415&tBar=761&tKit=&tSRA=&tSP=&tLocks=).

Thule Rapid System
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/jpgs/rapid_boxes.gif
Rapid Railing footpack
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/gif/755.jpg
Part #: 757

Bars - 108cm
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/gif/760.jpg
Part #: 760

Rapid System Optional Extras
Why not upgrade your 760 Square Bar to Aero Bars?

T Track Bars - 108cm
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/gif/860.jpg
Part #: 860

So it looks like these are the go, as everything else seems to be a copy of them! BTW: If you get a set of these, go for the T-track bars, they are lighter and much quieter at speed than the square metal ones!

[motuman]

These (http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/yourDetails.asp?car_model=5%20Series%20Touring%20R oofrails&rfoot=757&rbar=761&rABar=861&rkit=&rLock=&rSRA=&tFoot=415&tBar=761&tKit=&tSRA=&tSP=&tLocks=) are listed on the Thule website for BMW Wagon with rails; but do not mention the year or model.

However if you look up the C124 Merc with rails, it lists the same thing (http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/yourDetails.asp?car_model=C%20Class%20Roofrailings&rfoot=757&rbar=761&rABar=861&rkit=&rLock=&rSRA=&tFoot=415&tBar=761&tKit=&tSRA=&tSP=&tLocks=).

Thule Rapid System
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/jpgs/rapid_boxes.gif
Rapid Railing footpack
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/gif/755.jpg
Part #: 757

Bars - 108cm
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/gif/760.jpg
Part #: 760

Rapid System Optional Extras
Why not upgrade your 760 Square Bar to Aero Bars?

T Track Bars - 108cm
http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/gif/860.jpg
Part #: 860

So it looks like these are the go, as everything else seems to be a copy of them! BTW: If you get a set of these, go for the T-track bars, they are lighter and much quieter at speed than the square metal ones!

Thanks, I was really hoping to find something that fastens to the factory rails. I'll have to check this one out....

[Elekta]

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29226



It the Thule 430 Footpack and you skinny it up on a table top sander and it fits right into the rails.. Then you just lower and go.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/elekta/DSC03293.jpg

It's the only system worth getting, if you can see how easy it it is for me to use all of my toys...use the money you save to buy the Thule lifts and some
extra load bars

extra diy's
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=933701