bike rack suggestions?

[bbig119]

I've got a '94 540 sedan, with hitch. I'd like get some sort of carrier system for my bike and my girlfriend's bike. I've never had anything like this, so I really don't know pros and cons of the various systems available to me. I would like something that is easy to use, and can be uninstalled quickly(ie, I don't want a roof rack on my car all the time).

A quick look at Thule brought up several options: hitch mounted, trunk mounted, and roof mounted. Anyone have any experiences with this stuff?

Also--I have a spoiler. I'm not sure if that'll impact trunk mounted options or not.

Thanks

[ElNormo]

A quick look at Thule brought up several options: hitch mounted, trunk mounted, and roof mounted. Anyone have any experiences with this stuff?

I have a Thule trunk-mounted bike rack that works like a charm. It hooks on six points (between trunk and rear window, each side of the trunk, and between trunk and bumper), and can be adjusted to reach over a spoiler.

If you need more info, I can figure out the model number. A good bike shop can help you find and adjust one that works for you.

Norman

[shanek]

I have a Yakima roof rack with King Cobra attachment. I like it but I would prefer a hitch mount. If you already have a hitch you should look into a hitch mount. Remember you get what you pay for. A good rack is expensive but worth it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b85/ShaneKennedy/109_0959.jpg
This is the cheap one I had on my 325. It worked but it ripped the rubber door seals.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b85/ShaneKennedy/IM_A0158.jpg

[bbig119]

Why would you prefer a hitch mount? Clearly installation/breakdown of the rack would be much easier with a hitch mount, but they also carry less than a roof mount, correct?

[NY535iManual]

I have Thule roof mounted ski and bike racks; These use the same roof rails, but the bike & ski racks are separate pieces. The Thule works pretty well, but can be aggravating to put on the car the first couple of times - even now, with practice, it can take up to 15 or so minutes. Roof mounts tend to generate lots of wind noise (duh), and I've found that friends with hitch mounts are a bit quieter. I've been thinking of getting a luggage pod like the one on shanek's car, don't know whether those come in hitch mounts.

[Elekta]

Thule 962 for the sedan, but if you have the hitch...

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/bmw-trailer.gif

why the hell not?

[shanek]

Its easier to load a bike on a hitch than it is to to put it on the roof. My bike wieghs 45lbs and after day of riding liftng it onto the roof is a bit of a chore. The rack also scratched my roof. They come with rubber pads for the feet but it still managed to scratch it. I put some of that clear headlight protector film on it as soon as I noticed the scratch though. Its just personnel preference. If you go with a roof rack Yakima offers 2 different styles for our cars. If you go with the Q towers the rack will fit any vehicle, you just need a different set of clips.

[Eric Clark]

I have had thule and yakima roof racks and I like the thule much better. I find it easier to use and feels better built. I do not trust trunk mount racks as they can easily scratch.

[crashit]

I have a Yakima roof rack with King Cobra attachment. I like it but I would prefer a hitch mount. If you already have a hitch you should look into a hitch mount. Remember you get what you pay for. A good rack is expensive but worth it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b85/ShaneKennedy/109_0959.jpg
This is the cheap one I had on my 325. It worked but it ripped the rubber door seals.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b85/ShaneKennedy/IM_A0158.jpg

I have allway's driven a truck and I just bought 91 525. I have the same bike rack coming in tomorrow. do you have a side shot of you'r car with the rack on there? With how much my bike's are worth it scare's me to drop one going down the road.

[632 Regal]

suggestion: put them inside...
http://www.dd.chalmers.se/%7Ef99laan/images/lofoten_push.jpg

[OneBeLow]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b85/ShaneKennedy/109_0959.jpg


dope

[RockJock]

nice brodie hardtail ..... have you ever ridden the kettle valley tressles/trails? any good? knox mountain has some fun single track and cute little decents ....i'm old school so i haven't gone full-suspension yet! :(

i've been hauling the bikes with my tundra and a saris koolrack truck bed carrier ....

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b85/ShaneKennedy/IM_A0158.jpg[/QUOTE]

[Paul in NZ]

roof racks are the best way if you have three or four bikes but they have their disadvatages.Trunks mounnts would be ok but you would need to take steps to protect the paint.
So that leaves hitch.I have had a three bike hitch but its best if you stabilise it back to the car with an extra strap or tie down,and most hitch es work best with normal triangle frames.The biggest drawbacks of a hitch is
1) unless you design it esp(which i did) you cant open the boot with the rack in place.The bikes need to be tied down well,and there is a lot of stress on the moount where it mounts on the hitch,and you need to make sure the thing is mounted properly.One other small point,two or three bikes on the roof wil murder fuel economy

[crashit]

I finally got a pic of my new rack.

[eggdog23]

I've got a '94 540 sedan, with hitch.

I would not use a hitch-mounted bike rack. I think Bimmer had a Q and A a few years ago about someone with a Z3 doing this, and it bent the metal where the hitch attached to the car. The weight of a balanced trailer on the hitch is less than the weight directly on the hitch loaded up with some bikes.

[bbig119]

I still haven't bought anything yet, but that's certainly a good point to keep in mind.

[rickm]

I'd go with a roof mount. As far as them falling off, I've never lost a bike. Get a good locking system, I have a Thule that locks the front fork in place. Once locked in it's not going anywhere.

This picture is one of my "lighter" loads. 3 bikes and a surfboard (a 9'8" at that). Drove from Asheville to Destin with the cruise set on 85mph and had no problems. Some wind noise but I still managed to get 29mpg! A couple of years ago I did the same trip with 3 surfboards and 2 bikes, this year we'll have 3 bikes and 3 boards.

Time for me to get a wagon I think. :)

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q141/the_miales/Travel/Destin_April_2006/IMG_0001.jpg