e46 M3 roof rack options

[0836whimper]

I know, I know, putting a roofrack on an M3 seems a little beside the point, but I just sold my 330d touring and I need extra space for bikes.

Anyone recommend one ? I've had a net trawl but nothing obvious comes up. Thanks.

[gareth h]

Only listed bars are from BMW (about £125) however they are slotted and don't take Thule fittings, The Thule bars for an E46 coupe fit as the roof is identical to the M3 (according to my local BMW dealer).

[Spartikus]

I have the BMW bars and Thule bike racks fit fine.

[rswheelnut]

I picked up roof bars for my e39 M5 for about 20 quid on ebay. they were a little bit scruffy with some scratches but they had the fitting tool and they work fine so who cares...! Far better than getting non-BMW. Dont even look at ones which clamp around the door frame..!

I'm pretty certain (99%) they also fit E46 saloon/coupe so you might open up your search a bit to include bars labelled as for "e39".

[0836whimper]

Thanks all. If ebay doesn't work, has anybody got these ?

http://www.roof-racks-uk.co.uk/cgi-bin/thule-rack-...

[gareth h]

Spartikus are your bars slotted? I got the Thule adaptor kit for their bike racks and the slots are too wide in the BMW bars, I've bodged it with some washers but have to keep speed below 120mph to be on the safe side!

[rswheelnut]

0836whimper said:

Thanks all. If ebay doesn't work, has anybody got these ?

http://www.roof-racks-uk.co.uk/cgi-bin/thule-rack-...

That's exactly what i'd avoid.... it has a foot to sit on the roof of the car, then a bracket to hook onto the door frame.

BMW ones have the proper fixings. it makes them safer, stronger and quieter because will not interfere with door seal.

Here you go... identical to mine and should suit yours just fine.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-BMW-E39-5-SERIES-SAL...

[Spartikus]

The slots in the BMW bars are 14mm.

Deffo go for the BMW bars, they fit in the roof channels.