[wahoorad]

Hi Everyone,

I ended up purchasing the BMW branded 420 liter box and BMW roof bars. Slightly more expensive than a Thule equivalent, but got a bit of a discount so price difference was negligible. I think they look and function great. My M sport didn't have the markings at 48cm and 70cm from the forward bars, but measured it out and seems to be working out fine. I am happy to answer questions about either the rails or the box as I know there have been some active threads on this topic in the past.

[XAmbassador12]

Look great. How much?

[Stoshu]

Like the look, thanks for the pictures. Can you put a suitcase in or are you limited to more soft sided items (camping gear/duffles)? While I’m asking, is there a retention system/straps on the inside to stop the cargo from moving?

[wahoorad]

Originally Posted by XAmbassador12

Look great. How much?

BMW rates for the boxes and bars are online:
https://www.shopbmwusa.com/product/6...SUPPORT-SYSTEM - These were $351 last week when I ordered, $362 this week, not sure why the price jump.

You can find the boxes on that site as well. If you get them delivered to your local dealer then delivery is free.

The 320 box lists for $591, 420 box for $909, and 520 box $1140.

Installation is pretty straight forward though you need at least two people for both the rails and the box. The dealer can do it for you but they will charge you an hour of labor, which is $145 at my dealer.

The guys who worked service helped me put both on which was very nice and so didn't pay for any installation.

As I said in my original post, the parts guy gave me 10% off, because I asked about any discounts, so all in about $1200 with tax. Thule boxes that are 16 cubic feet run about $600 but the nicer ones can cost a lot more than that. Sneaky thing about those costs are that if you get the Thule bars you also have to get the "feet" the four mounting spots on your roof rails. All the pieces are priced separately and I think end up costing well more than $350 for those items. The other issue for my family is we would like them for Spring break and definitely before a big summer trip and the backorders on the different sites that sell them were pretty long.

[wahoorad]

Originally Posted by Stoshu

Like the look, thanks for the pictures. Can you put a suitcase in or are you limited to more soft sided items (camping gear/duffles)? While I’m asking, is there a retention system/straps on the inside to stop the cargo from moving?

We went with the 420 box because we were afraid we could only put duffles in the 320 box. The 420 is a good bit wider so I think it could fit a hard shell carry on, but haven't tried yet. Its about 15 cubic feet so a little under half the rear cargo volume of the X5 (33.9 cu feet). I don't have the space saver spare so I get some more room under the floor (maybe 2-3 cu feet) so I intend to use the roof box for bulky items and carry ons, and big duffles. Also to free up room for the dog so she can lay down without a bunch of bags in her way. We just bought a large duffle from LL Bean and Im pretty sure that will fit. In terms of full size luggage, maybe but you'd have to be careful with the weight total the roof can bear.

Yes it comes with three heavy duty retention straps.

hope this helps

[XAmbassador12]

^^Mods make this a sticky. Excellent info, and thank you wahoorad

[TomCat6065]

Originally Posted by wahoorad

Hi Everyone,

I ended up purchasing the BMW branded 420 liter box and BMW roof bars. Slightly more expensive than a Thule equivalent, but got a bit of a discount so price difference was negligible. I think they look and function great. My M sport didn't have the markings at 48cm and 70cm from the forward bars, but measured it out and seems to be working out fine. I am happy to answer questions about either the rails or the box as I know there have been some active threads on this topic in the past.

Looks great...very helpful post-thanks!

[denaliman]

How does that box attach to roof bars? The Thule box looks much easier, it has "latches" that clamshell onto the bars by turning knobs inside the box. Takes me all of 2 minutes to attach and detach my box. I don't keep the box attached normally and really don't want to have to fiddle around with screws and bolts to attach.

[amus3d]

That's weird your car didn't come with the position markings. The markings are on the rubber seal and not the rails itself. They are very small.

[wahoorad]

Originally Posted by amus3d

That's weird your car didn't come with the position markings. The markings are on the rubber seal and not the rails itself. They are very small.

Ill go back and look at the rubber seals inside the car, didn't think to check there, thanks for the heads up

[wahoorad]

Originally Posted by denaliman

How does that box attach to roof bars? The Thule box looks much easier, it has "latches" that clamshell onto the bars by turning knobs inside the box. Takes me all of 2 minutes to attach and detach my box. I don't keep the box attached normally and really don't want to have to fiddle around with screws and bolts to attach.

They slide onto the bar (you open the roof rails by unlocking the caps on the end, then secure the box by tightening 4 lock down wheels inside the box. I don't think its too cumbersome and achieves a tight fit and produces only minimal wind noise at high speeds.

You can see directions in this BMW video: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...-JHholuN3fJvy6

[wahoorad]

Originally Posted by wahoorad

Ill go back and look at the rubber seals inside the car, didn't think to check there, thanks for the heads up

So I checked again and don't see them. If you have a picture that would be helpful. thanks!

[amus3d]

Originally Posted by wahoorad

So I checked again and don't see them. If you have a picture that would be helpful. thanks!

The markings are slightly raised on the rubber seal and are very small and very difficult to see. I don't think I can take a picture. They are like the size of a pencil tip. Feel it with your hands. Run your hand across the rubber seal slowly and you should feel a little notch. Like a little imperfection in the rubber.

[amus3d]

I've marked the locations. It's on the side of the rubber seal that is on the inside, towards the moon roof.

[wahoorad]

Originally Posted by amus3d

I've marked the locations. It's on the side of the rubber seal that is on the inside, towards the moon roof.

Thank you for pointing that out. I may be over those spots already with the bars covering them. I have to take the carrier off tonight so I will feel along the inside rubber part to see if I can locate the indentations you mention. Appreciate the advice.

Do you think it is worth removing the bars and feeling for the spots if I measured the recommended 48 cm from the front and 70 cm from the middle of the front bars to the second set of bars?

[amus3d]

I'll be honest, I don't know if it's worth it. If your current set-up is working then why change it? I recently got my OEM roof rails and have yet to installed them. I just wanted to point out the markings in case people were looking for them.

[njnets21]

I like the easy knob method of attaching the Thule box. Will the Thule box attach to the BMW rails?

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by njnets21

I like the easy knob method of attaching the Thule box. Will the Thule box attach to the BMW rails?

Yes.

[njnets21]

Why does everyone say the BMW rails and box are more than Thule? Seems the BMW set is far cheaper than Thule unless I'm missing something. Does BMW make black rails or just silver?

[amus3d]

The BMW roof rails costs less than the Thule set. BMW only comes in silver. Some people like the lower profile of the Thule set. I went with the BMW set because I don't leave them on the car after use. I didn't even bother looking at the BMW cargo box. I just went with the Thule Motion XL.

[njnets21]

Originally Posted by amus3d

The BMW roof rails costs less than the Thule set. BMW only comes in silver. Some people like the lower profile of the Thule set. I went with the BMW set because I don't leave them on the car after use. I didn't even bother looking at the BMW cargo box. I just went with the Thule Motion XL.

How long does it take you to put the BMW rails on and off? I'm thinking ideally I wouldn't leave them on either and only install for trips once a year but I'm also not the most mechanically inclined person either.

[amus3d]

Originally Posted by njnets21

How long does it take you to put the BMW rails on and off? I'm thinking ideally I wouldn't leave them on either and only install for trips once a year but I'm also not the most mechanically inclined person either.

It takes 5mins.