[amus3d]

here is what it says in the installation manual. The markings are there. Like I mentioned before, they are very subtle. They feel like a small imperfection in the rubber seal.

[SmartSaves]

Thank you amus3d. I noticed the markings, as you mentioned previously, very subtle bump feel when you move your finger over the rubber liner (on the inside of the rails, near/beside the panoramic roof glass).

I'll use these exact measurements with my Thule AeroBlade Edge rack and report back my findings. These pictures of the OEM racks' manual makes it lot easier to understand the location markings.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Thank you amus3d. I noticed the markings, as you mentioned previously, very subtle bump feel when you move your finger over the rubber liner (on the inside of the rails, near/beside the panoramic roof glass).

I'll use these exact measurements with my Thule AeroBlade Edge rack and report back my findings. These pictures of the OEM racks' manual makes it lot easier to understand the location markings.

If the height and shape of the aftermarket bars are different, you may need to find their sweet spot, but the OEM location should give you a good starting point.

[SmartSaves]

I tried a few different locations including BMW specs, but slight whistle noise doesn't go away between 50 and 80 km/h with the Thule AeroBlade Edge roof racks. As others have already mentioned taping the grooves under these racks seems to be the only solution. I'll try the OEM ones instead.

Here is a picture of the slightly protruding markings on the inside of the roof racks, located at 460 and 700mm on each side (starting from the front edge of the rails):

[dream54ing]

We've been on 2 long road trips with our Thule Motion XT XL with Thule Aeroblade. Trying to slowly adjust box location on each trip to find sweet spot eliminating wind noise. Still searching, any recommendation would be awesome. With sunroof screen closed and music volume slightly up, its tolerable, but still want to get wind noise down. (some here mentioned there were almost no wind noise)
EDIT: on both trip with the box, there were no whistling, but more wind noise. when driven without the box, there is zero whistling as well.

On our 1st trip (Phoenix AZ to Los Angeles CA), we place the box similar to VTENGR's photo. We experienced a good amount wind noise that we are not accustom to.

On the 2nd trip (Phoenix AZ to Utah) we adjusted location to have the box as far back as we can. There were still some wind noise, but slightly improved from 1st trip. Here are photos of our 2nd trip..

[SmartSaves]

Thanks dream54ing, I am setting up the same racks and box as yours. The consensus is similar to your findings, push the box as far back as possible; however, finding the optimal position for the racks proving to be challenging.

I tried different locations, but whistle more/less remains between 50 to about 85 km/h range. I'll try levelling the racks as recommended by Yakima.com/fit (picture below). On these Thule AeroBlade Edge racks there is no option to tilt the pitch (up/down), so I'll have to try moving the racks back and forth to find an acceptable level position.




After that, there are three more tests left for me to try:

1. Fill the gaps of the plastic covers - where the aluminum bars enters into the footing housing - using removable clear silicone.

2. Or, as others suggested, tape the grooves under the aluminum racks (not preferred)

3. Or, use bungee cords to wrap around the racks (not preferred), apparently the wind vortex is disturbed and whistle is reduced.

I'll keep everyone posted, please do likewise.

[codex57]

Never noticed the markings. I'm gonna try it out. I hear a slight whistling, but only at lower speeds. It is getting annoying, although none of my other family members seem to notice. Maybe I'm just extra sensitive?

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Thanks dream54ing, I am setting up the same racks and box as yours. The consensus is similar to your findings, push the box as far back as possible; however, finding the optimal position for the racks proving to be challenging.

I tried different locations, but whistle more/less remains between 50 to about 85 km/h range. I'll try levelling the racks as recommended by Yakima.com/fit (picture below). On these Thule AeroBlade Edge racks there is no option to tilt the pitch (up/down), so I'll have to try moving the racks back and forth to find an acceptable level position.

Attachment 2617434


After that, there are three more tests left for me to try:

1. Fill the gaps of the plastic covers - where the aluminum bars enters into the footing housing - using removable clear silicone.

2. Or, as others suggested, tape the grooves under the aluminum racks (not preferred)

3. Or, use bungee cords to wrap around the racks (not preferred), apparently the wind vortex is disturbed and whistle is reduced.

I'll keep everyone posted, please do likewise.

are you getting whistling or wind noise? on my first trip i was getting a little whistling around 45-50mph, then goes away at higher speed. the 2nd trip with adjustment eliminated it entirely.
the wind noise i'm referring to is, I believe caused by the box itself, which more a blowing/roaring sound oppose to a whistling sound.
just want to make sure we are talking about the same thing.

[SmartSaves]

At this time I am testing the roof racks only. I am getting bit of whistling sound between 50 to 85 km/h speed (without the cargo box). I haven't installed the box yet. I hear when the box is installed the whistling somewhat goes away, but wind noise goes up.

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

At this time I am testing the roof racks only. I am getting bit of whistling sound between 50 to 85 km/h speed (without the cargo box). I haven't installed the box yet. I hear when the box is installed the whistling somewhat goes away, but wind noise goes up.

i see.. most likely the case. hoping to get the wind noise down.
keep us updated, would love to get input from someone with same setup!

[SmartSaves]

I gave up on the Thule AeroBlade Edge. Tried to address the whistle issue, but regardless of whatever position I installed those I couldn't eliminate the varied whistling noise. I might give the OEM a try. I can deal with wind noise, but won't accept whistling; it's a nonstarter!

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

I gave up on the Thule AeroBlade Edge. Tried to address the whistle issue, but regardless of whatever position I installed those I couldn't eliminate the varied whistling noise. I might give the OEM a try. I can deal with wind noise, but won't accept whistling; it's a nonstarter!

I tried a few different positions, all within 1-2 inches of each other to try and fine tune it. I couldn't get rid of the whistling either. However, for me, it could only be heard with music off and while concentrating. With the music on, it was perceptible, but you had to really try to hear it. Once the box was on, the wind noise caused by the box drowned out any whistle that was there.

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

I gave up on the Thule AeroBlade Edge. Tried to address the whistle issue, but regardless of whatever position I installed those I couldn't eliminate the varied whistling noise. I might give the OEM a try. I can deal with wind noise, but won't accept whistling; it's a nonstarter!

try positioning it how i have it in the photo. no whistling noise. we remove the box and decided to leave them on because it was quite.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by dream54ing

try positioning it how i have it in the photo. no whistling noise. we remove the box and decided to leave them on because it was quite.

My last try was exactly your settings, but strangely it didn't stop the whistling! It's not very loud, but I notice it.

It appears the OEM racks are easier to install and remove than these, but with that setup Thule box and BMW bars will have different set of keys.

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

My last try was exactly your settings, but strangely it didn't stop the whistling! It's not very loud, but I notice it.

It appears the OEM racks are easier to install and remove than these, but with that setup Thule box and BMW bars will have different set of keys.

Thats odd since I'm super sensitive to noise, but dont hear any whistling. we have our screen off as well.
how much easier, takes me less than 10mins to take off the Thule racks, lol. i didnt like the oem ones since they sit higher than the thule.

[jad03060]

The shape, height, and position all come into play with aerodynamics with the shape, size, and placement of racks on the vehicle. BMW has the advantage of wind tunnels to help design theirs. The aftermarket crowd likely has less insight on the potential optimization, which make the end user the test subject. There MIGHT be a position that works better than that suggested for the aftermarket bars, and if there is, keep trying, you may find it. IF you do, pass it on.

[rmorin1249]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

I tried a few different locations including BMW specs, but slight whistle noise doesn't go away between 50 and 80 km/h with the Thule AeroBlade Edge roof racks. As others have already mentioned taping the grooves under these racks seems to be the only solution. I'll try the OEM ones instead.

Here is a picture of the slightly protruding markings on the inside of the roof racks, located at 460 and 700mm on each side (starting from the front edge of the rails):

When mounting the OEM racks, do you try to center each rail over these protrusions or is the protrusion supposed to line up with the front of each rail? I know it only makes a small difference but it might be important. Thanks.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

When mounting the OEM racks, do you try to center each rail over these protrusions or is the protrusion supposed to line up with the front of each rail? I know it only makes a small difference but it might be important. Thanks.

Yes, instructions states to center these markings to each rail. So right in the middle of the racks footing.

[rmorin1249]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Yes, instructions states to center these markings to each rail. So right in the middle of the racks footing.

Thanks.

[amus3d]

Finally able to use the roof rack and cargo box. That is XL size.

[desirusso]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

My last try was exactly your settings, but strangely it didn't stop the whistling! It's not very loud, but I notice it.

It appears the OEM racks are easier to install and remove than these, but with that setup Thule box and BMW bars will have different set of keys.

I just got the BMW cross bars to use with my Thule XL no noise with the cross bars… I have the aero blades but can't get the fit kit to make them work so we got the OEM ones. For $262 it was worth trying and it works. Using the setup on an upcoming trip

[Alan l.]

Got my Thule Aero bars installed along with my Inno 864 box.

With the bars alone there is def some noise if you really pay attention to it with the sunroof closed. With the radio on its a non issue. Once you crack the sunroof open the noise increases dramatically on the highway. Love the look of this as it sits as low to the roof as possible without hitting the glass when you open it.

Before anyone asks I added the stripe to spice things up a little and its the oem M Performance decal for the M5 which i made work for the box.