Roof rack and/or hitch to carry bikes

[steelejared]

I am interested in either a 318ti compatible roof rack of any brand so that I can carry bikes -- especially if it already includes the bike carrier accessories or a Da'lan hitch for the ti so that I can get a hitch mounted bike carrier. If anyone has these items gathering dust and would like to trade them for some $$ please send me a note. I already have the trunk mounted carrier, but it is not as secure and prevents hatch access.

[aceyx]

Attach the trunk carrier to *just* the hatch (lower straps on hatch, rather than on the plastic bumper). You can still open it then.

Maybe that's why my struts are dead.

[steelejared]

Thanks for the reply. Good tip. I could probably open the hatch that way even with my bike on it because I have the overkill Ford Aerostar hatch struts. I would have to open it slow -- so as not to catapult my bike.

[mohaughn]

I wouldn't use a standard trunk type rack on a Ti. The reason being that the top straps hook onto the glass. I've seen other hatchback cars with bike racks attached to the glass where the glass has started to pull away from the body from the weight. Then your window could start leaking water around the seals, or the window could completely come off dumping your bikes...

I know a lot of trunk style bike carriers specifically don't list the Ti as "fitting" for this reason even though they will fit.

[dano670]

Other than the hitch, I fit a yakima roof rack on my car. There is no exact application for the car, but it fit nearly perfect.

I saw on the Yakima website that they made the rack for the E36 325/318 4 door, but not the 2 door. Yakima racks are (mostly) all the same, it is the bracket that varies between the cars.

I used the front bracket from that car and it secured (just like the stock bmw rack) to the bolts that are hidden in your door rubber on the roof of the car.

For the rear bracket, I used the brackets that used to my my old civic hatchback. The rear window design was similar to both cars.

2 drawbacks. The first was you had to be careful when opening the rear glass. The rack would touch it. Happened on my civic also (approved yakima car).

The rear towers sat lower and slightly wider than the front. On the positive side, the bike rails sat level on the car, so it looked good.

I will attach pics.

[dano670]

Pic 1

[L84THSKY]

I have the Da'lan Hitch and a Swagman Ball hitch bike carrier. Can't seem to find the picture of the bike carrier mounted to the hitch.

Originally Posted by steelejared

I am interested in either a 318ti compatible roof rack of any brand so that I can carry bikes -- especially if it already includes the bike carrier accessories or a Da'lan hitch for the ti so that I can get a hitch mounted bike carrier. If anyone has these items gathering dust and would like to trade them for some $$ please send me a note. I already have the trunk mounted carrier, but it is not as secure and prevents hatch access.

[dano670]

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by mohaughn

I wouldn't use a standard trunk type rack on a Ti. The reason being that the top straps hook onto the glass. I've seen other hatchback cars with bike racks attached to the glass where the glass has started to pull away from the body from the weight. Then your window could start leaking water around the seals, or the window could completely come off dumping your bikes...
I know a lot of trunk style bike carriers specifically don't list the Ti as "fitting" for this reason even though they will fit.

Good call. My old rack--some relic Thule job--actually made contact with the metal frame underneath the glass, so quite a bit of it depends on the hooks used. Tighten the straps then raise the hatch up and look from the side. You'll be able to see where it hits.

I ended up with a full Thule bar system, pretty happy with it but apparently the fit kit is no longer available. Factory roof racks look nice, people seem to like it.

[StealthBimmer]

Well the trunk racks by Saris can be used with the optional hatch huggers straps. This is recommended so you don't clip to the glass window. Advantage is quick on and off for the bike trip day.