BMW Z4 Bike Carrier

P

P.eter

Member
A two months ago I've posted here about a bike carrier from the BMW factory, yesterday my Z4 was delivered with bike carrier, here are some pictures. I've tried it out on a muddy ride today and it worked flawlessly, very easy attaching your bike to the carrier and it's very secure, it wobbles less at speed than my Thule. all in all I'm happy with both my car and bike carrier.

Any questions or remarks, let them come I'm glad to answer them
Fully Assembled
auto001.jpg

Attachment for bike frame
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Tire fixture
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Knob to secure/remove the carrier from the universal attachment
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universal attachment
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universal attachment
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universal attachment removed from the car
auto008.jpg


P.eter
 
Looks a neat solution, however if it obscures your number plate, even partially (which the photos make it appear to) then in the UK you could get pulled by the Police especially in Dorset.
 
peds8045 said:
Looks a neat solution, however if it obscures your number plate, even partially (which the photos make it appear to) then in the UK you could get pulled by the Police especially in Dorset.
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Think you will find there is a plate holder on the rack with additional lights.
 
peds8045 said:
Looks a neat solution, however if it obscures your number plate, even partially (which the photos make it appear to) then in the UK you could get pulled by the Police especially in Dorset.
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There is room for a second license plate, no problem there (it's the same over here in Belgium :)

I see I don't have a shot from the back where you can see that, on picture 1 you just get a glimpse of the plate (just above the taillight you have a slight hint of red, that's the number plate)
 
BMW have quoted me ~£1700 in UK to supply and fit the bicycle rack (or do you know of a UK main dealer who'll do it for less?). It's definitely a good rack, and obviously allows the roof to be opened/closed with the rack in situ, but I could buy a whole spare car for carrying bikes around, for less than that!

So... has anyone fitted a (cheaper) third-party bike rack to an E89 and what was your experience? Can you recommend a good one, or is it more aggravation than it's worth?

Also, for anyone with either the BMW or an after-market rack - does carrying bikes on an E89 affect the stability at motorway speeds? The bikes are going to be a lot more exposed than if on the back of a larger car, so I'm concerned they may have a bigger detrimental effect on airflow and hence safety.

Ta,
Scott
 
Looks a good solution! What does it look like under the rear when the rack is off the car?


ScottM said:
BMW have quoted me ~£1700 in UK to supply and fit the bicycle rack (or do you know of a UK main dealer who'll do it for less?). It's definitely a good rack, and obviously allows the roof to be opened/closed with the rack in situ, but I could buy a whole spare car for carrying bikes around, for less than that!
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At that price this is true, but I have an old Terrios 4x4 just to cart my bikes around and I am planning on selling it now. It's not buying an old runabout, it's paying the yearly insurance, tax, MOT and servicing that costs!! The yearly tax on that is only £10 less a year than my Z4! At least that rack is a one off purchase with no upkeep! :wink:

Mind you, I would have to get some covers for the inside of my Z4 with that interior when out mountainbiking!!!! :o
 
I've left the message up for information, however you must also read my following posts which includes an email from Saris...

I'm picking up my Z4 on the first of march and as a keen cyclist I've been looking for a suitable cycle carrier.

My bikes are my pride and joy and because of the damage caused to bikes by the typical boot mount rack I refuse to use them. I normally use a towball mounted rack (like the one above) so usually add a swan neck to the car, but as you know the Z4 isn't type approved for a towbar. This leaves the £1700 option above....(ouch).... or so I thought....

According to the Saris application list, Saris list a 'Grand Fondo' carrier which straps to the back of the car but, as a result of a rather clever design, it also separates the bikes and doesn't obscure the lights or number plate, problemed solved! However, for the life of me I couldn't see how it fitted to a Z4? I've just borrowed one from my local cycle shop (rutland water, thanks guys) and taken it to my BMW dealership....

I haven't driven with bikes attached but am quite happy with the way it fits and will not hesitate to give it ago. I'll post the results when I've picked up the car.

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thisuldo said:
I haven't driven with bikes attached but am quite happy with the way it fits and will not hesitate to give it ago. I'll post the results when I've picked up the car.
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Arent you worried about the manual stating not to attach anything to the boot lid or roof because it might bend the mechanism?
 
Maniac said:
Arent you worried about the manual stating not to attach anything to the boot lid or roof because it might bend the mechanism?
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As the cycle carrier manufacture is happy enough to list it, I guess if it does damage it I would have a legitimate claim...

I've also fired the pictures off to the importers and asked them to comment...
 
I sent the pictures to Saris as promisied. I also had a chat with a very helpful chap at the UK importers. Initially all was ok, however when I talked about liability etc... they decided to look into it a little further. I have just received the following email..

Hi

I’ve been passed on your details regarding the fitting of the Gran Fondo onto the Z4. I’ve checked with Saris and the fitting was done ok but in a different location to the way you had it (picture attached).

However, talking with them more and looking in detail we are NOT happy to continue recommending the rack for this vehicle due to the load being placed on the top of the boot lid. It will removed from the European fitting guide ASAP. Due to the load damage may be caused (as someone has commented, BMW do not recommend a load being placed on the boot itself).

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it really is best if you do not use this rack on your new car. Any liability would not be covered by Saris now that this decision has been taken. :cry:

Fair play to Saris and the UK importers...
 
thisuldo said:
I sent the pictures to Saris as promisied. I also had a chat with a very helpful chap at the UK importers. Initially all was ok, however when I talked about liability etc... they decided to look into it a little further. I have just received the following email..

Hi

I’ve been passed on your details regarding the fitting of the Gran Fondo onto the Z4. I’ve checked with Saris and the fitting was done ok but in a different location to the way you had it (picture attached).

However, talking with them more and looking in detail we are NOT happy to continue recommending the rack for this vehicle due to the load being placed on the top of the boot lid. It will removed from the European fitting guide ASAP. Due to the load damage may be caused (as someone has commented, BMW do not recommend a load being placed on the boot itself).

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it really is best if you do not use this rack on your new car. Any liability would not be covered by Saris now that this decision has been taken. :cry:

Fair play to Saris and the UK importers...
Click to expand...

I thought that might be the case. Well worth checking... :o
 
DavidJS said:
How about this one?
http://www.seasucker.tv/
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I think the issue here is that you shouldn't really attach anything to the boot (trunk) lid or roof by any means, straps, suckers, whatever. They're moving parts at the end of the day, on fairly flimsy brackets that are designed to take the load of only the panel they hold. Hence BMW (agreed rather extortionately) provide a non boot/trunk/roof option.
 
I don't have a picture of it, I will take one tomorrow and put it online.

The only that shows underneath the bumper is a small black metal attachment of about 7cmx7cm that's it.

Could this help, these are the numbers the garage needed for ordering (Belgium, Europe), look at the scan

System for underneath the car:
82 71 2 157 702
transport system
82 71 2 157 698
bike carrier to fit the above
82 71 2 157 690
elektro:
82 71 2 150 352 but looking at my official order it was: 71 60 2 156 301

the scan is in the same order
 
Scan: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107493356746373677306/albums/5730906784156880401/5730906783101615090, I hope everyone has access
 
Thanks for the photo, but no access unfortunately. Think you have to change privacy setting to allow public with the web address
 
Here is the link that should work for everyone:

https://plus.google.com/photos/107493356746373677306/albums/5510366398407433313?authkey=CPz0yZPloozbdg
 
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