Z4 bike rack...

R

robmug

Member
Recently went to the Isle of Man for a week; took my Z4 and friends went in their M235i.

I really wanted to take my road bike over, and the SeaSucker bike racks are not yet available in the UK and at $270 each (I originally wanted 2 as my son was coming too), plus $65 shipping, plus VAT on import, plus UK mail handling...would have been just under £500 for a pair...

So, I made my own, but bought just the fork mounts from SeaSucker
Fork mounts $55 (x 2)
Shipping $65 (!)
VAT £10.65 (!)
Handling £13.50
Suction mounts £78 (for 4)
Steel plates £18

So, still not cheap but a very useful saving over the SeaSucker item; is slightly smaller as I used smaller suction mounts

z4.jpg


mount.jpg
 
Any ideas what load these can take? I would be petrified of the bike falling off and causing an accident behind me. No doubt they are tried and tested, but i just couldn't help fearing the worst...
 
I think the bit I'd be most worried about is the load bending the roof mech. The boot is not secured on solid hinges but instead a few thin rods of metal that move the boot when the roof is folding. A good knock could push things out of alignment and its why BMW don't sell a bike rack that mounts this way. Then as someone else points out, just don't try to fold the roof either ;)

Still, you never know, you could prove them wrong.
 
Yep, I was nervous too...

I can mount this anywhere...boot lid and rear glass seemed to be best. I also tried roof and rear screen.

Bike with front wheel removed is only about 6kg, so pretty light. The US Seasucker say they are for bikes up to 18kg which I why I felt comfortable going with smaller suckers. For info, each of the suckers is rate to 18kg.

In reality, the bike was only mounted for as little time as needed.

With the boot full of luggage and the luggage guard folded back, the roof mechanism is disabled anyway...which is useful!

Towbar mounted rack is what I use on my 320D...but fitting a detatchable towbar to the Z4 at £400+ seemed a bit over the top; worth it on my 320D as I also tow a trailer/race car.
 
Maniac said:
I think the bit I'd be most worried about is the load bending the roof mech. The boot is not secured on solid hinges but instead a few thin rods of metal that move the boot when the roof is folding. A good knock could push things out of alignment and its why BMW don't sell a bike rack that mounts this way. Then as someone else points out, just don't try to fold the roof either ;)

Still, you never know, you could prove them wrong.
Click to expand...

Agree, but the roof mech also has rotating 'clamps' that do the final locking into place and they hold the bootlid pretty firmly in place.
 
TitanTim said:
Think I would leave the bike at home or change to a suitable motor :cry:

Tim.
Click to expand...

Easier and more sensible...

But...320D would not have been as much fun on the IOM's derestricted roads, nor could I have had the roof down for a week...
and not taking the bike would have meant missing out on cycling the entire TT circuit on a day that the mountain section was closed to cars!
 
robmug said:
TitanTim said:
Think I would leave the bike at home or change to a suitable motor :cry:

Tim.
Click to expand...

Easier and more sensible...

But...320D would not have been as much fun on the IOM's derestricted roads, nor could I have had the roof down for a week...
and not taking the bike would have meant missing out on cycling the entire TT circuit on a day that the mountain section was closed to cars!
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of others, I wouldn't fancy a push bike landing on my bonnet!

Tim.
 
TitanTim said:
robmug said:
TitanTim said:
Think I would leave the bike at home or change to a suitable motor :cry:

Tim.
Click to expand...

Easier and more sensible...

But...320D would not have been as much fun on the IOM's derestricted roads, nor could I have had the roof down for a week...
and not taking the bike would have meant missing out on cycling the entire TT circuit on a day that the mountain section was closed to cars!
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of others, I wouldn't fancy a push bike landing on my bonnet!

Tim.
Click to expand...

It's pretty secure! Easily as secure as most tailgate-mounted racks...probably more so...

http://youtu.be/_41Ujjv6WUw
 
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