Roof Rack Thread for W203/S203/CL203 & bike/ski mounts
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34
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04 C230 Kompressor Sport & 2000 C43
OEM rack measurements
First post!
Does anyone know the distance between each tower on the W203 sedan OEM rack? And if there is any play there to spread them apart more? I need 30"s of distance between each bar for a Packasport roof box that I would like to mount on the Mercedes/Oris OEM rack. If not, then I be will stuck having to use a more expensive Yakima with roof extender. But I need 30"s in order for my Packasport box to fit.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...40933041_o.jpg
The Packasport is totally sick. It's all fiberglass, verses ABS plastic like the Thule and Yakima boxes. But as I said the bars have to be 30" apart because the bars fit in the molded channels, or I am up a creek. And will have to get a Yak rack with extenders, which will be double the price. I would much rather have the good looking OEM rack.
Does anyone know the distance between each tower on the W203 sedan OEM rack? And if there is any play there to spread them apart more? I need 30"s of distance between each bar for a Packasport roof box that I would like to mount on the Mercedes/Oris OEM rack. If not, then I be will stuck having to use a more expensive Yakima with roof extender. But I need 30"s in order for my Packasport box to fit.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...40933041_o.jpg
The Packasport is totally sick. It's all fiberglass, verses ABS plastic like the Thule and Yakima boxes. But as I said the bars have to be 30" apart because the bars fit in the molded channels, or I am up a creek. And will have to get a Yak rack with extenders, which will be double the price. I would much rather have the good looking OEM rack.
Last edited by SP1200; Jan 26, 2013 at 01:34 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 904
Likes: 22
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, eh!
2003 C230 Sports Coupe, Paprika Metallic Red, Auto, Pano, Leather
On a COUPE with the Mercedes/Oris OEM rack,... there's 24 3/4 inches (63cm) between the bars,... measured from middle of one bar to middle of the other. Your sedan might have a bit more,.. but,...
You might want take a gues-timate by measuring the distance between the support areas on your roof where the Mercedes/Oris OEM rack would attach to,.... those little indented triangles would be helpful.
There`s NO play to spread them apart. Maybe you could make your own roof extender,....
When I look at photo of coupe in post number 224 VS the sedan in post number 270,... they seem pretty much the same,... so I`d say sedan is about 25 inches as well.
You might want take a gues-timate by measuring the distance between the support areas on your roof where the Mercedes/Oris OEM rack would attach to,.... those little indented triangles would be helpful.
There`s NO play to spread them apart. Maybe you could make your own roof extender,....
When I look at photo of coupe in post number 224 VS the sedan in post number 270,... they seem pretty much the same,... so I`d say sedan is about 25 inches as well.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34
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04 C230 Kompressor Sport & 2000 C43
I like the Mercedes roof box 450 also on the Mercedes/Oris rack.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-B...-/120862304483
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/sh...ad.php?t=79749
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-B...-/120862304483
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/sh...ad.php?t=79749
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34
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04 C230 Kompressor Sport & 2000 C43
Try REI or Dick's Sports, or Sports Authority. For the OEM try online.. Like $250 or the classifieds.
Regarding the packasport.. I got this email reply today. This box (Packasport System 90) will not work with the W203. That sucks.
Hi James,
Your roofline is too short for our product. It cannot go forward of the windshield. It is bad the aerodynamics and could fly off.
Scott
Tom Smith Fiberglass, Inc.
Mfg. of Packasport
Regarding the packasport.. I got this email reply today. This box (Packasport System 90) will not work with the W203. That sucks.
Hi James,
Your roofline is too short for our product. It cannot go forward of the windshield. It is bad the aerodynamics and could fly off.
Scott
Tom Smith Fiberglass, Inc.
Mfg. of Packasport
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
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04 C230 Kompressor Sport & 2000 C43
I agree with whoever wrote that the Mercedes boxes look too flimsy. Their post was deleted. I agree. It looks too "Sears" looking for a family vacation. Too Clark Griswald with the station wagon with wood paneling on the side. Pass. Thule makes some shorter boxes but I don't like the angle the boxes sit on a W203. It shoots up and doesn't look very good imho.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 613
Likes: 14
From: Edmonton, Alberta
R129 SL500 & W140 S500
Anybody ever try Aeroblade 47 with 460R Foot Pack on their W203? Have a friend selling one that's mounted on their BMW E90 and was curious if anyone knew if it would onto mine.
Thx in advance.
Thx in advance.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 38
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2002 c240
I was unable to find OEM bars for my w203 so I went with the Thule system. Per their fit site I bought the 480R towers, Aeroblade bars and the 1204 fit kit. The fronts fit fine but the backs wont fit at all.
Anyone else have this system? I googled around and I couldn't actually find anyone with this setup on their car.
Anyone else have this system? I googled around and I couldn't actually find anyone with this setup on their car.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
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From: Fremont, California
2005 C230 Sport
Just located an OEM MB roof rack for my 2005 W203 sedan chassis. What bike trays can I use for the roof rack ? I can purchase the stock MB trays, but I wanted to know if Thule trays are compatible. I purchased the roof rack for $100 without any trays. Let me know. Thanks. ~ Roger
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
2006 C230
Need W203 roof rack
Hi,
First time posting. With two kids now, looking for a roof rack (basic carrier) for my W203 (2006 C230 Sedan). Prefer the OEM rack, but looks like MB doesn't make/stock it anymore. Does anyone have one to sell or point me in the right direction where I can buy? Thanks.
First time posting. With two kids now, looking for a roof rack (basic carrier) for my W203 (2006 C230 Sedan). Prefer the OEM rack, but looks like MB doesn't make/stock it anymore. Does anyone have one to sell or point me in the right direction where I can buy? Thanks.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
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From: Fremont, California
2005 C230 Sport
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 2
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C230 coupe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,265
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Broke the rear sunroof once and hatch glass TWICE
with bikes on top going under low flying clearances.
Yeah, pretty stupid. 2nd time the racks were destroyed.
with bikes on top going under low flying clearances.
Yeah, pretty stupid. 2nd time the racks were destroyed.
