Roof Rack Thread for W203/S203/CL203 & bike/ski mounts
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 187
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From: Mid-Ohio
C230
The roof rack I received Friday was for the W203 c-class sedans. The correct part number for the new C230 Coupe, Basic Rack is MB Part B6 6 85 0257. Not MB Part B6 6 85 0255 (C-Class Sedan).
It is listed wrong in their catalogue and parts computer, however a call from the parts department to somewhere in MB land confirmed that the coupe has a different Basic Rack. The Coupe roof is a few inches narrower.
Should have it to me by Wednesday. I will post pictures as soon as I have the Rack installed.
It is listed wrong in their catalogue and parts computer, however a call from the parts department to somewhere in MB land confirmed that the coupe has a different Basic Rack. The Coupe roof is a few inches narrower.
Should have it to me by Wednesday. I will post pictures as soon as I have the Rack installed.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 187
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From: Mid-Ohio
C230
MB Roof Rack on C230 Coupe Pics
Well I finally got the correct MB Roof Rack for my C230 and as promised here are the photos. The quality is good, I especially like the fact that only rubber touches the paint, and it looks good with the aluminum and MB stars printed on the towers.
Noise at highway speeds is above normal as expected but quieter then any rack I have had on previous cars. The car is probably better insolated then any car I have owned.
If you can get past the price I recommend these MB racks for any c-class.
As my wife puts it, I have now turned my beautiful new car into a $26K bike carrier for my beat to hell always muddy worthless Mountain Bikes. See also reminded me that my excuse for buying the Excursion was to haul the bikes around easier also.
Noise at highway speeds is above normal as expected but quieter then any rack I have had on previous cars. The car is probably better insolated then any car I have owned.
If you can get past the price I recommend these MB racks for any c-class.
As my wife puts it, I have now turned my beautiful new car into a $26K bike carrier for my beat to hell always muddy worthless Mountain Bikes. See also reminded me that my excuse for buying the Excursion was to haul the bikes around easier also.
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 100
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From: Houston, TX
2002 C230 C7,C5
Thanks, and your white w/C7 looks great! I was a little apprehensive ordering white sight unseen, but thanks to all the great pictures here, I think I made the right choice. (Mine comes next month.)
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Thanks a lot for the pictures, edvpt !!!!
It seems the roof-rack fits nicely to the factory sockets. Are the pads that sit on the roof all rubber?
This rack looks pretty good. I would prefer the fork-down version for the bike carrier part, though.
It seems the roof-rack fits nicely to the factory sockets. Are the pads that sit on the roof all rubber?
This rack looks pretty good. I would prefer the fork-down version for the bike carrier part, though.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 187
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From: Mid-Ohio
C230
Originally posted by VoyagerDude
Thanks a lot for the pictures, edvpt !!!!
It seems the roof-rack fits nicely to the factory sockets. Are the pads that sit on the roof all rubber?
This rack looks pretty good. I would prefer the fork-down version for the bike carrier part, though.
Thanks a lot for the pictures, edvpt !!!!
It seems the roof-rack fits nicely to the factory sockets. Are the pads that sit on the roof all rubber?
This rack looks pretty good. I would prefer the fork-down version for the bike carrier part, though.
Agree the attachment choices are limited from MB, but the Bike carrier seems to hold my MTB pretty steady.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Roof racks (MB and Thule)
Just wanted to share some knowledge:
I went to a local car rack place today and found out that the new Thule roof-racks look suprisingly similar to the silver Mercedes racks shown on edpvt's white C230. The MB rack fits a little nicer.
But the tech at the rack place was sure that the MB rack was made by Thule and that Thule accessories (like fork-down bike carrier and ski-carrier) will slide into the MB rack.
It would be nice if someone can confirm this.
Unlike the square rack, this in some NEW Thule roof-rack system, it's shown only on the European Thule site:
http://www.thule.com/english/welcome.htm
and is called the Rapid system.
I went to a local car rack place today and found out that the new Thule roof-racks look suprisingly similar to the silver Mercedes racks shown on edpvt's white C230. The MB rack fits a little nicer.
But the tech at the rack place was sure that the MB rack was made by Thule and that Thule accessories (like fork-down bike carrier and ski-carrier) will slide into the MB rack.
It would be nice if someone can confirm this.
Unlike the square rack, this in some NEW Thule roof-rack system, it's shown only on the European Thule site:
http://www.thule.com/english/welcome.htm
and is called the Rapid system.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169
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From: New York City
C230 Kompressor SPORTS COUPE
I called Thule a couple of weeks ago and they said they did not have any options for the coupe yet, that in cludes witht he basic carrier already installed and with out it.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Thanks Davidta.
I'd like to get to the bottom of this. I think I'll order the MB roof rack on Monday and then take it to the Thule place and then we all know.
Also looked at Yakima, which actually has a rack for the coupe. But their steel hooks (coated with some fairly thick paint) hook in directly against the side of the roof, metal on metal (via paint :-) ). That didn't look too encouraging.
The MB rack must have a similar way of mounting except I think the hook is wider, so there might be less pressure.
Also if the roof gets damaged, at least I'll have a point that it's their own MB roof rack :-)
I'd like to get to the bottom of this. I think I'll order the MB roof rack on Monday and then take it to the Thule place and then we all know.
Also looked at Yakima, which actually has a rack for the coupe. But their steel hooks (coated with some fairly thick paint) hook in directly against the side of the roof, metal on metal (via paint :-) ). That didn't look too encouraging.
The MB rack must have a similar way of mounting except I think the hook is wider, so there might be less pressure.
Also if the roof gets damaged, at least I'll have a point that it's their own MB roof rack :-)
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 81
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From: Kalamazoo, MI
I work at a bike shop and I would recommend the Yakima rack. I've never had a Yakima rack scratch up the paint job on a car, and we've installed them on some really nice Benzes and BMWs. People that have bought a roof rack from the dealer come into our store all the time and are surprised when they find out that they have very few options as far as what to actually put on the rack.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Thanks Cullen.
I went into the store with the intention of getting a Yakima setup.
On my old car there was a seal running along the side of the roof, so the hooks would go against the rubber. When I saw the benz's roof, I got concerned re. the scratching.
I went into the store with the intention of getting a Yakima setup.
On my old car there was a seal running along the side of the roof, so the hooks would go against the rubber. When I saw the benz's roof, I got concerned re. the scratching.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
In case anybody can use this info, here it is.
Here is the email I got from Thule:
>Neither Thule Europe nor Thule U.S. are the O.E.M. provider for >Mercedes Benz. The company you need to contact is Oris.
>Customer Service
>Thule, Inc. USA
The persistent guy I am, I've picked up the MB roof rack today from the dealer and went straight to the Thule place (Racks Unlimited in Calgary, these guys are the best).
To make a long story short the Thule 6-pair ski carrier fits the MB rack like a glove. We had to use a VW Adapt Kit (from Thule). The kit really means 4 bols that fit into the MB rail (same as Thule rapid bar) and you attach the rack to them.
Both parts have the same aluminium finish so the setup looks really good.
This means that all types Thule accessories can fit the MB rack. Oh, this VW Adapt Kit is made to be used on Volkswagens, their factory racks are also made by Oris.
Hope this helps some of you guys.
VoyagerDude
Here is the email I got from Thule:
>Neither Thule Europe nor Thule U.S. are the O.E.M. provider for >Mercedes Benz. The company you need to contact is Oris.
>Customer Service
>Thule, Inc. USA
The persistent guy I am, I've picked up the MB roof rack today from the dealer and went straight to the Thule place (Racks Unlimited in Calgary, these guys are the best).
To make a long story short the Thule 6-pair ski carrier fits the MB rack like a glove. We had to use a VW Adapt Kit (from Thule). The kit really means 4 bols that fit into the MB rail (same as Thule rapid bar) and you attach the rack to them.
Both parts have the same aluminium finish so the setup looks really good.
This means that all types Thule accessories can fit the MB rack. Oh, this VW Adapt Kit is made to be used on Volkswagens, their factory racks are also made by Oris.
Hope this helps some of you guys.
VoyagerDude
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 56
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I have a set of Yakima racks with the normal Q Towers. After calling Yakima, I learned that I can adapt it to fit the C230 by purchasing 4 new clip plates. Yakima racks are an excellent alternative. If you plan on carrying kyaks or sailboards, they have a stretch kit which allows you to move the rear support bar much further back. Just check out their website.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 40
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From: Texas - U.S.A.
camper shoes
top mounted bike rack on the Coupe.
who's got it.
Hello, Did anyone get a top-mounted roof rack for their C-coupe. If so, could you write a little bit about it or post some pictures...thank you.
Hello, Did anyone get a top-mounted roof rack for their C-coupe. If so, could you write a little bit about it or post some pictures...thank you.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 144
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From: Midwest
2002 C240
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
I also bought the MB roof rack (the basic carrier) and use it as a base for a 6-pair Thule ski rack.
I also plan to get the Thule (VeloVise) fork-down bile racks for summer.
I also plan to get the Thule (VeloVise) fork-down bile racks for summer.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
2002 C240
Originally posted by VoyagerDude
I also bought the MB roof rack (the basic carrier) and use it as a base for a 6-pair Thule ski rack.
I also plan to get the Thule (VeloVise) fork-down bile racks for summer.
I also bought the MB roof rack (the basic carrier) and use it as a base for a 6-pair Thule ski rack.
I also plan to get the Thule (VeloVise) fork-down bile racks for summer.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Originally posted by c240x
Do the Thule accesories fit into the c-channel MB roof racks? I though the Velovise 589 fork down carrier was designed only for the rectangular bars
Do the Thule accesories fit into the c-channel MB roof racks? I though the Velovise 589 fork down carrier was designed only for the rectangular bars
)The Thule Flattop ski rack (silver in color) was also meant to be used the the Thule square bars but with the adaptor (which is basically a T bolt
) works beautifully with the MB rack. oh yeah, Volvo and VW use exact same c-channel system for their racks and accessories.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
I wonder if the taller of the risers is supposed to go in the back so the rack holds whatever it's holding on a level plane. I would thing a boards, ski's or kayak would fly right off the roof if the front was higher than the back (as pictured here) https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=bike+rack
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Originally posted by Rick
I wonder if the taller of the risers is supposed to go in the back so the rack holds whatever it's holding on a level plane. I would thing a boards, ski's or kayak would fly right off the roof if the front was higher than the back (as pictured here) https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=bike+rack
I wonder if the taller of the risers is supposed to go in the back so the rack holds whatever it's holding on a level plane. I would thing a boards, ski's or kayak would fly right off the roof if the front was higher than the back (as pictured here) https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=bike+rack
