BD-C63

So, are there any C63 owners out there sporting a roof rack? I'm debating getting one this spring as I'm an avid mountain biker and am getting tired of giving up my amg to my wife every time I go biking... The Europeans have it going on with their roof rack integration. My Saab had a similar design.

MW_ATL

I can't speak for the C63 rack itself, but I debated for a while and looked at aftermarket racks, but ended up with the MB rack and bike rails for my W203 Coupe. I could not be happier with the quality, fit, looks when it fit and with two bikes racked up. It has been rock solid even with the bikes on-board at freeway speeds in Atlanta. I could not be happier, and I am pretty picky. Whenever I move up to a W204/C63 I will get the basic rack and use this setup, I am sure. Since the bike rails are universal for MB, I can only assume the W204 would be as solid a setup.

I got the bike rails for mine new from eBay, I believe from Fletcher-Jones in Chicago. They listed them a bit cheaper than I could find them elsewhere, and had shipping included. I just had to wait a few days after the first for them to relist, so I could order the second. If you decide to go this route, PM me and I will double check who those were from.

xcharlesy

I think it looks great!

irablumberg

Take a look at the Yakima rack for the C. I got one and it is very nice. The "feet" bolt on to dedicated mount points on the roof. Once the feet are bolted down, the base rack cross bars drop into the feet and lock down. The beauty of this system is that when not in use, you can snap the cross bars right out and just drive around with the feet on the roof. If you have 2 bike racks, you can actually leave the racks connected to the cross bars and remove the racks and cross bars as a single unit.

jvanbrecht

I am also an avid cyclist (Mtn and Road) I have never had an issue shoving the bike into the trunk of my car with the seats down. However, I have been looking at roof racks for a while, (with 9 month old infant draining all funds, I cannot afford the luxury at the moment).

I recommend the Yakima WHISPBAR (S6 flush or S16 through fits our cars)
It's not cheap by any means, around $500 for the feet and cross bars.. but it definitely fits the style of our cars

Here is an image I found of the flush one on a BMW

lyyca

Not the best picture...



I have no use for a rack just got it for **** and giggles :P

Mr Jones

MW_ATL, with the MB racks, can you take a shot of how it connects to the car please. I know it connects to the lug under the flip up plastic hatch, but does any part of the rubber base touch the car? I'm looking at some Thule racks and they connect, but have a rubber base. In the past, I had racks on another car and dust got in between the rubber and the car and over time, it wore the paint slightly.

BD-C63

The MB racks don't touch the paint at all. The entire load is on the metal pads which is located under the lift up covers. The plastic covers on each end of the crossbars come within about 1-16" to 1/8" of the paint, but do not touch.

I had the same Thule racks for my Infiniti and because it didn't have a rack connection point, they do clamp on the painted surface and will over time scratch the paint.

Mr Jones

Thanks guys, I'm going to go with the MB ones. Thanks for taking the time to help me.

Homey63

Consider the Thule. One advantage of the Thule is that you can interchange between vehicles by simply changing the fit kit. I use the same rack between my 12 c63 sedan and 14 e550 sedan. I prefer the square bar over the oval bar because it is slightly more practical with older Thule accessories and clamping the odd plywood sheet and 2x4" when needed. The bar is bombproof. Back in the day, I was able to mount three bikes on a longer bar (sadly now retired) and now a coffin box for skis and cottage runs

when you sell your car, you carry the bar forward to the next car. Selling the MB rack you get nothing for it. Just another point of view!

Mr Jones

I bought the MB ones and thankfully got them discounted to less than what the Thule ones were selling for. For anyone trying to decide between the genuine MB or Thule aftermarket, the MB product wins hands down. I fitted and removed both racks to my car. The MB ones are so much simpler. With the Thule ones it's a 2 stage process. First you have to screw a double ended bolt into each lug in the roof channel. You then have to attach the rack to each lug. And as discussed above the MB ones sit just above the roof with nothing touching the paintwork.
Thanks for your help and advice.