albania

hello
what kind of rack did you use to carry on bicycles on your w211 ?
maybe Roof Rack or Trunk Mount Rack ?
do you recommend one? do you sell one ?
thanks

kajtek1

Don't know what you can get in Albania, but most convenient racks IMHO are hitch-mounted, or best is the platform where you stand bikes on. Make sure you get anti-wobble kit.
For long transport the best is roof-mounted and MB is selling relabeled racks from Thule.
But lifting bike on the roof is not for every bike and not for every owner.

rapidoxidation

I use the factory rack mounts with a Yakima system. Carries bikes, canoes, rocket boxes, skis, ladders, wheelbarrows. Maybe not all at once, but I can carry a bike and canoe at the same time no problem.

albania

I dont have a tow installed on my w211 and I was thinking about this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-S-102-...16.m2516.l5255

my question is: will it damage something? did you tried ?
also I would prefer a cheap solution

albania

the factory rack mounts are interesting but they cost a lot
only if someone is selling them with a good price

rapidoxidation

they do cost, but this is definitely a case of getting what you pay for. You'll soon forget the sting of the purchase price. The rack is easily installed/removed and the pods that the rack mounts on stay on the roof with snap-on covers that clean up the mounting points.
Secure and lockable
No paint scratching bumpers and straps
HUGE variety of mounts available - expandable in its ability to carry whatever you've got
Well worth the price of admission and it'll last for the life of the car

I've put a yak rak on pretty much every car/truck I've owned and have yet to be disappointed.
Find what you need (part numbers) here:
https://www.yakima.com/
then start trolling ebay for the bits and pieces to build the rack you want. There's used parts coming up all the time for way less than new.

kajtek1

I've seen those in parks on beaten-up cars where owner doesn't care about paint wear.
But what worse, I followed cars with such racks and have seen bike wheel scratching the car on bumps.
That might be the option for 1 a year event, but if you care about your car and about your bike - stay away from this stuff.

rapidoxidation

^that

albania

ok

albania

definitely I will buy some OEM roof racks

albania

or build one

rapidoxidation

You've got 4 anchor points under the little flip-up covers on the roof. Start building from there; post up a pic of what you do!

albania

absolutely