Bike Rack
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
Bike Rack
Hi guys,
I've been away for a while. The new format is really cool. So the other day I tried shoving my new Mountain bike into the back seat and I scuffed things up pretty nicely ( I don't have rear folding seats ) so anyway. I think its time for a bike rack. I don't really want to spend $600 on the MB one (the price of the base rack + 2 bike rack attachments) and I would rather not get a roof mounted unit anyway.
Frankly I wouldn't mind paying up to $500 if I could get:
1) Easy to remove
2) Rear Mounted (without hitch requirement)
3) Multiple bikes (2+)
Anyone got something they can recomend (pix, links and prices please)?
Thanks
Oh and whats up with all these new nightmare posts, I've been lucky I haven't had any issues at all recently.
L8r
I've been away for a while. The new format is really cool. So the other day I tried shoving my new Mountain bike into the back seat and I scuffed things up pretty nicely ( I don't have rear folding seats ) so anyway. I think its time for a bike rack. I don't really want to spend $600 on the MB one (the price of the base rack + 2 bike rack attachments) and I would rather not get a roof mounted unit anyway.
Frankly I wouldn't mind paying up to $500 if I could get:
1) Easy to remove
2) Rear Mounted (without hitch requirement)
3) Multiple bikes (2+)
Anyone got something they can recomend (pix, links and prices please)?
Thanks
Oh and whats up with all these new nightmare posts, I've been lucky I haven't had any issues at all recently.
L8r
Last edited by TREZ63; Jul 6, 2004 at 10:29 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
There are a number of quality, rear-mounted, bike racks on the market; the problem with those though, is that the weight is concentrated on the rear bumper [and maybe the center of your trunk]. If you regularly carry heavy loads (read as: crappy bikes) the bumper material might shift, crack or warp.
My beater is a '95 Mazda Mx6, been carrying mountain bikes on that thing since the day I bought it.. rear bumper is angled at about 10 degrees from horizontal from all the weight (I typically carry 3 bikes on GRABER MOUNTAINEER rack).
The rack is great. I've never had a problem with it in the 8+ years I've owned it. Albeit, it's outdated. There are niftier racks out there now (more modern looking).
Not sure I would put a rear-mounted rack on an E though. Quite frankly, the only reason I've kept my Mazda is specifically for sporting activities (Biking, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, et al)..
Ack!! I would never mount a kayak on the roof of my E!!! Just the thought of it makes me cringe!
I really think a 'hitch' type rack would be the way to go, especially if you could get one custom for the E. That's what I'm considering.
Anyway, GL.
My beater is a '95 Mazda Mx6, been carrying mountain bikes on that thing since the day I bought it.. rear bumper is angled at about 10 degrees from horizontal from all the weight (I typically carry 3 bikes on GRABER MOUNTAINEER rack).
The rack is great. I've never had a problem with it in the 8+ years I've owned it. Albeit, it's outdated. There are niftier racks out there now (more modern looking).
Not sure I would put a rear-mounted rack on an E though. Quite frankly, the only reason I've kept my Mazda is specifically for sporting activities (Biking, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, et al)..
Ack!! I would never mount a kayak on the roof of my E!!! Just the thought of it makes me cringe!
I really think a 'hitch' type rack would be the way to go, especially if you could get one custom for the E. That's what I'm considering.
Anyway, GL.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 20
From: Long Beach, CA
'20 GL450 Cardinal Red/Expresso, 991.1 C2S Cab, 991.2 GT3, 971 Panamera 4E-H ST
Found this old thread while doing a search on roof racks for my 03 E500. Not much info here but thought I would add what I've found...
I thought the OEM racks would be better integrated with the design of the car and therefore not look as bad as the aftermarket (Yakima/Thule) offerings but I was wrong. They look about the same... the one they have at the dealer is the same as the picture on clairparts.
I priced out the Yakima w/ 2 bike racks and it came to less than $450
www.rei.com or www2.sportsrack.com was about the same.
Will post pics if and when I get them
I thought the OEM racks would be better integrated with the design of the car and therefore not look as bad as the aftermarket (Yakima/Thule) offerings but I was wrong. They look about the same... the one they have at the dealer is the same as the picture on clairparts.
I priced out the Yakima w/ 2 bike racks and it came to less than $450
www.rei.com or www2.sportsrack.com was about the same.
Will post pics if and when I get them
