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Finally got my rack installed so I can do some rides. REI had a pretty dope sale so I had to wait a little to get the parts. I've owned many different setups over the years. This is by far the best one. Having side rails really makes it sturdy and easy to install. Each foot is pinched onto the rail and the rail has a lip so its not going anywhere. Only takes one screw per corner to take it off. Takes about 5 minutes total to remove the entire rack and hang it in my garage. Wind noise is minimal; its one of the quietest racks I've owned. Zero interference with the sunroof. I really wanted to do a hitch rack on this car, but I didn't see any good solutions for a hitch on the 43. Anyways, here's a couple pics
Thanks for post and photos; super helpful. I’m looking to do a similar setup for my GLC since there is not a great hitch option for the AMG models. What model Thule roof rack is that? I would go for a slightly different bike rack, but the feet and crossbars looks like it works perfect for the car. Is it a pain to load the bike on top? Thanks!
Thanks for post and photos; super helpful. I’m looking to do a similar setup for my GLC since there is not a great hitch option for the AMG models. What model Thule roof rack is that? I would go for a slightly different bike rack, but the feet and crossbars looks like it works perfect for the car. Is it a pain to load the bike on top? Thanks!
lol sorry, I totally forgot to mention the model. Its an aeroblade edge. Thule has 3 styles, the edge is expensive, but totally worth it. Much quieter and the T-slot is the best way to mount trays. REI is doing 20% off right now so get on it. Fit kit was 4068, but REI doesn't stock it. I bought it off amazon. 7601B for the rear bar, 7602B for the front bar. "B" is for black, no B is for regular aluminum finish
The tray I have is the only option for 15mm axle, other than the ones where you keep the wheels installed. I'm not a fan of those because they sway too much.
It's not a pain to load the bike on top, but then again, I've been using roof racks for years. This car is taller than my last car (IS350) but its still pretty easy. The tray I have helps. When the nose is open, you just drop the axle in it. Exact position isn't important. closing the nose slides the axle into position and locks it down.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I didn't find a whole lot of examples out there when I was trying to figure out how to carry my bikes
lol sorry, I totally forgot to mention the model. Its an aeroblade edge. Thule has 3 styles, the edge is expensive, but totally worth it. Much quieter and the T-slot is the best way to mount trays. REI is doing 20% off right now so get on it. Fit kit was 4068, but REI doesn't stock it. I bought it off amazon. 7601B for the rear bar, 7602B for the front bar. "B" is for black, no B is for regular aluminum finish
The tray I have is the only option for 15mm axle, other than the ones where you keep the wheels installed. I'm not a fan of those because they sway too much.
It's not a pain to load the bike on top, but then again, I've been using roof racks for years. This car is taller than my last car (IS350) but its still pretty easy. The tray I have helps. When the nose is open, you just drop the axle in it. Exact position isn't important. closing the nose slides the axle into position and locks it down.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I didn't find a whole lot of examples out there when I was trying to figure out how to carry my bikes
why did you chose this over the 300 Mercedes one for GLC?
why did you chose this over the 300 Mercedes one for GLC?
I'm not sure I understand the question. You mean why did I buy thule and not a mercedes rack? tbh, I didn't really look at mecedes, I've never seen a car manufacturer with a better rack than a thule or yakima. Thule is a little better quality than yakima so I usually buy thule. On my last car (IS350) thule didn't make a rack for it so I ended up with a yakima. It worked fairly well, but the glue on the rubber pads for the side brackets started leaving black sht all over my white paint. Thule does a coating similar to plasti-dip so no residue
I read your post and car looks great.
My only question was in regard to your comment on no "hitch" solution. I assume you mean tow bar?
If so, I have Mercedes factory towbar with a Thule Bike Rack on it when needed.
I read your post and car looks great.
My only question was in regard to your comment on no "hitch" solution. I assume you mean tow bar?
If so, I have Mercedes factory towbar with a Thule Bike Rack on it when needed.
Nice! The only hitches I saw wee aftermarket and they had to trim the lower valance. Most guys said that mercedes hitch doesn't fit the GLC43 because of parking sensors or something.
What hitch do you have and did you have to trim any plastic to make it fit?
I read your post and car looks great.
My only question was in regard to your comment on no "hitch" solution. I assume you mean tow bar?
If so, I have Mercedes factory towbar with a Thule Bike Rack on it when needed.
EDIT I reread and saw that you have factory hitch. hmmm was that dealer installed after you bought it or factory installed?
Hi.
I ordered mine with the factory fitted retractable Tow Bar as it was very important for me in my car choice. Could not get an Audi RS6 or RS4 with one as Audi have nort homologated the RS models as the towbar would interfere with rear diffuser. Does not apply to GLC.
Hi.
I ordered mine with the factory fitted retractable Tow Bar as it was very important for me in my car choice. Could not get an Audi RS6 or RS4 with one as Audi have nort homologated the RS models as the towbar would interfere with rear diffuser. Does not apply to GLC.
unfortunately, we do not get the retractable in the USA.
unfortunately, we do not get the retractable in the USA.
I would have opted for it myself.
How weird. It is beautifully located such that you have no idea it is there till activated by one of 3 switches in the vehicle. Cannot think why USA versions do not offer as an option.
How weird. It is beautifully located such that you have no idea it is there till activated by one of 3 switches in the vehicle. Cannot think why USA versions do not offer as an option.
Mercedes likes to fork us. we must be a good lay!.
No C class wagon
No A class (yet)
No CLS shooting brake
No S option for GLC63 SUV
no short wheel base S class.
Kind of late to this discussion, but does anyone have any experience with a Thule rack on the GLC Coupe ? It doesn't appear on the Thule site but I spoke to someone from Thule (was onsite at REI and had a printed book which was actually more current somehow) and he gave me a parts list. I have all the parts but am hesitant to install.
Kind of late to this discussion, but does anyone have any experience with a Thule rack on the GLC Coupe ? It doesn't appear on the Thule site but I spoke to someone from Thule (was onsite at REI and had a printed book which was actually more current somehow) and he gave me a parts list. I have all the parts but am hesitant to install.
I would call thule and get the parts information from them. REI did not have the fit kit for my car listed. I had to buy it from Amazon
Do you have the flush rails on the roof? If so, its a simple matter to clamp the thule rack to the rail. You just need to make sure that you have the right fit kit and the correct length bars. On my car the front and rear bars are different lengths.
I would call thule and get the parts information from them. REI did not have the fit kit for my car listed. I had to buy it from Amazon
Do you have the flush rails on the roof? If so, its a simple matter to clamp the thule rack to the rail. You just need to make sure that you have the right fit kit and the correct length bars. On my car the front and rear bars are different lengths.
I do not have rails on the roof, but got the right (I hope) fit kit parts and have different length bars. I'm slightly concerned that this is going to leave marks on the roof if I ever take it off.... so maybe I'll never take it off.
I do not have rails on the roof, but got the right (I hope) fit kit parts and have different length bars. I'm slightly concerned that this is going to leave marks on the roof if I ever take it off.... so maybe I'll never take it off.
Thanks
ok so you'll have the kind with rubber pads and an L bracket that clamps under the door frame.
I wouldn't worry about the paint. I've used that style on multiple different cars for years now. You just have to make sure the paint is clean and waxed before you install them. They're pretty easy to take off as well. Make sure that you use a proper torque wrench because if you over tighten them you can dent the sheet metal on your roof
ok so you'll have the kind with rubber pads and an L bracket that clamps under the door frame.
I wouldn't worry about the paint. I've used that style on multiple different cars for years now. You just have to make sure the paint is clean and waxed before you install them. They're pretty easy to take off as well. Make sure that you use a proper torque wrench because if you over tighten them you can dent the sheet metal on your roof
Ask me how I know...
These clip into the recessed mounting ports on the roof - there are 4 threaded mounts and the Thule fit kit has a rubber pad that sits on the roof and has a mount that connects to the threaded roof mounts. My paint concern is that I have a matte paint job and figure that any movement in the pads will basically rub the spots to be shiny. My prior cars had roof rails or similar mounts - haven't used the door frame mounts in a very long time.
These clip into the recessed mounting ports on the roof - there are 4 threaded mounts and the Thule fit kit has a rubber pad that sits on the roof and has a mount that connects to the threaded roof mounts. My paint concern is that I have a matte paint job and figure that any movement in the pads will basically rub the spots to be shiny. My prior cars had roof rails or similar mounts - haven't used the door frame mounts in a very long time.
So... how do you know ?
ohhh I understand now. That will be similar to a thule rack that I had on a subaru sti. Thats a little more difficult to install/remove. On the subaru it was 2 bolts per foot. I just left it on full time. I didn't have it long enough to know if the paint would suffer, only about a year before I traded it in.
I had 2016 corolla with the rubber pads and L bracket. I wasn't smart about using a torque wrench and one time I over tightened it. When I took it off the sheet metal under the pads was slightly bent and when the light was just right you could see that the roof line was warped. Now I use a torque wrench LOL
I doubt you will have any problems with the mounts you are describing. I would buy the setup, install it, and move on with your life. After a few weeks you will forget its up there.
If you want a little piece of mind, trim some 3m clear vinyl to the shape of your mounts and use that to protect the paint.
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