grimster

Just installed Whispbar S55 and was pleased to learn that there is no sunroof interference. Very easy install, and they look great with a very low profile and closely matched aluminum finish. These are much more low profile that the current offering from MB. I got them from Re-Rack in Portland, OR by mail AND they were half price.

Yakima bought this brand, and it was hard to find information about fit online. I went for it and they fit and look great. The installation was very easy. I thought I would share with anyone looking for crossbars for their GLS that are quiet and stylish.

http://www.whispbar.com/

https://www.rerack.com/whispbar-rail...5-910mm-970mm/

Isawelvis

thnks good info.

knpnj

How do you find the wind noise to be with these?

We had the standard MB rails installed by the dealer and you can clearly hear them at speed (50+) on the highway.

grimster

So far, they are very quiet. I will be on the highway for a long trip soon. Will let you know, but these are designed with a wing-like shape and are intended to be as quiet as possible. The low profile look and cheaper price over the MB option were enough to convince me, even if they make some wind noise.

knpnj

Thanks.
I too believe that the aerofoil shape should make this much quieter, compared to the OEM MB.
Please post your experience, I'll likely sell the OEM and get these.

fabbrisd1

On the MB cross-bars - the Cross-Bars kit comes with "rubber pattern strips" that cut down wind noise - but most dealer techs don't know that and throw them away.

I am not saying MB bars are as quiet as Whisper - what I am saying is "most" dealer installed MB crossbars are installed incorrectly and the wind-noise-reducing adhesive straps are thrown away before you even know you have them..

Keep the beat !

bylife

consider this Whispbar S55 as well.

knpnj

Hi grimster,
any new feedback on the wind noise with the S55? Especially at highways speeds?
Thnx!

knpnj

Anyone have more feedback on the Whispbar? I'd like to replace the factory ones with those if better.
Tnx

Chris D

Installed these on my GLS two weeks ago and just put 1,400 mi on them to CO and back. They are very quiet, so no complaint there. Couple considerations worth noting, however.

As a heads up for those with existing rooftop boxes, etc. - these are very wide bars. The U brackets that connect my Thule box to the bars would not fit around these crossbars, so will have to get adapters to mount it. Make sure you evaluate your racking for the bar width before you assume you can install the Whispbars, mount up a box and go.

Secondly, the OP mentioned and showed photos that their sunroof cleared under the bars - that is not my experience. I had my front crossbar mounted just behind the middle of the dual sunroofs (I prefer my box toward the back, just forward enough to allow the trunk lid to open all the way) and my sunroof stops sliding about six inches back. It pops up just fine, but will not slide back very far due to the low profile of the bars. It appears from the OP's photos that the front bar was mounted pretty far forward, so likely doing that allows the sunroof to clear. Wanted to let others know that it won't necessarily clear in all positions on the roofline.