[sduk]

I know there is another thread about the Roof Bars but I have a couple of questions about roof boxes.

I have spec'd the roof rails onto my mini and am now looking at buying some roof bars and a box for my F56 Cooper SD.

I am going to go with the genuine Mini roof bars as although they are expensive they seem by far the best option.

So my question is about roof boxes. I have never had a car with roof rails and a box before.

I assume any box is compatible with the roof bars?

Is there anything in particular to look for when buying some?

The genuine Mini box is £350 but there are lots of cheaper unbranded boxes and to be honest as long as it's black to match the car I don't really care if it doesn't say Mini on it.

thanks in advance,

Sammy

 

[1chaos52]

I have a Yakima Rocketbox Pro14 that I have used on both my R56 and my F56 JCW. I would not go with anything bigger than that as the size is definitely a concern. On the R56 I was able to adjust it so that the spoiler did not hit the box when opened, but on the F56 I actually had to move the bars on the rails to a spot further forward than what Mini suggests. It all still works without issue, and there is a very slight overhang in the front, but I cannot actually see the front of the box while driving so it is not too bad.

 

[derekh929]

I know there is another thread about the Roof Bars but I have a couple of questions about roof boxes.

I have spec'd the roof rails onto my mini and am now looking at buying some roof bars and a box for my F56 Cooper SD.

I am going to go with the genuine Mini roof bars as although they are expensive they seem by far the best option.

So my question is about roof boxes. I have never had a car with roof rails and a box before.

I assume any box is compatible with the roof bars?

Is there anything in particular to look for when buying some?

The genuine Mini box is £350 but there are lots of cheaper unbranded boxes and to be honest as long as it's black to match the car I don't really care if it doesn't say Mini on it.

thanks in advance,

Sammy

On my 5 th set of Thule roof bars for the BMW I have the Thule Wing Bar edge they are very low profile and shape of plan wing to save fuel that is key if you leave them on for drag.
Two different types one without overhang best and I was £180 at time for BMW best bars I have had , I think the mini ones are more like the old Thule aero bars well they were.
As for boxes make sure get one suitable if do winter sports etc mine is long and thin and you get a gloss black Thule alpine one looks great.
Just make sure not to long with boot up measure as to big overhang at front not good for noise

 

[Hurbert II]

My only advice on roof boxes is that the better/more expensive they are, the quieter they tend to be at speed. On a run down to the Alps, this matters!

Oh, and if you ski, DO NOT put your boots in the box if you plan to ski the day you arrive.. bitter experience of rock hard, freezing cold boots!

 

[Nicklaeton26]

Read before buying roof box if you have JCW spoiler

On my late F56 MCS with JCW exterior I hired a roof box (thule atlantis 400) to fit onto my thule wing bars fixed to roof rails. All seemed fine until I opened the boot and realised that the spoiler was catching the back of the roof box only letting me open the boot half way. The boxes and rails can be adjusted a little to bring everything forward but not enough.

If my car hadn't have died (never to see it again) on the same trip as I had this problem I would have made taped some foam to box to stop scratching as I could work around half open boot. Not ideal though

Hope this helps

 

[jeremybingham]

Mini bars, karrite odyssey roof box fits fine looks fine and you don't notice it's on. Do you want back or side opening how big? Those were my only considerations. Plus reasonable quality at cheapest price.