The OEM rack un-latches and pulls out to access the truck. The other style does not. I looked into the other style and opted to buy the MINI rack instead. I would have bought either, but the rods that screw into your second choice were backed ordered at the time. This was months ago and I was told they should be in this month. ( I was trying to buy the rods directly from the seller )

The downside for either of these racks is you're going to have to retrofit the rear bumper carrier to one with the luggage prep option. See this thread

MINI F57 Bike Rack - North American Motoring

F57 :: Convertible Talk (2016+) - MINI F57 Bike Rack - Hello everyone, I am curious if anyone on here has had experience with mounting a bike rack on an F57. I have a customer interested in a 2019 convertible that does NOT have the bike rack prep kit equipped, but all other features of the car...

www.northamericanmotoring.com

 

The OEM rack un-latches and pulls out to access the truck. The other style does not. I looked into the other style and opted to buy the MINI rack instead. I would have bought either, but the rods that screw into your second choice were backed ordered at the time. This was months ago and I was told they should be in this month. ( I was trying to buy the rods directly from the seller )

The downside for either of these racks is you're going to have to retrofit the rear bumper carrier to one with the luggage prep option. See this thread

MINI F57 Bike Rack - North American Motoring

F57 :: Convertible Talk (2016+) - MINI F57 Bike Rack - Hello everyone, I am curious if anyone on here has had experience with mounting a bike rack on an F57. I have a customer interested in a 2019 convertible that does NOT have the bike rack prep kit equipped, but all other features of the car...

www.northamericanmotoring.com

Thanks for the reply! I definitely don't want to latch and un-latch the rack every time I need to access the trunk, I'd like something that can stay in place. Would the other one be convenient to keep in place at all times? I'm concerned about the rear camera and the PDC. Would it block them by any chance?

You also mentioned I need to retrofit the rear bumper carrier for either of the racks. If I get a Bike Rack Mounting System Mini Cooper Bike Rack Mounting System Gen3 F56, I don't need that, correct? And one more question if you don't mind, they have an option there for cars with the Luggage Prep option and without. How do I know if my car has it?

 

If you pop the two plugs out of the bumper cover you can see if there's two threaded inserts. The dead giveaway for luggage prep is an electrical plug on lower bumper trim.

If it has the luggage prep option and you use the MINI OEM rack it will bypass PDC and rear view camera warnings with the rack plugged in. There's no way that I have found to add this part of the luggage prep option. I think there is an aftermarket option in the European markets, but I don't want to cut into my wiring harness.

To remove the bumper cover plugs just push on the bottoms, they'll pop out.

The kit you linked to I believe as an option to add a threaded insert to a non- luggage equipped rear bumper carrier,

I opted to swap the whole carrier, because the MINI rack won't work with that insert retrofit kit. The inserts need to be an equal distance to use the OEM MINI rack vs. the VIP kit,

If you elect to use the VIP kit. The seller has an eBay store or you could buy direct. It's cheaper than MINI Mania

It kind of a real shame that MINI was so short sighted in just not fitting the luggage prep kit to every MINI or at least just making one bumper carrier with holes on both sides.

 

If you pop the two plugs out of the bumper cover you can see if there's two threaded inserts. The dead giveaway for luggage prep is an electrical plug on lower bumper trim.

If it has the luggage prep option and you use the MINI OEM rack it will bypass PDC and rear view camera warnings with the rack plugged in. There's no way that I have found to add this part of the luggage prep option. I think there is an aftermarket option in the European markets, but I don't want to cut into my wiring harness.

To remove the bumper cover plugs just push on the bottoms, they'll pop out.

The kit you linked to I believe as an option to add a threaded insert to a non- luggage equipped rear bumper carrier,

I opted to swap the whole carrier, because the MINI rack won't work with that insert retrofit kit. The inserts need to be an equal distance to use the OEM MINI rack vs. the VIP kit,

If you elect to use the VIP kit. The seller has an eBay store or you could buy direct. It's cheaper than MINI Mania

It kind of a real shame that MINI was so short sighted in just not fitting the luggage prep kit to every MINI or at least just making one bumper carrier with holes on both sides.

Is this their online store? MINI COOPER F55/F56/F57 It's definitely cheaper there so thanks for the tip!

 

I posted in the thread Collywbbles referenced earlier. I've retrofitted the factory bumper bar to hold the MINI bike rack, after evaluating the available options (factory bumper bar/rack, tow bar installation/carrier, and VIP conversion kit/carrier. I have a convertible, so a roof mount or hatch mount weren't an option for me.

In the end, there's not too difference in cost between each option, and they all require you dismantle the bumper and remove the original bumper bar, either for replacement or modification. I chose replacing the factory bumper bar because I had to remove four bolts to complete the swap. The other options require that you remove the same piece, and then drill into the original bumper bar or modifying heat shields and plastic trim.

Regardless of which option you choose, you'll still need to buy a rack. The VIP system can hold a single bike. The factory system or a tow bar-mounted system can hold two, if that's a consideration.

I actually have my rack installed today, I'll take a video of what it's like to reverse with the unit of.

 

Here's the video of what it's like to use any retrofitted bike rack options that block the parking sensors. At the end of this video, you'll see that it takes a few moments for the system to shut off after selecting Drive and moving forward. My solution is to minimize the need to reverse when using the bike rack.

 

Thanks for the reply. I’m really curious if the rear camera would still be functional. I plan to keep my bike rack installed at all times and don’t want it to bother me in any way.

Anyway I purchased the bracket and steel rods from here MINI COOPER F55/F56/F57 so I’ll report on my findings when I receive it and install it.

 

To be clear, it's not a malfunction. The rack is so close to the sensors that they are misreading the proximity as an imminent collision. This will most likely happen with any rack that is installed. Otherwise, you should have the same functionality as before, including your camera.

You can decrease the warning volume in Settings.

 

I'm looking for a simple and compact 1 or 2 bike rack for my 2019 convertible (posting it here as the f57 forum appears to be dead). I've looked into the official rear bike rack ShopMINIUSA.com: MINI Rear Bike Rack and License Plate Holder but I'm not a fan of how big and heavy it looks and how difficult the access to trunk would be.
What do you guys think of getting these two? Mini Cooper Bike Rack Mounting System Gen3 F56 and Yakima Raptoraero Bike Holder Bike Rack It seems like these would not obstruct the use of the trunk?
Are there any other options you would recommend? I've looked into something like this Thule T1 | Thule | United States but again, same issue as the official bike rack.
Any thoughts highly appreciated!

I have a 2019 S 2 door - hatch (both tail pipes are dead center so a hitch is not possible). I found a Thule "Outway Hanging 2" which accommodates 1 or 2 bikes. It is a little cumbersome, but once you get the hang of it, it only takes about 5 minutes to attach it to the hatch. The one limiting factor is that it is difficult to lift the hatch while the bike(s) are attached. The GREAT thing about the rack is that it is sturdy, well constructed and sticks "like glue". I live in Phoenix, AZ (USA) and purchased a bike in Tuscon, AZ. It is a two hour drive. After I picked up the bike and attached it to the Thule rack, there was NO movement despite the fact that traffic was moving at about 80 mph during the two hour trip back to Phoenix. If you're looking for a STURDY, dependable rack that will last, despite the one limitation, take a look (Thule OutWay 2 | Thule | United States). Happy Trails!

 

I have a 2019 S 2 door - hatch (both tail pipes are dead center so a hitch is not possible). I found a Thule "Outway Hanging 2" which accommodates 1 or 2 bikes. It is a little cumbersome, but once you get the hang of it, it only takes about 5 minutes to attach it to the hatch. The one limiting factor is that it is difficult to lift the hatch while the bike(s) are attached. The GREAT thing about the rack is that it is sturdy, well constructed and sticks "like glue". I live in Phoenix, AZ (USA) and purchased a bike in Tuscon, AZ. It is a two hour drive. After I picked up the bike and attached it to the Thule rack, there was NO movement despite the fact that traffic was moving at about 80 mph during the two hour trip back to Phoenix. If you're looking for a STURDY, dependable rack that will last, despite the one limitation, take a look (Thule OutWay 2 | Thule | United States). Happy Trails!

 

I have a 2019 S 2 door - if you're looking for a STURDY, dependable rack that will last, despite the one limitation, take a look (Thule OutWay 2 | Thule | United States). Happy Trails!

Sorry to drag up an old thread but I’m looking to buy this rack and I’m trying to find out how it fits over the spoiler (2017 F56 Cooper S). Does the standard clip reach to secure onto the metal? Or does it fit to the plastic and need securing with the additional internal straps - Hatch Huggers

Cheers
Steve

 

Why don't you get this one with the suckers? I have used this one to travel over 2000km and it's perfect, i have it on sunroof (glass) - no problem.

ROCKBROS

Hersteller von hochwertiger Fahrradausrüstung und Fahrradzubehör.

www.rockbrosbike.de

You can choose the version with 3, 4 or 5 suckers. I bought the 5 one for being more safe. it's incredibly steady and good price.... maybe you can consider it instead?

 

I don't know if it helps and i don't understand the question

I have the RockBros one -> XP1002 ROCKBROS Fahrradträger Dachgepäckträger Schnellmontage Mit Saugnapf für 2 Fahrräder

JCW trim on my car F55 5 doors, spolier and all with glass sunroof and never had any issues with this amazing sucker. i normally put it the bike on the middle of the roof and i bought the one with 5 suckers / 3 bikes just to have more grip and it's great.

The front fork will fit with the provided h shape on the front fork and has to be a certain measurement (custom forks might be too wide, it depends what bike you have too), however for the pedals, i ordered additional straps as they give you one. You need to secure the pedals onto the frame, otherwise they will move around, and they are like at 1mm from the glass roof. Just got some velcro ones and does the job or you can tape it.

 

Thanks that looks like a great rack but I’m not lifting an ebike onto the roof. I ideally wanted a towbar mount but no towbar for the Cooper S in Europe
The Mini rack would be ideal but at close to £2K I sooner put the money to another car
So it needs to be a boot mounted rack either a Saris Bones EX, but these aren’t rated for Mini or ebike, or Thule OutWay Hanging 2, which is rated for both and lockable

I’m just trying to get real world experience of either or both so I get it right first time

 

ahh got it yea, ebike is heavy yeah

 

I used a Saris Solo on my F56 but that was to carry a non-electric gravel bike. Seemed sturdy enough, but not sure how much heavier your e-bike is.

 

I finally got round to sorting this out today. I bought a Thule OutWay Hanging 2 Its rated for 30kg and even though there’s a 15kg bike limit Thule say a single ebike is still ok, mine is 22kg without the battery which you should remove for transport anyway
It fits rock solid especially with the Plastic Spoiler Reinforcement Straps fitted, they made a big difference to the flex in the door/spoiler so I’ll be running them full time
Every bike is different and I chose to modify the straps on my rack to suit my bike and to be honest it sits off centre with no overhang on the left and quite a bit on the right. I can live with that and I doubt I’ll bother with a trailer board and just take my chances