rack on bmw
 

I hate to do it, but have no choice..... I used to carry around my Cervelo Force bike(s) in my truck, but I have to transport them on the back of my BMW 525. I need room for 2 bikes. Any suggestions from those who have carried on the backs of their cars (trunk not roof)? I hate the thought of putting them back there, but want something reliable. Let me know what you think.

Long ago I had a couple of trunk carriers but I was never happy with how they mounted to the cars. I've long since carried what I need to up top. I've had a wide range of cars (mostly BMWs) and get a rack for most of them. With the roof mounted racks I never had any worries with security or about changing the fit and finish in any way. All of my racks have come off the cars leaving no trace that they were there.

Of course another advantage is that I still have full access to the rear hatch or trunk.

http://www.pbase.com/image/111955746.jpg

This is often a hard thing for BMW owners to accept, but it's just a car. The same racks that will work on a Honda, Toyota or Yugo will work on a BMW (I've owned two of them, and I liked them a lot, but apparently I forgot to check the "Sense of Superiority" box on the option list).
Having said that, Yakima makes an excellent trunk-mount rack that I used on my 3 Series, my Protege5, my Saab and my son's '95 Tercel. Can't remember the model, but it's well padded, and the lower pad rides on the license plate, so you don't have to worry about that. It carries two bikes very securely, three a little less so.
I also have a Yakima roof rack, and I use that by preference, but the trunk rack is fine and costs about a quarter as much.

Look at Saris Bones. They even have one in hot pink, with a small chunk of the money going to cancer research.

BMWs are superior (subjective), but many drivers think that *they* are because they drive one. That's where the problems can start. :rolleyes:

I only worry about preserving the fit and finish of my cars (any make) because I know they are going to be sold and I have this fetish for getting what I paid out of the sale. I've done this on many occasions and the roof racks have helped.

Saris however does have a loyal following among those that use trunk mounted racks.

BMW is NOT just a car, it's a BMW!
dc

On my BMW, which is just a car, but a car I really like, I put on a small receiver hitch and use a tray style hitch rack. Nothing ever touches the car. Of course, it did involve the adventure of drilling 8 holes in the trunk pan.

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