Bike Rack

[davemfox]

Has anyone put a bike rack on a E63 estate? If so, what's the best one?

Dave

 

[Steve84N]

I have a C63 but it's the same roof bar method.

We have the Thule Freeride 532 and they are much cheaper than the more expensive versions they do but work very well. I also use Thule for the rest, so Wingbars and the relevant foot pack.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I have no experience of bike racks on an E63, but it’s no different to any other E-class, except that tow bar mounted racks aren’t an option.

Personally I prefer mounting them on roof bars, and I’ve always used the OEM roof bars and carriers available from main dealers.

I dare dare that the famous brands (eg Thule, Montblanc, et al) are just as good as possibly cheaper depending upon special offers.

 

[Castor79]

View media item 7943
Thule roof bars which run with the proride carriers when transporting bikes. Good quality kit that I've had for a number of years now and just replace the foot packs when changing cars.

 

[Dammit]

I like the Thule OutRide: Thule OutRide 561 Roof Mounted Bike Carrier - 561

As it doesn't clamp the downtube - which can crush if you tighten the clamp in too enthusiastic a fashion.

I have wing-bars and the whole thing is very neat, does mean -4mpg though so I take it off whenever I don't need it (as for me 4mpg puts me at >22mpg).

 

[ph47mf]

roof bars is the best option, don't buy cheap rack that's strapped to your boot door, those scratches your paintwork!

 

[Dammit]

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I've always used the standard Mercedes and BMW roof racks and bike holders, which are made by Thule, but branded and sold as OEM.

They're superbly made and completely reliable. Possibly a bit noisy, relative to some of the "quiet" Thule equivalents, but for normal use it's not really relevant.

You can't put Saris style racks on the 5th door, as it's not engineered to take that kind of stress.

All this kit can be bought from your friendly neighbour main dealer, or for a third of the new price from a website called "EBay."

 

[Bluegnomes]

Fork clamping roof racks hold the bike most securely in my view (as in post above) and don't threaten to crush down tubes if you have a thin carbon or steel tubed bike. Thule have always been my favourite brand (which reminds me I have a couple of unused ones in the garage). I have one on the 911. The only pain with these (if you are a MTBer) is the number of different axle variants out there, plus disc callipers getting in the way and you have to have the right alxe.

Down tube clamping roof carriers are OK but certainly a bit "wobblier".

Just watch out for overhead barriers..... I've known so many people drive into them with roof mounted bikes....

I much prefer rear racks - which is what I use all the time - hence the e43 with the towbar not a e63.

 

[davemfox]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I'll see what my local dealer has "on offer" and also look at the Thule kit and see what I can get.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[Dammit]

Fork clamping roof racks hold the bike most securely in my view (as in post above) and don't threaten to crush down tubes if you have a thin carbon or steel tubed bike. Thule have always been my favourite brand (which reminds me I have a couple of unused ones in the garage). I have one on the 911. The only pain with these (if you are a MTBer) is the number of different axle variants out there, plus disc callipers getting in the way and you have to have the right alxe.

Down tube clamping roof carriers are OK but certainly a bit "wobblier".

Just watch out for overhead barriers..... I've known so many people drive into them with roof mounted bikes....

I much prefer rear racks - which is what I use all the time - hence the e43 with the towbar not a e63.

I had a tow-hitch mounted rack before- they are certainly easier to load and don't have the issues with thru-axle compatibility etc that you mention (I've got 12mm, 15mm and 15mm/boost plus standard QR which is something of a headache), but the C55 can't have a hitch so roof it was.

One advantage of roof mounted is that I don't have to get under the car to plug the lightboard in, which when it's cold and wet was never much fun.

 

[Dammit]

I'd also add that where there is a will, there is a way:

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Where there's a will, there's a Seasucker clamp - for bike rack on an SL500, or whatever.

But I hasten to add that I wouldn't use them myself:

 

[c63chris]

Another vote for Thule. I have the ones that grip the frames and use them a lot. Looks like they wobble but are fine just have to keep under the NSL! Can’t see those suction cup ones working on the SL

 

[Will]

It’s when you go to open the roof on the SL by mistake you know it was a bad idea

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

It’s when you go to open the roof on the SL by mistake you know it was a bad idea

I can’t understand why anyone would risk upsetting their roof mechanism with a Seasucker, let alone why someone would block themselves from accessing the boot of the car.
And let’s not think about the whole mechanism “pinging off” at 60 mph on the motorway.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Will]

Back to the OP’s question though - I have the same car as you (213 ’63 estate), and inherited from the previous owner a set of Thule roof bars which he used with a Thule bike carrier.

I haven’t got a bike so never looked into the bike carriers but the roof bars (Thule wing bars) are of excellent quality and rock solid.

I bought a (used) MB branded roof box but like many of the roof/carrier systems and other accessories I’m sure Thule make them for several OEMs.



(Excuse filthy car on winter wheels parked on a hill! )