Recommendations for a bike rack to fit CLS

[clk208]

Anyone care to recommend a bike rack (roof or boot mounted) for the CLS?

Thule (which most of my friends seem to have on their VW/Audis) sell them for just about every Mercedes except the W219 CLS. I only need to carry a maximum of 2 mountain bikes.

I do have a generic Halfords-stylie boot mounted rack that I used on the W208 a couple of times but on the CLS I think a combination of sloping downwards boot and metallic black paintwork may not end well. If only the seats were splitfolding like the CLK I may have been able to get one bike in the giant boot.

 

[RichardM]

I tried my generic Halfords one on mine and it doesn't fit very well. Was ok for a short trip but I wouldn't take it far. I think the roof is the only option.

I wish my seats folder, don't see why Mercedes should charge for that! I didn't spec the car so didn't have the choice.

 

[Fizzer]

I have Thule roof bars for the CLS. I also have the Thule roof tray. The site that I bought both of these from is Kayaks and paddles, Plymouth (also trading as car roof racks.co.uk) If you buy the roof bars first there seems to be a whole range of accessories that fit to them. The link for the cycle carriers is here - Thule Roof Mounted Cycle Carriers for sale
The roof bars I have seems strong and reasonably well made (and a LOT cheaper than Mercs own).

 

[clk208]

Thanks - looks like a really good system.

I've just checked though on the roof bars page (Roof Bars & Racks from Car Roof Racks UK to fit) and the only CLS ones available state 2010 onwards (presumably W218 model?). My CLS is a late 2007 vintage.

Which one did you select?

 

[RichardM]

You could always buy the OEM system

Mercedes-Benz CLS roof bars

Mercedes-Benz Bike Rack

It states it's for the 219.

What I don't like about these systems is that I change cars quite frequently and they are expensive to keep buying.

 

[Fizzer]

I have the 753 769 3049 roof bars. I have looked at the site again and they do say 10- but I am sure that that wasn't the case when I bought mine (about 6 months ago). The guys at Kayaks and paddles are very approachable and will confirm (or otherwise) the fitment. When the fitting kit for mine was delivered it said fitting for w212 and IIRC w204 but a call to them confirmed that I had the correct kit for the w219 and when I put everything together, they were right. Might be worth a phone call to make sure, good luck.

 

[Fizzer]

Not the prettiest picture but as you can see, they work.

 

[clk208]

^LOL! Actually I need to transport a mattress this week. The thought of using the CLS for this didn't cross my mind but good to see it can be done! That double fits easily on the width. Bet you could transport a king size if needed!

You could always buy the OEM system

Mercedes-Benz CLS roof bars

Mercedes-Benz Bike Rack

It states it's for the 219.

What I don't like about these systems is that I change cars quite frequently and they are expensive to keep buying.

Excellent, didn't think to look on Mercedes site. They aren't crazy crazy expensive then. I'll have a think about that one. Probably keeping the car for a long time, unless I end up going overseas with work.

I have the 753 769 3049 roof bars. I have looked at the site again and they do say 10- but I am sure that that wasn't the case when I bought mine (about 6 months ago). The guys at Kayaks and paddles are very approachable and will confirm (or otherwise) the fitment. When the fitting kit for mine was delivered it said fitting for w212 and IIRC w204 but a call to them confirmed that I had the correct kit for the w219 and when I put everything together, they were right. Might be worth a phone call to make sure, good luck.

Great- thanks for the info. I guess the Thule are good being non Merc specific so if any of my friends who have the Thule kit on their VW/Audis they could pop the bike holster on to my car (or vice versa) which would be good.

Spoilt for choice now!

 

[Alfajock]

A quick bump on this thread as I can confirm the same - Thule 753 foot pack and 3049 fitting kit which they list for W218 CLS also fits fine on the W219.

Just thought it would be useful info as all the retailers I spoke to said there was no Thule fitting available.

Cheers

 

[Chady]

To minimise scratching and dropping bike etc!

Tow bar (detachable) and tow bar bike rack! Is the way I went


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[6cyl]

Chady,
which tow bar did you get for your CLS ?
who fitted it ?

all the fitters I've approached said my CLS is listed for a towbar.

 

[Abb]

Chady,
which tow bar did you get for your CLS ?
who fitted it ?

all the fitters I've approached said my CLS is listed for a towbar.

The W219 was not approved for towing, hence no tow bar available.

 

[6cyl]

For those that have bought roof bars. Some sites seem to specify the 753 foot instead of the 751 foot.
For a 2009 CLS, I should be getting the 753 ?

 

[6cyl]

I realise that, MB never applied for a Certificate of Conformity. I'm not using it to tow, more of a means of attaching a cycle carrier.

 

[Dammit]

I had a tow-bar mounted carrier for my old car but the C55 doesn't appear to have a tow-hook option so I got a roof mounted carrier.

However, I am a little terrified of what it'd do to the already exciting fuel economy - which averages around 20mpg.

What sort of hit could I expect to that figure, cruising at 60ish on the motorway with a couple of bikes on the roof?