Roof Box

[C220DLondon]

Before we start... I realise that this is definitely a first world problem and not something that anyone should obsess over or get too worked up about...

But, I am looking for a roof box for my C220 Estate. It's in Selenite grey. At the moment I am looking at the Thule Motion XT Sport as my preferred box. The colour choices are Titan Glossy or Black Glossy.

Practical part of brain says Black - it should stand the test of time and complement almost any colour scheme, but the Titan looks nice. But I think may clash horribly with the Selenite which is a nice, but 'unusual' shade of grey.

Anyone on the forum got a Selenite Mercedes with a roof box who could share thoughts?

Many thanks, Matthew

 

[SW18]

Before you settle for a Thule roof box, I very much recommend to take a look at these people.
The Roof Box Company

I’m so glad I found them: they have good product reviews and info and I ended up with a Kamei (the German equivalent of Thule, and the supplier of Merc’s own roof boxes). The Kamei is larger for a stated capacity, was considerably cheaper, feels good quality and has been very easy to use. Eg opens both sides for easy loading; huge capacity; has no nonsense multi-point locking that just locks when you close the lid. I ended up spending about £200 less for box and bars than the Thule kit I started out planning to buy, and I reckon I got better quality too.

I can’t help re colour, sorry, as I have a gloss black box on a black car...

 

[C220DLondon]

Thanks. That's helpful.

 

[Will]

I’m 99% sure that Thule make the MB-branded roof boxes, I’ve had a few too, the hinges and keys/locks are 100% identical to Thule, in fact the keys even have the same numbering system as Thule. I would suggest also that Thule (or MB boxes) retain their value well, if you were to buy a good condition used box you’d likely get your money back if your needs changes (eg you needed a larger one or changed car etc)

IMHO silver or grey go well with most colour vehicles, but importantly they keep cool and are easier to keep looking clean - almost all gloss black roof boxes I’ve seen look unsightly with battle scars, scrapes and scratches etc. Likewise most roof rail kits are silver (MB genuine ones) I suspect for similar reasons, although black is an option for Thule and others for aesthetics I guess

This is a 400L MB box, fitted to Thule rails using the ‘T’ shaped fixings - very solid and easy to fit:



I think the Thule one you’re looking at is 300L, have a look in somewhere like Halfords to see if you think it would be large enough - it’s surprising how much you fill them up when you start packing

 

[MercedesDriver]

Another vote for Kamei. I have Corvara 475 for a couple of years now and it’s been fantastic on Thule Wingbars with T-slot fixings. It is maybe too big for C-class but there is a smaller version 395. Very little noise and opening from both sides.

 

[bolidemichael]

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but it's a roof box thread and I have one... it's an MB branded box, which I think looks particularly good as it's distinctive and with a thoughtful balancing of colours - gray on the base, a gloss black band along the centre line and a white top - with five the appearance of sleekness - it is fairly spacious too, though the single rear opening door is too much for the struts initially, despite having replaced them on purchase.



Also, for a previous trip in our old V70, we rented a roof box from the Welwyn Roof Box Company and they can and installed it for us and supplied the fitted bag for it too. That's quite a nice fuss free option.

 

[C220DLondon]

Before you settle for a Thule roof box, I very much recommend to take a look at these people.
The Roof Box Company

I’m so glad I found them: they have good product reviews and info and I ended up with a Kamei (the German equivalent of Thule, and the supplier of Merc’s own roof boxes). The Kamei is larger for a stated capacity, was considerably cheaper, feels good quality and has been very easy to use. Eg opens both sides for easy loading; huge capacity; has no nonsense multi-point locking that just locks when you close the lid. I ended up spending about £200 less for box and bars than the Thule kit I started out planning to buy, and I reckon I got better quality too.

I can’t help re colour, sorry, as I have a gloss black box on a black car...

Thank you so much for the recommendation. I've been doing research and it seems you're right on the Kamei boxes. Nearly bought a new one. Unfortunately, they were on backorder. But (and it had to happen one day) eBay came up trumps and I got a VW box (a Kamei Corvara 390 in disguise) that was nearly new and at a good price. The VW titanium grey that it comes in is a near-perfect match for selenite grey on Mercedes. Really chuffed. Yes, I know it says Volkswagen on the side... Trying to decide if that matters enough to me to replace with Mercedes decals - easy enough. Thoughts everyone?

Anyway, here's a picture:

 

[SW18]

Thank you so much for the recommendation. I've been doing research and it seems you're right on the Kamei boxes. Nearly bought a new one. Unfortunately, they were on backorder. But (and it had to happen one day) eBay came up trumps and I got a VW box (a Kamei Corvara 390 in disguise) that was nearly new and at a good price. The VW titanium grey that it comes in is a near-perfect match for selenite grey on Mercedes. Really chuffed. Yes, I know it says Volkswagen on the side... Trying to decide if that matters enough to me to replace with Mercedes decals - easy enough. Thoughts everyone?

Anyway, here's a picture:


View attachment 99018

That does look really good, what a great colour match! Glad to be of help, I was so pleased with my set-up and it’s nice to be able to pass on the knowledge...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Nice! Looks great.

Last night I ordered a new set of roof carriers - each generation of ML/GLE has different length carriers - and in no time I was browsing eBay looking for roof boxes.

I have no need for one but I thought it might look cool. I stopped myself just in time! I may go looking for a Kamei now though...

 

[219]

Another option is the Exodus range sold by Halfords and made for them by Thule ; I have a gloss black 470L which I bought when I had my S203 ; it pretty much covered the roof of the S203 and added useful load capacity for family trips .

Also available in grey , can be seen in any Halfords . Unless you’re in a hurry , it is worth waiting as they go on offer a couple of times a year , I bought mine during one and got over £100 off the normal price . It also , just , fitted inside my S203 with the seats folded down to save a faff in the retail park trying to fit it for the first time . Once set up , I put discrete marks on my roof rails with an indelible marker pen where the bars had to be fitted so it was easy to get everything lined up again .

 

[C220DLondon]

Nice! Looks great.

Last night I ordered a new set of roof carriers - each generation of ML/GLE has different length carriers - and in no time I was browsing eBay looking for roof boxes.

I have no need for one but I thought it might look cool. I stopped myself just in time! I may go looking for a Kamei now though...

I think you'll be pleased with a Kamei, although as it's my first roof box I'm not in a very strong position to offer an objective opinion. But from my experience with this one I would recommend. To be honest it's huge! I think it holds about 350-390 litres... It's about at the limit of what myself and my wife can maneuver into the top of the car!

This is a near equivalent from the roof box company, it only opens on one side, but I think is probably more robust with less things to go wrong in the long term than the two sided opening options.

Kamei Delphin 340

If anyone has any top tips for getting these on and off the car (I'm thinking of rigging up a basic lift mechanism with some 2x1 wood and a couple of ropes and some blocks) under the car port.

M

 

[219]

With the one I have , they aren't at all heavy when empty . I just fitted the roof bars onto the car then picked the thing up and lifted it onto the roof before opening it . I use a small set of steps beside the car to reach in and fit the U bolts through the bottom of the box and secure them . All easily done .

These days I no longer have an estate car , so the roof box lives on bars I fitted to my trailer and doubles its capacity .

 

[MercedesDriver]

I think you'll be pleased with a Kamei, although as it's my first roof box I'm not in a very strong position to offer an objective opinion. But from my experience with this one I would recommend. To be honest it's huge! I think it holds about 350-390 litres... It's about at the limit of what myself and my wife can maneuver into the top of the car!

This is a near equivalent from the roof box company, it only opens on one side, but I think is probably more robust with less things to go wrong in the long term than the two sided opening options.

Kamei Delphin 340

If anyone has any top tips for getting these on and off the car (I'm thinking of rigging up a basic lift mechanism with some 2x1 wood and a couple of ropes and some blocks) under the car port.

M

If you can lift the roof box under the car port than I recommend these hoists FASTY box hoist - half price offer. My box is hanging on these in my garage. For getting the box on a car, Mrs and I fit the box on a car side wise. For positioning on bars make sure that the box is centered and at equal distances from the tips of the bars, I'm using tape measure. Check the distance between the bars, it must be the same as the distance between the fixing slides on the bottom of the box. For my box the maximum distance between the slides under the box is 80cm (check yours) and I'm always keeping them on the max as it makes the better weight distribution. I have also cut all rubber strips for T-Slots so once the box is fitted and centered all T-slots are closed and prevent any whistle while driving.
Re VW branding: I would cover it with MB or Kamei decal.

 

[C220DLondon]

If you can lift the roof box under the car port than I recommend these hoists FASTY box hoist - half price offer. My box is hanging on these in my garage. For getting the box on a car, Mrs and I fit the box on a car side wise. For positioning on bars make sure that the box is centered and at equal distances from the tips of the bars, I'm using tape measure. Check the distance between the bars, it must be the same as the distance between the fixing slides on the bottom of the box. For my box the maximum distance between the slides under the box is 80cm (check yours) and I'm always keeping them on the max as it makes the better weight distribution. I have also cut all rubber strips for T-Slots so once the box is fitted and centered all T-slots are closed and prevent any whistle while driving.
Re VW branding: I would cover it with MB or Kamei decal.

Thanks. That's helpful.

The Volkswagen is only a vinyl sticker by the looks of things. I can get a couple of Mercedes-Benz vinyl stickers made up that will look nice (subtle - ie the same size and colour), then a winter's evening with a hair dryer and some IPA should tidy it up and see it properly branded. Right now I'm so stoked with it I can live with mismatch.

Whilst I'm here I should say what a great forum this is. Really helpful and friendly... Thanks all.