bike carriers (with no tow bar)

[celica]

What are my options on bike carriers?

The car came with BMW roof bars, so I guess I could get a bike roof carrier. My only concern is that my old bike is heavy, and to lift it up I think I may struggle without damaging the car paintwork.

anyone have one which goes on the roof, what's it like etc.?

[X5Sport]

I think BMW and others may do a 'bike lift' that will help you.  Have a search on line for bike lifts 

Richard

[Steamyrotter]

You could try the following..

Lay bike on drive at an approx 90deg angle from the sides, and 2.5 m in front of the car...
Alternatingly select Drive and Reverse in the car and progress approximately 5 meters in each direction for 10 mins
Pick up remains of bike and fold it in 2

Then pop it in the boot...

Might be a bit of an issue the other end, but you'll have to sort that one out yourself!!??


Failing that there is a version for the E53 that connected to the roof bars and dropped down the back of the car, resting on the bumper??  Is there something similar for the E70??

[X5Sport]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
You could try the following..

Lay bike on drive at an approx 90deg angle from the sides, and 2.5 m in front of the car...
Alternatingly select Drive and Reverse in the car and progress approximately 5 meters in each direction for 10 mins
Pick up remains of bike and fold it in 2

Then pop it in the boot...

Might be a bit of an issue the other end, but you'll have to sort that one out yourself!!??
[/quote]

You are definitely suffering from 'notbrokenthisweekitis'.  )

[kenniff]

I put mine on the roof using the BMW roofbars and bike skids.

I wouldnt recommend it because:
1. Its expensive
2. They are a bugger to get up there
3. If you want to make putting the roofrack on and off simple and quick you'll want to store it with the skids left on. This means it keeps its shape and all you have to do is find a friend to lift it into place then secure the 4 corners. Keeping it assembled like this saves time but is a beggar to store.
4. If you leave the roofbars on when not carrying bikes the wind noise is ridiculously loud.
5. When you do carry bikes it makes your already less than perfect fuel economy MUCH worse.

If i was doing it all again I'd either get a tow bar fitted and use one of those racks that sit behind the car OR try and source one that fits into the towing eye sockets. I did see one a while back (and posted a link on this site somewhere) but they appear hard to find.

Just found the link - its for a US supplier but it does suggest they made these. Scroll down to 82710443424*

http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocator/ ... tartrow=51



Oh and see here for a post on another forum about the same thing: http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=875569