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Thule Roof bars

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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Hits553
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Thule Roof bars

Post by Hits553 » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:18 pm

Hi Guys

Just need some help on Roof Bars, i seen some Thule Roof Bars for a E53, but i'm not sure which will be the best fit between these and the easiest to fit, Mont Blanc and BMW originals. All i really need them for is to carry a pair of Ladders once in a while.

Any feedback is much appreciated

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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by X5Sport » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:29 pm

I have a set of Thule Aero bars and a set of their square bars for the E53. Aero's for posh stuff and squares came from a previous vehicle and I kepth them as they fit. They take about 5 mins to fit as they clamp over the rails and you centre up the bars then tighten into place and lock a cover on.
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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by Hits553 » Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:05 pm

Thanks bud, seen some one ebay see how much they go for, only need them for transporting ladders once in a while so i dont need anything fancy

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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by X5Sport » Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:49 pm

I use the square bars for moving scruff stuff etc. Easier to strap things too. I do have a set of Thule devices that fit over the bars and act as sideways locks that you casn also pass straps through.
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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by gobiman » Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:26 pm

I have a set of Mont Blanc RF20 bars which I use for a couple of bike racks and/or a roofbox. Excellent design and easy to adjust, fit and tighten. I've never been wholly convinced of the merits of aero bars unless of course you leave them on for effect - you will be fitting something vastly less aerodynamic to them.
I think these cost around £70 on ebay a year or so ago.
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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by CondorX5 » Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:21 pm

I have a set of the Mont Blancs and a set of BMW OEM Roof bars - the Mont Blancs are virtually identical to the Halfords / Paddy Hopkirk own branded ones, which are easy to fit and look good - I bought some locks for them at the same time and total cost was about £70 as Gobiman says. I then received a brand new set of BMW bars as a gift - these are much more expensive and look nice, but do exactly the same job.
The Thule bars I used on my Range Rover are likewise decent quality. Just avoid the really really cheap ebay bars and stick to mainline brands like Thule or Mont Blanc - they do the job well.
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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by Sundayjumper » Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:59 pm

Another vote here for Thule :thumbsup: It's the only brand I've used for about ten years now, roof bars & bike carriers.

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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by pvr » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:28 pm

And again for the Thule kit, have had that for 10 years now on various BMWs and all I have to do each time is buy the different length bars when I change car, the rest remains the same.

I did go for the "one key" solution, makes it a lot easier to use.
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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by bonerp » Wed Mar 23, 2011 6:30 pm

i bought some bars off ebay with locks and they look pretty good for £57.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 2411wt_821


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Re: Thule Roof bars

Post by Hits553 » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:18 pm

Wel got them some Thule locable pair from Ebay for £31.00, collect them tomorrow, they were fitted to an X5 previously so should be simple to kit

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