Roof bars

[fatladandy]

I am looking at getting some roofbars for my x5 ready for the family holiday. i have been looking at halfords, mont blanc and thule. last night whilst browing ebay came across a couple of bmw dealers selling genuine e53 roofbars. has anybody used these and are they any better or worse than the aftermarket alternatives. price wise they are about the same as thule and the more expensive mont blanc bars.

[X5Sport]

I think the OEM ones were made by Thule for a while, so the quality will be at least up to that standard.

[syg9m]

hi I have had both the thule & the BMW original ones it depends on what you are using them for obviously all of the thule products will fit the thule bars but not any of the BMW items , roofbox , bike racks as the T pieces are larger but narrower on the bmw ones so thule wont fit them & vice a verse . The BMW ones have a higher load aswell 100kg verses 75kg with the Thule . If you opt for the latest BMW they are simple to fit & lock aswell as we just bought some from  a dealer for my wifes X1 fit them in seconds .

[fatladandy]

I want the bars to fit my generic roofbox. its been fitted to various bars over the years. i think i will probably go for the bmw bars as they look a little neater

[dirtymonkey29]

I have halfords square bars which I think is kit E.  I bought locks for them too and there fine.

[jaynana]

i have thule 762 bars with thule 757 feet. works well, surely for standard eqpt. bars are thick and old fashioned but i got them really cheap off ebay. thule has newer aero bars as well.

[bonerp]

I use some cheap aero bars with locking covers off ebay and no probs.  Cost less than £50.

[garethdeb]

As did I but don't believe them when they say 120 cm bars will fit cos they don't! Had to send my first ones back and exchange them for 135cm ones. Do the biz tho, lock onto the rails and take my bike carriers nicely.
Regards
Gareth