Install Thule roof rack tracks

[PhilH]

Anyone in Europe with a sunroof? What does the roof look like? Can you see the fiber pattern in the roof?

No. It's made of glass.

 

[jadnashuanh]

Anyone in Europe with a sunroof? What does the roof look like? Can you see the fiber pattern in the roof?

No. It's made of glass.

Referring to the rest of the roof compared to an i3 without a sunroof...

To meet the US requirements, they could have changed the whole roof for the USA, but my guess is that they just embedded some metal around the opening rather than making the entire roof out of metal which would add even more weight on top of the car which is never a particularly good thing. Or, they petitioned the feds to accept that the CFRP was actually stronger than the metal they call for when a sunroof is installed, and the US i3 with a sunroof is no different than those sold elsewhere.

 

[Stevei3]

Anyone in Europe with a sunroof? What does the roof look like? Can you see the fiber pattern in the roof?

Hi Jim,

europe calling . The roof of our car, with sunroof, was made out of CFRP, like yours. They switched to an aluminium roofpanel icw. the sunroof a while ago (a year ? - some other minor modifications were introduced alongside). I doubt this had anything to do with US regulations though. More a cost optimization I would think.

Regards, Steven

 

[jadnashuanh]

If I had to guess, adding in the aluminum to the roof would add to the costs, and only was done to meet the US requirement for there to be metal support in the roof when you have a sunroof. Prior to that, the sunroof was not able to be offered in the USA. Personally, I'm glad, it made finding one with the options I wanted easier. Depending on the model, a sunroof can cause you to loose as much as nearly 3" of headroom (I had an Audi A6 once, the difference between with and without a sunroof was 2.85"), which I cannot tolerate. The US tends to make a sunroof standard on many cars, so that limits my choices of which ones I can comfortably drive! BMW specifically won't 'delete' a standard option, even though it may be an option in other markets for sale in the USA.

 

[RANGERS8308]

Just a question on the car and the roof racks. If and when they make roof racks that can fit to the i3 would the roof support a hard shell roof tent with 2 adults and 1 child like in the attached link

https://www.globetrotter.de/shop/maggiolina-air-top-dachzelt-246145-safari/?sku=246145006&utm_source=PTID13002411&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjwu5veBRBBEiwAFTqDwR7exPVKOINklbbEI6YLANfbHVS1Oyqitlov_2HUF651lhClmec5TBoClmkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[jadnashuanh]

Most BMWs have a max roof loading of 200# or so...based on that, no, I do not think the roof would support it. Given the plastic trims, I'm not confident you could get a roof rack's removable feet to lock in place. That would leave either gluing or screwing a set in place...wouldn't be my choice to attempt, although there certainly are adhesives that could do it - a lot of the car is already assembled with them, so that could work.

The i3 was never intended for that type of use so you're in uncharted territory.

 

[tobster]

the seasucker looks ideal for an i3. I've see these sucker carriers for many years in Europe for snow boards and skis, especially on "exotic" cars e.g. Lamborghini, Ferrari, which may not have dedicated carriers for them.
https://www.seasucker.com/collections/car-racks/products/ski-rack
there is even a photo of an i8 with a seasucker installed
https://www.seasucker.com/collections/car-racks

 

[PBNB]

I want to use a roof rack to carry a small ladder for work. I was quite disappointed to find out we couldn't install a Thule on the car. Fortunately we have another work vehicle.

The seasucker mounts look promising!

 

[Anonymous]

The SeaSucker mounts look promising!

Yeah, but pricy.

People have put together their own temporary roof carrier with these.

https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-cup-suction-lifter-46134.html

https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Dual-Cup-Suction-Lifter-Temporary-Car-Roof-Rac/

 

[Anonymous]

The Yakima site shows they do a roof rack system that fits the i3 - but at a price pushing $700 for one, makes the SeaSucker mount look very economical.

And with frameless windows, not sure how the Yakima system, which looks like it clamps to the top inside of the door frame would work.

 

[pollywog]

Looks like this option from Yakima might suite your needs for skis: https://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Rack/Yakima/Y07418.html

Seems like for skis, snowboards, even kayaks it might get the job done. However, with the way our windows roll up, even this may not be ideal.

For my mountain bikes, I went with this hitch rack: https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2017_BMW_i3.htm

It gives you a 2" hitch receiver. In my case I then used a 1-up bike rack. But you could use their cargo carrier, or any for that matter: https://www.1up-usa.com/product-category/cargo-carriers/ I like their stuff because its super strong but much lighter weight than other options.

The best thing about this hitch rack is that there is nothing permanently changed to the vehicle in any way that would cause issues in my mind. And mine has been working so well. Install was straightforward. A few install videos to help with included instructions, but I found this one to be the best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zPYNzdnql8

Hope this helps.

 

[bimo]

Not a thule but the Japanese person had succeeded to attach a roof box without any drilling.

cf.
https://minkara.carview.co.jp/smart/userid/415925/car/3111497/12052916/parts.aspx

Make: CAR MATE (Japan)
Brand: inno

I think that the Key point is the available roof base for the i3.
The “inno” lines up similar parts to the Thule.

May be You can find some carryover parts for the Thule and with Your good ideas to adapt the Thule.

Thanks.

 

[bimo]

Sorry, I made some mistakes.

The roof base is not provided by “inno”.

That is other make and a commodity,
not for i3 only.

cf.
https://minkara.carview.co.jp/smart/userid/415925/car/3111497/12041030/parts.aspx

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/souplesse/souplesse-00295/

It looks hung on the rubber strips of the windows,so it’s not so rigid.

 

[S8ERV]

Hi,

I solved this. Check my thread a few below yours

https://www.mybmwi3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=71976#p71976