Roof Rack on 328xi

Raypep · 11-03-2017, 01:55 PM

Not sure if this is the right place for this post, however, I need to purchase a roof rack for my bikes on my 328. I've heard that the factory rails whistle at about 20mph.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Billfitz · 11-03-2017, 02:15 PM

All rails whistle, including those with an aerodynamic shape, though at speeds above 40, not 20.

Rolling · 11-03-2017, 02:15 PM

I have the bmw rails on my F31 (w/ panoramic sunroof which might play into this). I also have thule rails for years that I sometimes have on another car (F10). If I'm not listening to any music (never) I can hear them - both. I wouldn't say one is worse than the other. However, the rails are nothing compared to any mount or even worse, the bike on top. That said, I never have just the rails on there. It takes about 2 minutes to put them on and off. I'm not sure why I'd leave them on unless maybe I'm dropping my bike off somewhere and then drive home??

I'm thinking of a trailer hitch mounted rack for a bit more flexibility (bikes, kayak & cargo box)and always liked those better. That's another topic though.

veloella22 · 11-03-2017, 02:39 PM

I would strongly consider a hitch mount solution for your bicycles. I have one on my F31 and will never go back to a roof rack system. It is far cleaner, wind noise is a non-issue and I can quickly remove it when I'm not using it. FWIW, I use a Kuat NV rack. It works well with my rode bikes, and 29er mtb bikes.

CoopersF15 · 11-03-2017, 03:36 PM

I have the factory carrying rails on an F31 and there is more of a light hiss than whistle at speed, and I sometimes drive with no music on for some peace and quiet. I have the pano roof - with the cover slid forward there is next to no sound, with it in the retracted position it is much more pronounced hissing.

With a bike on the roof it howls like a fking banshee and annoys the hell out of me, even with music - so I'm regretting a roof bike rack it for that reason. I should have got a Hitch rack.

I got it for ski/snowboard transportation primarily and haven't had skis in it yet so can't tell you what that sounds like.

Raypep · 11-05-2017, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoopersF15

I have the factory carrying rails on an F31 and there is more of a light hiss than whistle at speed, and I sometimes drive with no music on for some peace and quiet. I have the pano roof - with the cover slid forward there is next to no sound, with it in the retracted position it is much more pronounced hissing.

With a bike on the roof it howls like a fking banshee and annoys the hell out of me, even with music - so I'm regretting a roof bike rack it for that reason. I should have got a Hitch rack.

I got it for ski/snowboard transportation primarily and haven't had skis in it yet so can't tell you what that sounds like.

That's my concern as well. My hope is that with music I wouldn't be able to hear it.

What bike rack do you have then? Thule? How is your bike mounted? Fork?

Danddd · 11-06-2017, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veloella22

I would strongly consider a hitch mount solution for your bicycles. I have one on my F31 and will never go back to a roof rack system. It is far cleaner, wind noise is a non-issue and I can quickly remove it when I'm not using it. FWIW, I use a Kuat NV rack. It works well with my rode bikes, and 29er mtb bikes.

I would agree here. I use an Invisi-Hitch on my F31. Just took it out today for the season.

CoopersF15 · 11-06-2017, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raypep

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoopersF15

I have the factory carrying rails on an F31 and there is more of a light hiss than whistle at speed, and I sometimes drive with no music on for some peace and quiet. I have the pano roof - with the cover slid forward there is next to no sound, with it in the retracted position it is much more pronounced hissing.

With a bike on the roof it howls like a fking banshee and annoys the hell out of me, even with music - so I'm regretting a roof bike rack it for that reason. I should have got a Hitch rack.

I got it for ski/snowboard transportation primarily and haven't had skis in it yet so can't tell you what that sounds like.

That's my concern as well. My hope is that with music I wouldn't be able to hear it.

What bike rack do you have then? Thule? How is your bike mounted? Fork?

Yakima front loader that allows you to load the bike with wheels on.

The overall height is quite a worry if I forget the bike is there, for example when going under low hanging things like overgrown trees or if I happen to go into a garage structure - but I have a cannondale lefty and I couldn't find a fork mount to suit the lefty hub so just have to be cautious! Fork mount should reduce cross sectional area but I doubt it would really reduce wind noise too much.

zamboni · 11-07-2017, 12:19 PM

I prepfer the Whispbar over OEM version.

http://www.whispbar.com/

raquettelaker2 · 11-07-2017, 12:35 PM

I'd recommend the OEM bars with a Thule fairing. I believe the BMW bars are Thule extrusions so their accessories pair nicely.

Gabreigns · 11-07-2017, 01:02 PM

For my F31 I? have the invisihitch for the bike rack, seadoo towing and also have the factory roof bars for Christmas tree hauling, tires and wheel sets on a plank etc. I? have no problem with whistling but there is wind noise. I? close the panoramic roof cover to shut that noise off and it helps.

11-03-2017, 01:55 PM	#1
Raypep Private 7 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2019 Porsche Macan S Join Date: May 2017 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Roof Rack on 328xi Not sure if this is the right place for this post, however, I need to purchase a roof rack for my bikes on my 328. I've heard that the factory rails whistle at about 20mph. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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11-03-2017, 02:15 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8255 Rep 16,099 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	All rails whistle, including those with an aerodynamic shape, though at speeds above 40, not 20.
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11-03-2017, 02:15 PM	#3
Rolling New Member 20 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2017 640i GC, 2013 535i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	I have the bmw rails on my F31 (w/ panoramic sunroof which might play into this). I also have thule rails for years that I sometimes have on another car (F10). If I'm not listening to any music (never) I can hear them - both. I wouldn't say one is worse than the other. However, the rails are nothing compared to any mount or even worse, the bike on top. That said, I never have just the rails on there. It takes about 2 minutes to put them on and off. I'm not sure why I'd leave them on unless maybe I'm dropping my bike off somewhere and then drive home?? I'm thinking of a trailer hitch mounted rack for a bit more flexibility (bikes, kayak & cargo box)and always liked those better. That's another topic though.
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11-03-2017, 02:39 PM	#4
veloella22 Enlisted Member 11 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah iTrader: (0)	Bicycle Rack I would strongly consider a hitch mount solution for your bicycles. I have one on my F31 and will never go back to a roof rack system. It is far cleaner, wind noise is a non-issue and I can quickly remove it when I'm not using it. FWIW, I use a Kuat NV rack. It works well with my rode bikes, and 29er mtb bikes.
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11-03-2017, 03:36 PM	#5
CoopersF15 Second Lieutenant 95 Rep 274 Posts Drives: F15 Xdrive 40e Performance Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: . iTrader: (0)	I have the factory carrying rails on an F31 and there is more of a light hiss than whistle at speed, and I sometimes drive with no music on for some peace and quiet. I have the pano roof - with the cover slid forward there is next to no sound, with it in the retracted position it is much more pronounced hissing. With a bike on the roof it howls like a fking banshee and annoys the hell out of me, even with music - so I'm regretting a roof bike rack it for that reason. I should have got a Hitch rack. I got it for ski/snowboard transportation primarily and haven't had skis in it yet so can't tell you what that sounds like. __________________ 2017 F15 40i ePerformance -M Sport
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11-07-2017, 12:19 PM	#9
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1132 Rep 5,558 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	I prepfer the Whispbar over OEM version. http://www.whispbar.com/ __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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11-07-2017, 12:35 PM	#10
raquettelaker2 Private 31 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2014 328i xDrive M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	I'd recommend the OEM bars with a Thule fairing. I believe the BMW bars are Thule extrusions so their accessories pair nicely. __________________ Current...2014 328i xDrive M-Sport Past.......2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo-X, 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero, 1994 Saab 900 Turbo Commemorative Edition, 2001 Saab 9-5 SE V6
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11-07-2017, 01:02 PM	#11
Gabreigns Major 494 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: F3x Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	For my F31 I? have the invisihitch for the bike rack, seadoo towing and also have the factory roof bars for Christmas tree hauling, tires and wheel sets on a plank etc. I? have no problem with whistling but there is wind noise. I? close the panoramic roof cover to shut that noise off and it helps.
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