HELP! - Want to purchase a 650i but am stuck with boring stuff

Hi All,

A virgin to Bimmerfest. Fallen in love with the 08- E63 650i. Basically going all the way to Germany tomorrow to view one, however I snowboard and cycle. Does anyone know if there is a roof-rack / carrier system that can fit the 6 series? Even somewhere that custom makes at all. I'm desperate for this car and they are a rarity in Czech, hence why I am going to Germany. BUt cannot justify getting a car that I cannot get to the mountains in!

Any ideas would be unbelievably appreciated guys!!

I know for fact that there are some rack systems for our cars. Specifically for cycles, no idea - but I have seen at least 2 different types that could fit the 6 - and if memory serves me, I believe they were universals that COULD fit, not made for the 6. One of the members here in FL has his surfboard mounted, but it is strapped on (NWS Alpine - and you can see it here: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ferrerid=98024). Perhaps he will chime in.

As far as snowboards go, an e63 with the cold weather pkg will have a ski-pass from the trunk wall into the cabin (within a bag too), and it BARELY fits 1 or 2 boards diagonally in the opening. It is truly made for skis - and depending on the width of your board, you might be ok with the stock version. If not, you can always customize that without too much difficulty, I have seen it done many times.

Thanks Hossy.

I am struggling to find a 650i with the cold weather package. I have sourced one however the lady told me in broken english that there is no skibag. Except it does have the heated seats! So therefore I would have thought it has the ski bag as well? No pictures though and its a 5 hours drive from me so a bit crazy to just drive there to take a look!

Do you happen to know how where to source a universal rack? Or how it attaches?

Your help is very much appreciated as I am tearing my hair out and although am thinking of just heading down the 335i or m3 route I am loath to as the 650i is just much better looking!

Thanks for your help - here is the one I am into:

http://ecom.bmw.de/ecom32gahp/DE-GAH...p?process=uvse

should probably explain that I am not that bothered about the cycle, I could get a boot rack. Its the snowboard that bothers me!

Link didn't work - but if you can, get the VIN, and talk to any BMW dealer. They can run the VIN and tell you everything it has, cold weather pkg included.

Heated seats does not necessarily mean it has the cold weather pkg. BMW offered heated seats as a separate option, independent of the cold weather pkg. Either way, if it has the ski pass, when the trunk is open you will see a black plastic rectangle with a tab on the top left on the cabin wall of the trunk. Like so:




I can't seem to find where I saw the universal rack - I looked for myself about a year ago, but ended up just buying a second car to handle anything I want instead of using the 6.

I just found a couple links through cached searches, but they are both incorrect.

This one: http://kellybmw.oemdealer.com/6-seri...1402_26533.php is just plain wrong. These require the base BMW roof rack system, which is not offered for the 6.

The other ones I saw were actually for the e24 6 series!

I think you would have to use one that is either 1) strap based or 2) custom for your car.

Or.....

I could retrofit a Ski Bag. Is there anyone out there who has done it?

Any pros and cons (well mainly concerned about the cons!)

Thanks for your help Hossy.

I was checking around on the BMW website (shopbmwusa.com) looking at accessories. Interestingly, it showed that the roof boxes, and the ski and snowboard racks are available for 2006 and 2007 650 coupes, if they have roof rails (the base support system). I'm guessing that means that the roof rails might have been an option on coupes for those two years, but not any other years. Might be worth a call to BMW to see if you can put the roof rails (and a rack) on coupes from those years, even though you are looking at 2008 models, if this is real important to your purchase.

I had a problem getting roof bars for my 2004 645 ci. BMW and Thule don't have one. In the end, I found that my old Thule bar rack from my 2002 Jag XJ8 was able to fit with a very minor alteration. I had to trim the clamps to the rear bar to ensure that they didn't press onto the rear windows when tightened, and just bent the brackets a very small amount to allow them to follow the contour of the roof as it tapers in at the rear. When fitting the front bars, ensure that the clamps are tight ti the gutter to ensure the front windows do not catch. Works a treat for carrying my fishing rods.