Roof Rails v. no Roof Rails

I have a 2012 X3 without roof rails (side rail bars). I like it, however it looks kind of... bald?

Here's a picture of it:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zdjlwxid4j...IMG_5453-2.jpg

I was thinking about investing in and installing the roof rails that seem to come pretty standard with these models. However, when I went to the parts store at my local dealer it would cost upwards of $1000.00 to get rails.

I can see a few hundred max, but. Essentially each rail is 250, plus tax, plus labor to install... ugh.

The problem with BMW is that you need to order perfectly the first time around because there's not really much you can do after you get it, unless you want to pay multiple times the original cost...

Originally Posted by bloggins

I have a 2012 X3 without roof rails (side rail bars). I like it, however it looks kind of... bald?

Here's a picture of it:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zdjlwxid4j...IMG_5453-2.jpg

I was thinking about investing in and installing the roof rails that seem to come pretty standard with these models. However, when I went to the parts store at my local dealer it would cost upwards of $1000.00 to get rails.

I can see a few hundred max, but. Essentially each rail is 250, plus tax, plus labor to install... ugh.

The problem with BMW is that you need to order perfectly the first time around because there's not really much you can do after you get it, unless you want to pay multiple times the original cost...

The real problem is that there are little to no after market vendors so no competition and BMW can charge anything they want. Sorry! Think of the folks that want to change to Xenons....spit outta luck.

Wow...I didn't know that no roof rails was an option. I actually like to look without the rails

I would only consider adding roof rails if you intended to use them. to add them for appearance
sake is foolish.

Your car is more unique without them.

jummo

Originally Posted by jummo

I would only consider adding roof rails if you intended to use them. to add them for appearance
sake is foolish.

Your car is more unique without them.

jummo

I agree with you. I use my X3 as a fun driving machine and don't like to add stuff on top and make it top heavy and less stable. I didn't go for roof rails. I don't have big family and I don't need extra room for luggage. No doubt satin roof rails go well with some colors

I think the biggest issue with getting them put in is that you have to remove the headliner to install them, which is quite a lot of labor. I would be worried about the dealer's workmanship removing and reinstalling the headliner.

If I were you, I would keep them off. Too much cost and risk.

I totally understand the concern. I went back and forth for weeks and almost changed my order.

I think the roof rails depend on the color of your X3. They look good if you have the window trim to match the aluminum. I saw a black x3 the other day that looked fantastic. But if you don't have the window trim the roof rails look like a weird add on. If I could have gotten them in black (without the sport package) I would have gotten them in black. I polled family and friends and everyone pretty much agreed that the aluminum rails looked odd on the space gray. I'm glad I didn't' get them. And I would never use them. You pay a premium for the roof rails but then have to buy a kit for the crossbars.

It definitely depends on the color of your X3. I agree that I think the aluminum would look weird on Space Gray, but I looove the aluminum on my Deep Sea Blue.

I think the aluminum would look good on black, I like contrast like that. I think black rails would blend in too much.

I don't see the point of roof rails unless you need them as well..........

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

I don't see the point of roof rails unless you need them as well..........

Aesthetics?

Plus what if in a few years you need a roof rack for something? If you don't have rails you're SOL.

I opted for the satin roof rails on my BMW X3 Sparkling Bronze when I ordered the vehicle
and glad I did as the color contrast looks good and the roof rails and subsequent attachments are useful if you are into water sports and need to carry kayaks, windsurfers etc...

Originally Posted by Vortec4800

Aesthetics?

Plus what if in a few years you need a roof rack for something? If you don't have rails you're SOL.

I have never needed the roof rails except for the one time I carried a mattress on the roof, and with something that soft I think I could have tied it on even without a roof rack.

I recently rented a surfboard, but for the roof rack to be helpful I could have needed cross-bars, which I don't have. And aesthetics are generally not a reason to choose one option over another, but that's strictly my opinion.

Roof rails as an option is relatively inexpensive, but the crossbars, ski holders, bike racks added afterwards can raise the costs dramatically.

Personally, the satin silver looks amazing with our Carbon Black car. We plan to keep the vehicle for a long time and adding them afterwards through the dealer will be very expensive.

Interesting. I've never seen an x3 without roof rails until now. It makes the X3 look like a jacked-up station wagon. I suppose it is after all...

Originally Posted by Vortec4800

Aesthetics?

Plus what if in a few years you need a roof rack for something? If you don't have rails you're SOL.

And c'mon now - isn't this like a $200 or $250 option? We're not talking about an expensive option. It reminds me of BMW Apps. So many ppl said "well, I'll never want that" - but you know if you ever did want it later, you're going to get screwed.

Interesting this is that I have the Deep Sea Blue and everyone that I've spoken to said that it would look strange without it - as if something was missing.

thanks everyone for your opinion and for taking the poll

it seems like if I were to get roof rails, I should get black. but then everything on my car is just black. maybe I should get it "murdered out"?

@ellen4488 - you didn't get roof rails? do you have a pic of your car?

here's another pic of my car sans rails:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5u4odxiqi4fol4a/IMG_5449.jpg