(No Hitch) Rear Mount Bike Rack Pic's

Here is some pic's for those who care. It only takes a minute to setup or remove this bike rack. I really like it except for the fact that it only holds 2 bikes. The 3rd bike option does not work. I hope BMW fixes this soon.

Rack part number 82 71 0 443 424

3rd bike option (does not work) 82 71 0 307 770

Great pics. Thanks.

A few more questions:

1. How solid does the rack feel with two bikes on it?
2. In your opinion, does this rack look like it's designed to be put on the car permanently? In other words, if it's not designed to be put on and then taken off repeatedly, could there be any damage if I do so, even though that's easily done in one minute?
3. Did you buy the rack from BMW through the dealership, and are you aware of any other potentially cheaper vendor that carries it? I searched for it online and was not too successful finding it other than at BMW.

I'm really considering this rack and had all these questions about it that I couldn't find answers to online, and surely not at my dealership, so I'm extremely glad I came across your postings about this rack.

Thanks again. I tremendously appreciate your help.

Nice and how much did you get it?

Also interested in picking up one of these racks. Any additional info would be appreciated, particularly on the frequent removal and install.

I just got this rack as a birthday gift from my wife. $499 + tax from the local BMW dealership. I will be trying it starting today and do NOT intend to have it on the car permanently, so I will post soon about the frequent install/remove issue after I've done that a few times. I did get me a 10 mm Hex bit with a ratchet for easier installation and removal. The provided Allen key is a bit of a pain to use.

Are you able to open the lower truck door with the rack on?

Originally Posted by BR328

Are you able to open the lower truck door with the rack on?

Yes.

Hi, I have a 2011 X5 on order, and I am looking into rear bicycle rack options.

I am also interested in knowing how easy it is to install and remove, i.e. for occasional weekend use, and if the installation process causes any damage or wear?

Any updates?

P.

I have one of these and it's less than a 5 minute job to put on or remove.

Does anyone know if this rack is the same for a 2008 and a 2011 X5? We have an 08 with 12 months left on the lease and will likely get a new X5 next year.

I just got this rack for my 2011 35d. It fits perfectly, its the same rack for the 2010 and 2011. Holds the bikes securely. There is a weight limit of 15kg (about 33lbs) per a bike, which should fit most mountain bikes.

I spent a lot of time looking at roof racks and determined the car was just too tall and i would hate the noise. I was certainly not cutting a hole in my bumper for a hitch.

I paid $425 with a 15% off coupon. Google BMW coupons, they are dealership specific.

CTank, where did you get your rack from, local BMW dealer? Do you see any potential damage/wear from frequent installation/removal?

I have not been using the rack enough to comment on frequent usage wear and tear, but i do not see any reason why there would be. It slides right into the towing eyelets w/o touching the bumper or any other exterior part of the car. I guess every time you take the rack in or out there is a chance to nick the bumper with the piece the screws into the eyelets if you are not careful. It is easy enough to do your self, but even simpler if someone helps you.

The only place i can imagine you would get wear is on the eyelet covers when removing them. I just used a screw driver covered with a soft cloth or a piece of latex from a rubber glove. This may seem like common sense, but i didn't realize; you insert the screw driver into the top part of the cap (not under the arrow on the bottom).

I got my rack in the port chester, ny area, but they had to order b/c it doesn't seem like any one stocks this item.

It a solid rack, everything locks on it... even the arms that attach to the frame have a locking mechanism so know one can walk off with your bike.

Originally Posted by ptr727

Hi, I have a 2011 X5 on order, and I am looking into rear bicycle rack options.

I am also interested in knowing how easy it is to install and remove, i.e. for occasional weekend use, and if the installation process causes any damage or wear?

Any updates?

P.

I'm happy to say that after a few months of use now, I find the rack to be almost flawless. Extremely easy to install and remove. Now that I'm used to doing it, it takes me about a minute. I do use a ratchet with a 10 mm Hex bit however (similar to pics in OP), not the provided Allen key.

I don't think frequent installation and removal should cause any damage if done properly. I pop the eye socket covers with my fingers (no need for any tool). The way to do that is to push inward on the bottom half of the cover first. That exposes the upper lip enough to be easily grabbed by a finger and pulled out. As mentioned previously, the only damage I could see occurring during installation or removal of the rack is by accidentally scratching the bumper.

In short, if you don't have a hitch and don't want to install one, and don't care for roof mounting of your bike, this rack is the solution. It is rock solid, lockable, easy to install and remove, and slides backward (even with bike/s mounted) to allow both upper and lower cargo bay area doors be opened. I say it is almost flawless and not just flawless because of the following issues (none of which is a deal breaker in my opinion):

1. Price. This is by no means a steal.
2. Weight. It is a relatively heavy rack which made installing it a bit challenging the first few times I did it. It is definitely not an issue for me anymore now that I got the hang of it. I can see, however, how this might be a problem for some people. Of course, getting someone to help you with it makes this a moot point.
3. The provided Allen key. While it works, it is not practical and it will take much longer to install and remove the rack if you use it. Just get a ratchet and a 10mm Hex bit from Sears and you're set.

Would be happy to answer any other questions about this rack.

great info. I will be looking to get one as well in the future. Like you said this is a perfect rack for someone who doesn't care about roof rack and don't want to install a hitch.

Marwan, thanks for the excellent review!

I am about to get the rack, just went outside trying to remove the covers... I push the bottom part inward as you mention, but it didnt bulge much. I am affraid to apply too much pressure as it might break the covers' tabs... Any more details suggestion/advice on removal of covers?

How do you store the rack when not in use? Is there way to hang it on garage's wall without having it to take too much space?

Thx

Originally Posted by ptr727

Hi, I have a 2011 X5 on order, and I am looking into rear bicycle rack options.

I am also interested in knowing how easy it is to install and remove, i.e. for occasional weekend use, and if the installation process causes any damage or wear?

Any updates?

P.

Hi- I am waiting for a X5 too and you cannot get a factory installed hitch. I called BMW
and have been told that they have to remove the bumper -as well as reprogram computer because of wiring module.

Does any one have any other options ?

PS-Dealer cost is around $1000.00-

I called BMW to say this should be an option when ordering-
I have an existing bike rack that fits a std 2 inch hitch.

Any body with any options -advise-thanks !

Originally Posted by alexmish

Marwan, thanks for the excellent review!

I am about to get the rack, just went outside trying to remove the covers... I push the bottom part inward as you mention, but it didnt bulge much. I am affraid to apply too much pressure as it might break the covers' tabs... Any more details suggestion/advice on removal of covers?

How do you store the rack when not in use? Is there way to hang it on garage's wall without having it to take too much space?

Thx

The first time I opened the covers, I had to use a small screw driver. After that, I could just push the bottom in and the top jutted out slightly, but enough for me to be able to pull it out. The top of the cover goes out no more than a millimeter or two, but that's all you need to pull the cover out, with no tools needed whatsoever (see pics).

As for storage, I hang the rack on the garage wall using a pair of these ladder hooks I got from Sears for $12:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G82

The rack stays flush to the wall. I can even store the ratchet with the rack on these hooks (see pics). The beauty of these hooks is that they are rated to carry 40 lbs per pair when installed in DRYWALL! The rack weighs 26 lbs. So you can pretty much install them anywhere on a wall in the garage. You don't even need to locate studs. If you do install them in studs, a pair can carry 70 lbs (overkill for this rack).

very nice. thanks! Aside from the steep price $500, looks like a nice solid rack.

Originally Posted by sunpole

very nice. thanks! Aside from the steep price $500, looks like a nice solid rack.

Try parts.com or getbmwparts.com

I hear it could be had for much less on either website.

does anybody know if this rack will fit on a 2005 x5?

Originally Posted by dlargest

does anybody know if this rack will fit on a 2005 x5?

How far apart are the towing eyelets on a 2005 X5? The rack screws that go into those eyelets are movable to adjust the distance between them, but it's only over a limited range. I'll check the manual to see what that range is.

I've been looking at the pictures in detail. Does the thing basically slide back and forwards for you to open the trunk? I've seen pictures where it seems to dangle away from the car, and others where it's tight against the rear of the car. Does that curved slider have grease, ball bearings, or just rubbing metal? (or am I just not reading these pics right )

Think i'll order this rack today from the dealer and am excited to finally hit the trails without having to lay a tarp in the cabin. Funny - i got an X5 thinking I could fit everything inside. But my bike won't fit vertically even with the front wheel taken off (to stand it up like the X3 inside bike holder).

Thanks!

Silly question but how well does this work with road bikes? All the pictures I've seen have mountain bikes in them... I've only used racks where you attach the front fork. Are road bikes secure even with the skinny tires?

I just picked one of these up today for my road bikes. Thing works really well... very easy to install. Seems very sturdy with two bikes on it. It slides forward to allow the tailgate to drop and open. Even with two bikes on it I was able to slide it easily. It went onto the 2011 X5 perfectly while they include a few adjustment pieces to modify the width of the rack. Let me know if anyone else has any questions... I can post pictures with bikes on it if you'd like.