BMW
X7 and XM
forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW X7 (G07) Forums General BMW X7 Forum BMW Cross Bars + Thule Motion XT XXL

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-09-2019, 09:14 AM   #1
ppagiga
Major
657
Rep
1,207
Posts

Drives: car
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: MARS

iTrader: (0)

BMW Cross Bars + Thule Motion XT XXL

These are the x7 crossbars i bought from Getmybmwparts.com

plus a Thule motion XT XXL.

have yet to clamp the box on to the bars but fit looks good. won't go over the windshield, wont interfere with tailgate or antennae

Name:  IMG_2350.jpg
Views: 27847
Size:  439.8 KB

Name:  Screen Shot 2019-04-09 at 10.17.59 AM.png
Views: 15172
Size:  1.38 MB
Appreciate 4
Wild Blue3676.50
PIPE_DR354.50
vink92.00
      04-09-2019, 09:29 AM   #2
JFU
Lieutenant
United_States
134
Rep
475
Posts

Drives: X7
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppagiga View Post
These are the x7 crossbars i bought from Getmybmwparts.com

plus a Thule motion XT XXL.

have yet to clamp the box on to the bars but fit looks good. won't go over the windshield, wont interfere with tailgate or antennae

Attachment 2027404

Attachment 2027405
Looking good! I will likely do a similar setup, especially for ski trips and what not.
__________________
2014 A207 E550 Vert
2018 F60 Countryman S All4
2019 G07 X7 40i
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 09:35 AM   #3
ppagiga
Major
657
Rep
1,207
Posts

Drives: car
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: MARS

iTrader: (0)

i dont know a ton about cargo boxes but i think i'll need to slide it forward a couple inches so that the cargo bars line up closer to the center of the underside carve out. (see blue arrows)

Name:  Screen Shot 2019-04-09 at 10.33.47 AM.png
Views: 7751
Size:  76.9 KB
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 10:16 AM   #4
masmole
Captain
263
Rep
770
Posts

Drives: blue, gray, brown cars
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

Perfect!

Funny how an XXL sized Thule box can look small-ish on the X7
__________________
2021 A6 Allroad, 2020 SQ7, 2019 M5 Comp, 2011 GT3
past: A4, S4, X5 4.8is, SLK55, E60 M5, RS4, ML63, E92 M3, Q5, Touareg TDI, Escalade, SQ5, RS7, Velar FE, Q7
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 11:14 AM   #5
JFU
Lieutenant
United_States
134
Rep
475
Posts

Drives: X7
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppagiga View Post
i dont know a ton about cargo boxes but i think i'll need to slide it forward a couple inches so that the cargo bars line up closer to the center of the underside carve out. (see blue arrows)

Attachment 2027420
Yes, that would be better. You might even push the bars a bit outwards from center to decrease the overhang of the 2 ends of the box. The great thing is that it looks like there's so much roof rail real-estate that you can make any length box work without interfering with tailgates etc.
__________________
2014 A207 E550 Vert
2018 F60 Countryman S All4
2019 G07 X7 40i
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 11:17 AM   #6
ppagiga
Major
657
Rep
1,207
Posts

Drives: car
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: MARS

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JFU View Post
Yes, that would be better. You might even push the bars a bit outwards from center to decrease the overhang of the 2 ends of the box. The great thing is that it looks like there's so much roof rail real-estate that you can make any length box work without interfering with tailgates etc.
the bmw cargo bars have a predefined installation point, regardless of what you put on top of em.
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 11:22 AM   #7
Wild Blue
Brigadier General
Wild Blue's Avatar
United_States
3677
Rep
3,479
Posts

Drives: 2021 X7 M50i, 2004 330i w/ZHP
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Alaska

iTrader: (0)

Looks great. If you're going to transport 6/7 people and a bunch of gear, looks like an awesome solution.
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 01:12 PM   #8
toddwalton
Lieutenant Colonel
toddwalton's Avatar
1239
Rep
1,583
Posts

Drives: 2019 X7 - 2024 G26
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)



Nice setup!

Can you confirm that the bars are two different lengths? I’m nervous about the set I purchased prior to taking delivery of the car. About 1.5”, yes? Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 02:06 PM   #9
ppagiga
Major
657
Rep
1,207
Posts

Drives: car
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: MARS

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by toddwalton View Post


Nice setup!

Can you confirm that the bars are two different lengths? I’m nervous about the set I purchased prior to taking delivery of the car. About 1.5”, yes? Thanks!
Mine have a difference in length too but not sure if 1.5”. I think you and I bought from same place so you should be fine. Critical thing is you find the notches under the roof rail that show where they go
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 03:02 PM   #10
JFU
Lieutenant
United_States
134
Rep
475
Posts

Drives: X7
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppagiga View Post
the bmw cargo bars have a predefined installation point, regardless of what you put on top of em.
Ah that's right. I recall seeing pictures that the bars are different lengths - which would imply that there's only 1 place to place them. Good to know. I might want to wait until Yakima or Thule officially endorses a kit. Yakima already kind of does.
__________________
2014 A207 E550 Vert
2018 F60 Countryman S All4
2019 G07 X7 40i
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 09:59 PM   #11
toddwalton
Lieutenant Colonel
toddwalton's Avatar
1239
Rep
1,583
Posts

Drives: 2019 X7 - 2024 G26
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppagiga View Post
Mine have a difference in length too but not sure if 1.5”. I think you and I bought from same place so you should be fine. Critical thing is you find the notches under the roof rail that show where they go
Not sure what you mean by that.

For my X5 using the BMW bars that are identical in construction and function as these X7 bars, one can actually place the two bars any reasonable distance apart to fit any number of cargo boxes. The X5's bars came with handy decals that you could put in the door jambs to remind yourself where to place them the next time.

Are you saying there are specific notches that space the front/rear bars apart (that would be something new) or are you saying that there is a long notch that runs the length of the left/right roof rails that the cross bars snap and lock into (same function as X5)?
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2019, 10:59 PM   #12
FreddyBMW
Lieutenant
FreddyBMW's Avatar
95
Rep
430
Posts

Drives: 2019 X7 40i iSTEP 07/2020.54
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: TX, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppagiga View Post
These are the x7 crossbars i bought from Getmybmwparts.com

plus a Thule motion XT XXL.

have yet to clamp the box on to the bars but fit looks good. won't go over the windshield, wont interfere with tailgate or antennae

Attachment 2027404

Attachment 2027405
Looks great! The only concern I have is to BUMP the box when entering into my Garage. It would even hit the garage door when just the rods are on!
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2019, 04:49 AM   #13
ppagiga
Major
657
Rep
1,207
Posts

Drives: car
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: MARS

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by toddwalton View Post
Not sure what you mean by that.

For my X5 using the BMW bars that are identical in construction and function as these X7 bars, one can actually place the two bars any reasonable distance apart to fit any number of cargo boxes. The X5's bars came with handy decals that you could put in the door jambs to remind yourself where to place them the next time.

Are you saying there are specific notches that space the front/rear bars apart (that would be something new) or are you saying that there is a long notch that runs the length of the left/right roof rails that the cross bars snap and lock into (same function as X5)?
“Are you saying there are specific notches that space the front/rear bars apart (that would be something new)”

Yes, check out the instructions. You’ll see mention of this there too. About 29.5” apart. And make sure you open up each foot to see where it goes. You need to identify the front bar from the rear bar AND the driver’s side from the passenger side. Label inside foot will say something like FL (front left) for example

Last edited by ppagiga; 04-10-2019 at 05:54 AM..
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2019, 09:17 AM   #14
toddwalton
Lieutenant Colonel
toddwalton's Avatar
1239
Rep
1,583
Posts

Drives: 2019 X7 - 2024 G26
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppagiga View Post
“Are you saying there are specific notches that space the front/rear bars apart (that would be something new)”

Yes, check out the instructions. You’ll see mention of this there too. About 29.5” apart. And make sure you open up each foot to see where it goes. You need to identify the front bar from the rear bar AND the driver’s side from the passenger side. Label inside foot will say something like FL (front left) for example




Interesting. This may complicate my install of my existing X5's Thule. Fingers crossed.
Appreciate 0
      12-13-2019, 02:57 PM   #15
X7User1
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: BMW X7M50i and BMW 550Xi
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

Has anybody successfully used the railing carrier with a Thule Motion XT? Does the fixed position of the rails make it incompatible? Thanks.
Appreciate 0
      12-13-2019, 03:05 PM   #16
ppagiga
Major
657
Rep
1,207
Posts

Drives: car
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: MARS

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by X7User1 View Post
Has anybody successfully used the railing carrier with a Thule Motion XT? Does the fixed position of the rails make it incompatible? Thanks.
Yes see above
Appreciate 0
      12-13-2019, 05:26 PM   #17
vink
Second Lieutenant
92
Rep
281
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW M5C, 2020 BMW X7 M50i
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: North East

iTrader: (0)

Is there any noticeable wind noise or drag felt at cruising speeds? I like the setup but I'll have to dismount it immediately after each trip bcos of office parking lots and garage.
I've been thinking about rooftop and hitch mounted rack.
Appreciate 0
      12-13-2019, 09:07 PM   #18
toddwalton
Lieutenant Colonel
toddwalton's Avatar
1239
Rep
1,583
Posts

Drives: 2019 X7 - 2024 G26
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by vink View Post
Is there any noticeable wind noise or drag felt at cruising speeds? I like the setup but I'll have to dismount it immediately after each trip bcos of office parking lots and garage.
I've been thinking about rooftop and hitch mounted rack.
The X7 has double-pane glass, it's amazingly quiet. I've got about 2,000 miles with the BMW cross bars with/without the Cargo Box and I don't hear any wind noise at all.

Same for drag, that's not an issue with a car of this size.
Appreciate 0
      12-13-2019, 09:52 PM   #19
toddwalton
Lieutenant Colonel
toddwalton's Avatar
1239
Rep
1,583
Posts

Drives: 2019 X7 - 2024 G26
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by X7User1 View Post
Has anybody successfully used the railing carrier with a Thule Motion XT? Does the fixed position of the rails make it incompatible? Thanks.
Thule is compatible. There is fore/aft play in the connectivity, and one could always move the crossbars a bit too, but none of that will be necessary.

The bigger question is what size do you need. Keep in mind that these things are rather large and cumbersome to store and put up on the roof, so an L or XL might be best.
Appreciate 1
Brukes90.00
      12-14-2019, 08:23 AM   #20
Brukes
Private First Class
United_States
90
Rep
130
Posts

Drives: 2015 328ix / 2020 X7 40i
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by vink View Post
Is there any noticeable wind noise or drag felt at cruising speeds? I like the setup but I'll have to dismount it immediately after each trip bcos of office parking lots and garage.
I've been thinking about rooftop and hitch mounted rack.
If you're worried about height, I've got the Yakima Railbars on mine which are flush with the side rails. They work well with limited noise. The only challenge is if you - like me - have the M-Sport with black side bars, for whatever reason the black railbars were on back order and it took me a while to find them.

Should be compatible with Thule boxes (though I have the Yakima Showcase 20).
Appreciate 0
      12-26-2019, 08:59 PM   #21
unfoundnemo
Colonel
unfoundnemo's Avatar
1902
Rep
2,004
Posts

Drives: 2022 i4 M50
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 BMW i4 M50  [0.00]
2022 BMW X7  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddwalton View Post
The X7 has double-pane glass, it's amazingly quiet. I've got about 2,000 miles with the BMW cross bars with/without the Cargo Box and I don't hear any wind noise at all.

Same for drag, that's not an issue with a car of this size.
Maybe I'm just super-sensitive to wind noise, but it's definitely there. For reference, I have the BMW crossbars and a Thile Motion XT XXL box.

Without the cargo box it is less frequent, but I'll get a high pitched whistling on occasion at speeds upwards of 55 MPH and a slight cross cross wind.

With the box on, especially when empty, the more typical wind noise is very apparent above 60MPH. Its certainly not as bad as other cars or boxes but its definitely there. Below 45 or so and there's nothing, so that's good, the high pitched whistling also goes away with the box on, I think it's something with the rubber inserts in the middle of the bar not having pressure on them, maybe that will fix itself over time, but I dont think I'll ride around with just the bars on anyway, they certainly come off easy enough.

Last edited by unfoundnemo; 10-24-2020 at 06:54 AM..
Appreciate 0
      12-28-2019, 06:56 AM   #22
ppagiga
Major
657
Rep
1,207
Posts

Drives: car
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: MARS

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by unfoundnemo View Post
Maybe I'm just super-sensitive to wind noise, but it's definitely there. For reference, I have the BMW crossbars and a Thile Motion XT Large box.

Without the cargo box it is less frequent, but I'll get a high pitched whistling on occasion at speeds upwards of 55 MPH and a slight cross cross wind.

With the box on, especially when empty, the more typical wind noise is very apparent above 60MPH. Its certainly not as bad as other cars or boxes but its definitely there. Below 45 or so and there's nothing, so that's good, the high pitched whistling also goes away with the box on, I think it's something with the rubber inserts in the middle of the bar not having pressure on them, maybe that will fix itself over time, but I dont think I'll ride around with just the bars on anyway, they certainly come off easy enough.
My experience is same. Without box, silent vehicle. With it, there is some noticeable noise but I can live with it. I've always got the radio on, and three kids yapping, so it gets drowned out. Plus, if you close the sun shade for the panorama roof that insulates the noise a shade.

Other thing to keep in mind is to try to keep it at 80mph or less, other than that, biggest adjustment for me is the height. Few parking garages can accommodate this set up, unfortunately, and need to be constantly mindful of clearance when you have a big box on top like this one in XXL capacity
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:06 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST