the question -Roof Bars

Voyager · 08-07-2009, 11:53 PM

hi all - do you know if there are original mb roof bars i can buy for my 2001 avantgarde estate ? and where i can get them from ?

i prefer the mb option as they will be the right length - the thurle ones suit all and therfore part of the bar overhangs the roof - looks untidy . thanks all

Pontoneer · 09-07-2009, 01:59 AM

Last time I looked , MB bars were Thule ones .

You can purchase Thule rails in a variety of lengths , and can even cut to length if your car is a different width from front to back .

I bought my Thule bars back when I ran a W123 estate , also used them with my W124 estates , bought a different foot pack to use with my W201's and finally bought longer rails to use on my W126 ( the 'gutterless' feet meant for the W201 work fine despite the car having gutters ) . My Thule accessories have served me well over 15+ years and numerous vehicles .

x332race · 09-07-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pontoneer

Last time I looked , MB bars were Thule ones .

You can purchase Thule rails in a variety of lengths , and can even cut to length if your car is a different width from front to back .

I bought my Thule bars back when I ran a W123 estate , also used them with my W124 estates , bought a different foot pack to use with my W201's and finally bought longer rails to use on my W126 ( the 'gutterless' feet meant for the W201 work fine despite the car having gutters ) . My Thule accessories have served me well over 15+ years and numerous vehicles .

Most manufacturers seem to use the Thule ones....mine are Thule although have Nissan on them!!! Fit perfectly onto my W203 estate (I only use them very occasionally) and also a number of previous estates (funnily enough I have never owned a Nissan though...got the bars cheap off eBay)

Spinal · 09-07-2009, 08:24 AM

Have a look here:
Thule UK - Find out the Thule part numbers you need for your car!

Find your car and write down the numbers for the parts you need. Then, search ebay for those parts

They will be intercompatible with other cars as well, which means you will have a larger range of "suppliers".

M.

ROBB · 09-07-2009, 08:57 AM

i would go for the Thule ones. (i did) great quality from the foremost manufacturer of such items. i use mine regularly for 3/4 bikes on top; they even stay there at 90+mph.

why pay more for a star on??

BTB 500 · 09-07-2009, 12:32 PM

As above, Thule make many OEM bars and are top quality.

dchester · 09-07-2009, 01:19 PM

Sorry to semi hijack the thread but does the same hold true for roofboxes, are thule the best bet on these too?

regards

D.

Stratman · 09-07-2009, 04:24 PM

I bought the MB roofbars for my W202 estate which now fit my W203 perfectly. They are aluminium 'Aerobars', which have an inverted T-channel in them, for quick fitting of suitable attachments. They cost me less than £100 from a MB dealer, who actually sold me the locking version at the non-locking price as they didn't have the cheaper one in stock!
They were a few (and I mean a few) pounds more than the Halfords/Thule Heath Robinson affairs but in my opinion are worth every penny. They look like they were made for the car, which of course they were, especially when compared to Halfords "use bars 147/9 with adaptor 42/XF/31 and fitting kit 22/45/L" offering, which ends up looking like a small child's Sticklebricks construction. They are also quiet at speed.

BTB 500 · 09-07-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stratman

I bought the MB roofbars for my W202 estate which now fit my W203 perfectly. They are aluminium 'Aerobars', which have an inverted T-channel in them, for quick fitting of suitable attachments.

Think you will find those are made by Thule.

Stratman · 09-07-2009, 05:09 PM

Don't know who makes these:-

BTB 500 · 09-07-2009, 07:58 PM

One thing's for sure - it won't be M-B themselves. I would still guess Thule.

ShinyF1 · 09-07-2009, 08:36 PM

Recently bought Thule aero and 4 bike carriers - very pleased

ROBB · 10-07-2009, 11:38 AM

my last thule 961 bike rack was only £60 delivered from Thule Roof Bars, Roof Boxes, Cycle Carrier, Snow Chains, Roof Rack, Bike Carrier, Thule Roof Box : Fasteronline- might be worth a try

as for the roof boxes - not sure if thule are the best (wouldnt be surprised). The only time i used a roof box (not thule) it was rented from HSS (£35/week

) but it nearly came open on the motorway

needless to say - ratchet straps stayed in attendance ever since

dchester · 10-07-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBB

as for the roof boxes - not sure if thule are the best (wouldnt be surprised). The only time i used a roof box (not thule) it was rented from HSS (£35/week

) but it nearly came open on the motorway

needless to say - ratchet straps stayed in attendance ever since

Cheers, will remember that one. Just wish roof boxes weren't so expensive

.

D.

08-07-2009, 11:53 PM	#1
Voyager Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 47	the question -Roof Bars hi all - do you know if there are original mb roof bars i can buy for my 2001 avantgarde estate ? and where i can get them from ? i prefer the mb option as they will be the right length - the thurle ones suit all and therfore part of the bar overhangs the roof - looks untidy . thanks all

09-07-2009, 01:59 AM	#2
Pontoneer Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ayrshire Car: '57 219 W105 ,'84 280SE W126 ,'86 500SEL W126 Posts: 3,402	Last time I looked , MB bars were Thule ones . You can purchase Thule rails in a variety of lengths , and can even cut to length if your car is a different width from front to back . I bought my Thule bars back when I ran a W123 estate , also used them with my W124 estates , bought a different foot pack to use with my W201's and finally bought longer rails to use on my W126 ( the 'gutterless' feet meant for the W201 work fine despite the car having gutters ) . My Thule accessories have served me well over 15+ years and numerous vehicles . __________________ Derek " In a Mercedes-Benz , EVERY seat is First Class "

09-07-2009, 08:24 AM	#4
Spinal Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Uxbridge Car: W202, Z3, Voyager, Shogun, 750ss, and a few more Posts: 3,219	Have a look here: Thule UK - Find out the Thule part numbers you need for your car! Find your car and write down the numbers for the parts you need. Then, search ebay for those parts They will be intercompatible with other cars as well, which means you will have a larger range of "suppliers". M.

09-07-2009, 08:57 AM	#5
ROBB Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Coventry Car: 2001 W203 C220 CDI Estate (Rare Manual!) Posts: 328	i would go for the Thule ones. (i did) great quality from the foremost manufacturer of such items. i use mine regularly for 3/4 bikes on top; they even stay there at 90+mph. why pay more for a star on??

09-07-2009, 12:32 PM	#6
BTB 500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berks Car: '97 R129 SL500, '07 Vito 120 Dualiner Long, '96 Audi A4 TDi 110 SE Avant Posts: 10,151	As above, Thule make many OEM bars and are top quality.

09-07-2009, 01:19 PM	#7
dchester Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 139	Sorry to semi hijack the thread but does the same hold true for roofboxes, are thule the best bet on these too? regards D.

09-07-2009, 04:24 PM	#8
Stratman Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunbury Car: W202 C180 Estate RIP W203 C200 CDI Estate Posts: 1,281	I bought the MB roofbars for my W202 estate which now fit my W203 perfectly. They are aluminium 'Aerobars', which have an inverted T-channel in them, for quick fitting of suitable attachments. They cost me less than £100 from a MB dealer, who actually sold me the locking version at the non-locking price as they didn't have the cheaper one in stock! They were a few (and I mean a few) pounds more than the Halfords/Thule Heath Robinson affairs but in my opinion are worth every penny. They look like they were made for the car, which of course they were, especially when compared to Halfords "use bars 147/9 with adaptor 42/XF/31 and fitting kit 22/45/L" offering, which ends up looking like a small child's Sticklebricks construction. They are also quiet at speed.

09-07-2009, 07:58 PM	#11
BTB 500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berks Car: '97 R129 SL500, '07 Vito 120 Dualiner Long, '96 Audi A4 TDi 110 SE Avant Posts: 10,151	One thing's for sure - it won't be M-B themselves. I would still guess Thule.

09-07-2009, 08:36 PM	#12
ShinyF1 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SW London Car: W210 2000 E320 CDI Avantgarde Estate, 98k miles, one rusty wheelarch Posts: 543	Recently bought Thule aero and 4 bike carriers - very pleased

10-07-2009, 11:38 AM	#13
ROBB Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Coventry Car: 2001 W203 C220 CDI Estate (Rare Manual!) Posts: 328	my last thule 961 bike rack was only £60 delivered from Thule Roof Bars, Roof Boxes, Cycle Carrier, Snow Chains, Roof Rack, Bike Carrier, Thule Roof Box : Fasteronline- might be worth a try as for the roof boxes - not sure if thule are the best (wouldnt be surprised). The only time i used a roof box (not thule) it was rented from HSS (£35/week ) but it nearly came open on the motorway needless to say - ratchet straps stayed in attendance ever since

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