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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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bicycle rack or fold down rear seats?
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01-22-2008, 05:18 AM | #2 |
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I would use a bicycle rack, wouldn't want to dirty up the interior. But get a good rack too and make sure you don't scratch or scuff your paint when you load the bike
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01-22-2008, 07:29 AM | #3 |
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Bike Racks
I have done both in the past year. It depends a bit on your frame size and what else you drag w/you. There is plenty of room to fit a frame as long as it is not excessively large. My frame fits fairly tight but works.
However, I much prefer the Thule roof rack that fits w/the BMW perfectly. It keeps the bike out of the car when it is dirty and it honestly easier than wrestling the frame out of the trunk. It takes me only a couple minutes to put the bike on the rack, rear wheel in the trunk and I am off. |
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01-22-2008, 08:06 AM | #5 |
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For just one bike, the fold-down seats are a good choice. A trunk liner or tarp can protect the car (and you can put the bike in chain-side up), and having the bike in the car means it's more secure, protected from theft and from the elements, and the car is more aerodynamic. If you have more than one bike, or some other use for the interior space, then a roof rack is probably the better alternative. It will produce wind resistance and noise (a wind deflector on the front can help a surprising amount), and if you have a garage, you need some kind of fail-safe reminder system to avoid a collision when there is a bike or two atop the car.
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01-22-2008, 08:09 AM | #6 |
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both
I have both. When it is just me I fold the seats down and put the bike in the trunk. I need to take the front wheel off to get it to fit. I have the roof rack but I only use it when I have more than 1 bike to carry. Sure it is fast to put the bike on the rack if it is always on your roof. But I don't always keep the rack on the roof. The rack on car reduces gas mileage and also adds a lot of wind noise. There is no way that you can keep your sun roof open if you have a roof rack on the car. The fixed point system makes is very easy to attach the rack to the roof once you get it properly adjusted but I just hate spending 15 minutes putting the rack on and then another 15 minutes taking the rack off every time I go for a bike ride.
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01-22-2008, 09:29 AM | #7 |
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I want to see what your next thread is going to be, 328fan. Judging from your past threads, I'm going to say it's going to be another one related to rear folding seats and bicycles
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01-22-2008, 08:33 PM | #8 |
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Yes, i am having a difficult time deciding whether i should get this option or not. This seems like a rare option in SoCal on the e90. I want to determine from what other people say about whether this option is not worth it or not. If it is not worth it, i can just pick a e90 w/o this option easily on the lot. But if it is really worth it, then it might be worth waiting for a few months.
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01-22-2008, 10:13 PM | #9 |
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I'd say it's essential. It's now standard on the coupe, and its availability there made the difference for me -- I wouldn't have considered the coupe otherwise.
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01-22-2008, 11:20 PM | #10 |
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Definitely get fold down seats...
1. storing your bike in the trunk keeps it clean and out of the elements.
2. keeps your bike secure from theft 3. no worries about hitting something 4. and fold down seats allow you much more flexibility in carrying much more than a bicycle too. You WILL use it. 5. get the option now because you can't add it later, and if you decide you want a rack, that's an easy after market add on. |
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01-23-2008, 01:19 AM | #11 |
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i have a mtn bike and i fold down my seats to put it in... it fits when i remove the front wheel... i feel more secure this way because after rides, i often stop for lunch somewhere.
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01-23-2008, 02:35 AM | #12 |
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folding the seats down is okay if you have just one bike. although, it can be a pain sometimes folding the seats and making sure you don't get the interior dirty. otherwise, just get a bike rack or roof rack and save yourself the hassle.
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01-23-2008, 06:26 AM | #13 |
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Just get the folding seats. You'll find ways to use them. I would also not put my bike in the car, so get a rack also!!
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01-23-2008, 10:52 AM | #15 |
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For a road bike is fine with fold down seat but not for Mt bike because of dirt & mud.
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01-23-2008, 11:15 AM | #16 |
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Just buy the car already man, you started so many threads asking so many questions...
If this car is out of your price range, look for something else that has all the amenities you need...
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01-23-2008, 01:37 PM | #17 |
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I would never buy a car without rear seats that fold down. Just MOP. However, I do have a rack for those time where I am transporting more than one bike, or more than one other person.
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01-23-2008, 02:33 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
Personally, if I were using the bike a lot I would invest in the bike rack. If you rarely use the bike put it in the trunk, if it fits. Either way, get the folding rear seats. |
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01-23-2008, 02:38 PM | #19 |
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Remind me never go driving with you and another friend. We'd have to flip a coin to determine who gets strapped to the rack.
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01-23-2008, 04:17 PM | #20 |
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12-23-2008, 09:43 PM | #22 |
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I don't have fold-down seats and I have been taking both wheels off to get the road bike in the trunk. For my last 5 sedans (including an A4) I have had MasterHitch install an aftermarket 1-1/4" hitch and used a Yakima DoubleDown (formerly Kingpin) hitch rack.
They have one for the E90, but I have resisted getting it so far since this is my nicest car and because it's pricey (around $400 for the hitch, installed). It is really low profile though and I probably will get it eventually. The hitch-mount option is superior to roof racks because the car is protected, and the bike is more protected from the wind and garage doors (you can keep your eye on the bike in the rearview mirror). |
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