Thule Roof Systems
 

I did a little research, and it appears as though Thule UK has a kit that fits the 1994-2000 BMW Compact: Rapid System Fit Kit No. 1014. On the same UK Thule webpage that lists this fit kit for the Compact, it also says the traditional Fit Kit was the 225. So, it may be that we are still able to obtain a kit of sorts from the UK. Can anyone provide any additional info or confirmation on this?

Looking at a picture:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=270372685361

It doesn't seem like it would work. The rear (at least with the 225 kit) are hooks. The fronts do look like they'll work.

I would contact the seller and see if there are missing parts; at least with the latest Thule kit I bought, there were extra parts to fit a wider range of vehicles.

You are correct with regard to that UK eBay posting. That is NOT the same as the kit I discovered. You have to go directly to the Thule UK website itself, and do the application search. There you will see the 1014 Fit Kit -- with the hooks. I'm guessing you'd have to purchase them new from a distributor in the UK, and I have several inquiries in already (one being "Petra Cycles").

are you wondering if we can still get the mounting kit for our cars? i know the 225 fit kit they don't make anymore, but when i went into a local bike store they said they would easily still be able to obtain the kit. Maybe just try going to one of your local bike stores. Sorry if i miss understood what you where asking.

This is the link (hope it works):

http://www.thule.co.uk/appguide/your...=&tSP=&tLocks=

Okay, so I've confirmed that the Thule UK kit will work fine on the 318ti but it's a nightmare to find a distributor to ship it. So I just ordered an OEM BMW roof system thru the dealer for $178. There are exactly 15 left -- in Germany.

do you by chance have the part number ?

I'm assuming you mean the part number for the OEM roof system. I don't have that -- just called my local BMW dealer and they're having it shipped from Germany. If you meant the Thule UK system, it consists of Rapid Fitting Kit 1014, Gutterless Foot Pack 750, and 120cm Bars -- none of which (other than the bars) you will find being sold in the United States.

sorry, yeah, i meant the OE system. Ill give them a call.

FYI this is the response I received from Thule (United States) customer service concerning obtaining the Thule system that is still manufactured and sold for the 318ti in England:

"If still available in the UK this may be the solution. However this may require finding a UK address as all Thule affiliates and retailer sign a "do not ship out of the country agreement". The European system is totally different and will not work with North American components."

What a load of crap -- that Thule would still sell a rack system for our cars in Europe but we cannnot obtain them here!