Anyone have experience with some decent inexpensive bike racks for a 300TD? I've been looking for something that will attach to the existing rails on the roof.
I'm starting to get the notion I could build a rack for less than the extremely overpriced racks out there.
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Can't you just put them (the bike) inside your wagon?
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::My boss compliments on my W123 made me nervous, I never thought 23 years old car still impress her[] and although now I drive the new one, but no way I'm getting rid of the old.::
If your license plate frame is strong enough you could try Performance Products, they sell bike racks that could install on the license plate brackets. Might work for yours, but I am not sure if they have one for the W123.
I believe that the manual warned against a particular type of rack.
"The only type of rack we recommend to be mounted on the roof is the drip rail mounted type which has no other supports (suction cups or legs) to support the rack on the roof. Such supports may lead to marring of the paint or even denting of the roof if excessive weight is placed on the rack."
This is what the manual says for sedans. If it's different for wagons, I'm sorry. But I hope this helps.
On my last car that had drip rails,I used a pair of aluminum roof racks. They were an extruded design, light and extremly strong. I picked them up at a yard sale so I don't know were to tell you to look.
I then purchased Tuele(sp)brand bike holders (the ones with the upright arms to lock in your bike, NOT the ones were you have to take off the tire.) I drilled through the aluminum channel and bolted on the racks with stainless steel fasteners.
The Tuele(sp) were a little expensive (seems to me at the time)but they out lasted two used minivans and five years on the third (left on the vans all year in New England.)
There are racks called Quick N' Easy, they attach to the rain gutters(drip rails), they are sturdy and inexpensive. Just like a Yakima or Thule but a fraction of the cost, as you only get the brackets and you make your own load bearing crossmembers out of some 2x6 or 2x4. Could be an opportunity to make a real classic looking roof rack if you got nice wood and broke out the Thompson's Water Seal. I kinda wish I had done that instead of buying a Yakima.
When I bought my wagon it already had Thule racks on it. I'm very happy with them. My setup has two bike rails and a holder for skis. I see used racks on ebay all the time.
] and although now I drive the new one, but no way I'm getting rid of the old.::
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