Bike rack for a saloon?

[m3psm]

I'm trying to find a bike rack to fit on the back of an E-Class Merc saloon, but all roads seem to lead towards getting a £2-300 tow bar or roof rack fitted, then at least the same again for the rack. That means £600+ just to carry the bike around. I could buy a fold up bike for that and lob it in the boot.

Has anyone come across a cheaper solution that won't wreck the paintwork or lose the bike off the back at the first bump?

Cheers

Paul

 

[midliferider]

You can buy the whole kit from me for half the price.
I used to have a Merc C200. I used roof rack. Using the roof rack has several advantages. You can take about 4 bikes. You can open the boot without removing bikes. If you have children, you will know how often you need to do that. I read somewhere that it fuel consumption is less with roof rack than boot mounted ones.
Then I use a cycle carrier on roof bar.
Now I have sold my Merc.
If you tell me what is the model of your Merc, what year, then I can check its compatibility.

 

[m3psm]

You can buy the whole kit from me for half the price.
I used to have a Merc C200. I used roof rack. Using the roof rack has several advantages. You can take about 4 bikes. You can open the boot without removing bikes. If you have children, you will know how often you need to do that. I read somewhere that it fuel consumption is less with roof rack than boot mounted ones.
Then I use a cycle carrier on roof bar.
Now I have sold my Merc.
If you tell me what is the model of your Merc, what year, then I can check its compatibility.

Cheers. That could work It's a 2013 E220 saloon.

 

[midliferider]

This is what it says in the box
Totus System series 4000
It is complete with instructions, everything which came in the box.
I will try and attach a picture of the box here

 

[atbman]

Howdy stranger, bike rack's round the side so you don't frighten the horses

 

[Globalti]

Free solution:

Remove wheels from bike, open boot, pop frame and wheels inside and shut the boot.

This miracle solution has several amazing benefits; it hides your valuable bike from thieves, keeps it out of the slipstream so there's no effect on your fuel consumption, protects the bike from car park barriers and rear-ending dozy drivers and best of all, keeps your bike out of the vortex of salty water that follows your car everywhere in winter, eddying around just behind the rear bumper.

 

[Kies]

OR ... you could get your bikes up on the roof and use the boot for the family luggage.

I bought a pair of 2nd (ebay) hand BMW roof bars for my car, and then a pair of Thule 591's (also ebay) to attach to the bars. total cost was about £200. Now is a good time to buy the 591's as folks probably bought them, and didn't use much, so prices should be around £50 per carrier

i don't use them in the winter, but from April to November - they are a permanent feature on the car

 

[VamP]

Saris Bones?

 

[m3psm]

Free solution:

Remove wheels from bike, open boot, pop frame and wheels inside and shut the boot.

This miracle solution has several amazing benefits; it hides your valuable bike from thieves, keeps it out of the slipstream so there's no effect on your fuel consumption, protects the bike from car park barriers and rear-ending dozy drivers and best of all, keeps your bike out of the vortex of salty water that follows your car everywhere in winter, eddying around just behind the rear bumper.

This is the solution I opted for in the end. Have to take off both wheels, seat and bars to get it in, but definitely more secure.

Problem with boot mounted racks is that the boot lid is lightweight and flexible, so can't take any weight.

 

[roadrash]

Saris Bones?

^^^^this^^^^