Hello, I hope somebody has experience with this. I've got an '83 300TD with the factory chrome roof rack. I'd like to add a bike rack to it but it seems that all the newer bike mounts are designed to clamp to the modern "oval" crossbars. My crossbars are the factory small round bars. Am I better off getting something that mounts to the drip rails with a clamp or is there something out there that will successfully adapt to my stock rack? I guess I could have a set of oval tubes made to fit the stock rack but this seems like overkill and unnecessary expense.

Thank you!!!

Check out Yakama and Thule. You can get em from REI.com or sportsrack.com

FWIW, on my 300TE I used a Thule strap-on rear-mount rack that worked great.

I abandoned the idea of roof mount after a friend pulled their car into the garage and tore off 2 bikes, a bike rack, the garage door and part of the car roof off.....Not the best way to end a fun day of biking

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Have you looked at Yakima? I have a rack that has been on, uh, I think it's six different cars now. Haven't used it on a 123 wagon - I could never find one clean enough to be worth purchasing. But it's been on 124 and 210 wagons. I digress, but Yakima makes a clamp that should be nearly universal for roof bars. I suppose if the bar is too small in diameter it could be a problem. The way the mounts are designed, I can't see why it would matter if the roof bars were round vs. oval.

Failing that, go with the rain gutter mounts. That is a very good way to mount a roof rack to a car.

If you end up with Yakima, avoid the 'Q' towers. They are padded feat that sit on the roof of the car to support the rack. For most cars they are the only option, but a 123 wagon has two better options for mounting a rack.

- JimY

Great! Thanks for the info, folks...

I was worried that my bars were too small in diameter but I called a local dealer that said they will test-fit the clamps before I buy. They sell Thule and Yakima so I'm sure they'll have something to fit...I was going to try to buy used stuff to save money since a new rack will cost more than the car did!

I watched a guy once with a Volvo XC and 2 bikes on top go under an old "one lane bridge" underpass...the XC made it but the bikes didn't!!! Ouch...but I don't take the wagon into the garage. My wife's Mini Cooper and whatever project car I have at the time take up that space...this one will reside in the driveway! Thanks for the warning, though. It's bound to happen even to the best of us!

I had the rear mounted strap-on style before on a different car...then had a strap let loose on I-95 in Philadelphia and the bikes were swinging from side to side. I vowed never to use it again but perhaps strap/hook technology is better now.

Again, thanks so much for the info/suggestions.

Did you source your bike rack? I have access to a NEW original MB 3 bike rack if you're interested - which fits the chrome bars perfectly! If you're interested, drop me a line....

>Joe

__________________
>Joe

http://www.bonnemay.co.uk/pics/W123_48.gif
1984 W123 230E Saloon/Sedan! (82k miles - Ice Blue as new)
1985 W123 230TE (96K miles - stinkingly nice!)
1995 W124 E320 Wagon (130k miles)
Future projects:
Sportline Suspension W124, W123 TE restoration, A/C, cruise & powered seats retrofit!

>Based in the UK!

Thule makes a suitable adapter...I think it's #411 and it fits the bars well enough. If I were going for a factory look, I'd definitely go with the kit you mentioned. What's the cost of something like that? Perhaps I'd sell my current setup. Any pics? Thanks.

Mike

Well I'm told cost would be approx £70UK ! Since it's original, unused & boxed etc etc... seems it's priced for the "die-hard" original 123 fan!

No pics I'm afraid, he has none! hmm!

Anyhow there is also a W123 estate ski rack on eBay for £25 UK - original & boxed - have a search under "Mercedes 123 ski" in the UK.

__________________
>Joe

http://www.bonnemay.co.uk/pics/W123_48.gif
1984 W123 230E Saloon/Sedan! (82k miles - Ice Blue as new)
1985 W123 230TE (96K miles - stinkingly nice!)
1995 W124 E320 Wagon (130k miles)
Future projects:
Sportline Suspension W124, W123 TE restoration, A/C, cruise & powered seats retrofit!

>Based in the UK!