Looking for a new or used, oem roof rack for my 95 e320coupe. This bolts directly to the roof in the provided, threaded inserts in the roof rails. The new e320s have them also. I know Ive seen them, but not recently

Would that be the same one as a 1988 300CE? Are they the same? Can they still be purchaced from the dealer?

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Some sort of roof rack that fits the existing bolt holes my 300ce roof exists, from the dealer; expensive as I recall.

Also, an Australian company named Rola is the only aftermarket firm I have yet found that sells racks that fit the existing bolt holes - the local outlet here in California emailed me they were looking for a new office space and would contact me when they found one...that was many months ago.

Good luck; btw, I wonder if the roof can be raised if a flat object is on the racks?

Well, I hope that some of these options pan out...
Looks like I might have to become handy with some exotic wood-working skills. Hate to do anything homemade, but I may not have much choice.

Tell you folks what- if my handy-work pans out, I will e-mail pic.s of results, maybe you'll want one of these... won't bother sending anyhting if the results aren't satisfactorily sensational.

Anyway for all the help. I'll keep trying too.

Yes, these exist....I know because I have a pair!

Bought from MB by a previous owner. They have locking rails which I don't have the key for but I think they can still be used in non-secure mode.

I'd imagine they are still available (at a price!)

__________________
Paul Gibbons
'93 320CE
'73 Jensen Interceptor (Resting)
Giant Full Sus Mountain Bike

I checked with one of the local MB dealerships the other week. He did some kind of search and said that there was one in the whole country still in inventory. If I remember correctly, it was about $350 or so. I didn't purchase because he couldn't show me a picture and also couldn't confirm if it fit a 300E or a 300CE, (I got the CE). The stated maximum weight that the rack can carry is only 200 pounds. That makes sense as the only mounting points are the drip rails. Plenty enough capacity for bicycles or kayaks.

Try doing a search of the archives. It has been discussed before. Someone modified a Thule rack to fit. The bolt size is either 8mm or 10mm. Best place to get bolts is a marine supply store. You will get good quality stuff that the weather won't affect much, (i.e. probably won't rust). All one would need is a standoff of a few inches with rubber gromets to protect the anodized rails.

Good luck in your quest. If I ever modify something to fit, will document and post experiences. Proabably won't happen as my Ranger pickup is still running well.

Hey, guess what I found? After searching the world over and lamenting to many of you in this forum and getting everyone who has a coupe and needs a roof rack searching like crazy- I found some right under our collective noses. Philip at MercedesShop.com (ever heard of it?) found me one and it is on its way.

Philip assures me that it is for the 1995 124 coupe model and that it is OEM. Price not bad at $299 (incl shipping). If you need one I would call him quick, I imagine inventory must be weak on this. He said he can also get the plexi-storage unit too. Did not opt for this at $600 though, atleast not now. Would be nice to keep everything OEM MB- which is sort of the point in not going Rola or Thule etc. in the first place. Just cannot part with that kind of $$ right now.

Anyway, Philip is the man- give him a buzz.

thanks again for all your help guys!

awesome, I will give him a call.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

I've had the ROLA sport rack on my 300/320 CE for a few years now, and am quite happy with it.

Last year we were able to order the factory/OEM unit (made by ORIS). Rusty and BuyMBParts was able to locate a small supply of them in Germany, and several of us got them.

I recently installed the MBZ/ORIS unit, and while it looks more "factory" than the ROLA unit, and claims to have a nominally higher capacity (100 kg vs 90 kg), its main tradeoffs IMO include:
- taller profile than ROLA -- more wind resistance (felt and heard)
- more wind noise and buffeting
- more rattling/creaking over uneven pavement

Noise and functionality were never reasons for wanting this roof rack.I honestly just wanted it to complete the package. I knew there was an OEM MB rack unit available for this car and figured I better get it now or forget it.

The coupes are somewhat rare (whether that makes them desireable or not is another question) and to have the oem roof rack as well is just a little bonus.

I did install it once and drove down the road. I heard no creaking, but it was noisy at highway speeds. I really doubt I would ever carry anything on the roof of my car.If I am that overloaded for a trip, I'll take the suv!

My CE coupe IS my carrier car -- its my only vehicle with back seats Hence the roof rack and (more useful) -- trailer hitch (have towed from Chicago to Florida once; twice the other way).

Did you get your OEM rack, or are you still looking to buy one ??

###########

BTW, the coupes ARE rarer (lower production volume) and IMO more collectible/desirable than the W124 sedans. I just wish they offered them with the bigger motors -- a 500E coupe would've been GREAT.

Well I can imagine if you are using your coupe as a truck i.e. towing trailers and loading up the roof and the back seat, you might want a bigger engine... I like the 3.2L 6 cyl with 217HP its all the engine I need and its not killing the wallet at the gas pump (23mpg) If I had my choice, however I would have opted for the "sport" model. Beefier trans, suspension, exhaust, tires etc.

Also, I am aware that a coupe is "rarer" than a sedan, as a matter of fact in 95' they only sold 350 units in the U.S. My comment about the coupe re. whether or not is more desireable comes from 1)The dealer I bought mine from was having a terrible time unloading it (with only 85k), hense I bought it for a LOT less than book, after first having it completely gone over by an MB mechanic. 2)If you look at any of the big auto buy/sell websites (AutoTrader.com, AutoHunter.com, Classiccars.com) or magazines, newspapers etc. you will always find the same phenom. The market values for the coupe are only slightly more than comparable sedans and MUCH LESS than "special edition" e320 sedans or "sport" coupes- which I do not believe are any rarer? 3)I have been dabbling in selling my coupe for the past 6 months and not even a nibble- and this car is gorgeous and selling for a very reasonable price! My point is that, and my friends and family attest to this, that coupes are UNdesireable because its a hassle getting in and out of the back seat. Not to mention that the doors are heavier and harder to manipulate for my wife and kids.

As far as I am concerned... I love the coupe. I love the slightly chopped roof, I like the large side windows, I love the motorized seatbelt thingy and all the ammentities that come standard w/the e320coupe i.e. traction control, heated seats, mutli-position seats and the aforementioned seatbelt "offering" arm. So as far as I am concerned, I was very happy to have purchased this and perhaps future coupes at a reduced price because, I guess, they are just not as desireable to everyone- Let them have their cookie cutter sedans!

Any pictures with it installed?

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Here's my 1993 300/320 CE Sportline coupe with the OE roof rack installed.



A closer look at the roof rack: