Roof rack for 996?

Anyone ever put the Porsche roof transport system rack on their 996? Any feedback, tips, suggestions? I'm concerned about damage to the roof and finish from installation/removal. Or if anyone has a used one for sale as their are pretty pricey from the dealer, email me...

The PO of my car had the roof rack system installed. From what I can see there were no problems other than two of the clips on the little' trap' doors of the roof rail had broken. I think Porsche's rack sysytem is pretty good, if not wildly expensive. I just saw a used one for sale recently and if I remember where I'll give you a shout. Fred

I've got one, bought it with my '99. It's made by Thule and very high quality. Only used it a few times on my old car with no problems (went >100mph in the rain with 2 bikes up there!) or signs of use. Might have to throw it on the GT3 for laughs one of these days...

Thule website says they don't make one for the porsche, do you know which fit kit fit on your 996? I have one for my audi, and it was a pain to install. WOndering if the porsche kit is easier.

I have the Porsche rack that I bought with the car & bike carriers that I bought thru the dealer. Some of the paperwork that came with the bike attachments says Thule on it. It's well designed and bolts to the roof (you take out the screw that's in there under the plastic latches). There are rubber gaskets that go between the roof and the part of the rack that attaches to the roof, so there is zero damage to the roof and it's super sturdy with nothing to adjust.

the part attached to the roof of the car is porsche exclusive. if you are talking about bike trays, don't buy the OEM porsche stuff, you want the kind that mount the bike with front wheel taken off. you can buy bike trays from either thule or yakima. both can be attached to the OEM porsche rack. you need to drill a hole on the trays, hard to explain but when you see the tray and the rack together, it become self explanatory.

here's my solution, but it does require you to cut into the bumpettes bike rack - hitch

wow, Great bike! is that bare carbon fiber?!

it's a giant tcr composite. carbon fibre with a clear coat. superlight!

nice, i love campy's as well. i ride a seven sola and a serrota otrott ST.

I purchased the roof carrier and back racks wth my car back in August '04. Since then, I've used it 15-20 times without any issues. If you were to examine my car closesly, you wouldn't be able to detect that a roof rack was ever installed. I've driven as far as 150 miles with top speeds of 80-85 mph without any issues. However, it's important to note that carrier system generates a LOT of wind noise. The carrier system that I had on my M5 didn't generate nearly as much excess wind noise.... oh the sacrifices I've made to become a member of this noble P-Car owner clan... I digress. I have 2 road bike trays/attachments and 1 mountain bike attachment. One thing to note.... the road bike attachement can be locked while the mountain bike attachment isn't lockable. I wouldn't even THINK about using an aftermarket carrier.

man, nice rides my other bike is a litespeed siena, gotta love titanium

THanks guys for the tipe, I think I will get the porsche rack and affix my thule locking carrier to the porsche rack. I agree Karloz, nice bike!! I have been thinking how nice my eddy merckx will look atop my 996 this spring!

rack on p car is noiser than on m5 etc b/c the supporting legs (cross bars) are closer together thus the bike tray has a longer cantilevered section out back. that section gets whipped around and causes wind noise. on my wife's ex accord coupe, it was so loud it's unbearable. the same set up with same bikes on my avant with the crossbar farther apart, the noise is much better (i don't have a fairing in either case.)

I use the porsche system with the thule box. Works great, foam spacers protect the paint. I have some good pics but couldn't load them because not a member, but do notice less mpg, especially 75+ mph Jeff

Does anyone put a ski rack on these babies? Who makes one?

I have the road bike attachments and container on the rack which is where I carry 2 golf club bags on trips, works great. This pic was taken after driving 600miles at sprints up to 130mph and didn't notice the box above. Expensive compared to other racks, but I feel worth it. The rack fits nice and secure, no vibration either. Easy on and off with included hex wrench and screwdriver. and YES, there's ski attachment

[QUOTE=karlooz]here's my solution, but it does require you to cut into the bumpettes Great bike... and interesting bike rack. I'd like to know more about how you attached the rack to your pcar? but I ride a Fondriest Titan Level 9 3Al/2.5V Titanium with a Fondriest Domin McFull Carbon Fiber fork, Chain/Seatstay: Carbon Fiber Monocoque Dropouts: Carbon Fiber Shifters: campy record ergo 10 speed Brakes: campy record Levers: campy record Carbon Headset: Fondriest Integrated Stem: deda element Comp Zero HandleBar: salsa pro road anatomic blk 46cm Grips: cinelli cork Crankset: campy record 39/53 Bottom Bracket: campy record Chain: campy record 10 Ft Derailleur: campy record Rr Derailleur: campy record Casette: campy record 13/26 Seatpost: campy record Carbon Saddle: selle italiz flight ti gel Wheels: Rims: Mavic Open Pro Hubs: campy record Spokes dt comp Nipples: alloy Rimtape: ritchey Skewers: campy record Tires: Conti GP3000 Pedals: campy record pro fit plus 16.8lbs, tight and fast in downhill corners I can't say enough about this bike... it's Pcar equivalent is a GT3