Paul Wilder said:

Now I hope I don't raise any new arguments with this(!) but I've already got THULE bars and feet etc from my old car so aren't keen on forking out for a completely new set to put on my ByDiesel 500 with glass roof.

Now I know they already do a THULE 500 shortened roof addition to put on a 500 but it specifically states it's not for glass roof versions.

So my question is:- has anyone tried it anyway? Is it likely to damage the car or is it just THULE not wanting people to put heavy loads on a glass roof..?

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You would be the first person to try it. I'm 99.999999999999999999999999999999999% sure that no one else has ever tried it.

Give it a go, what's the worst that can happen?

Actually, to be perfectly honest I wouldn't do that, I'd just buy the roofbars that the OP bought because you know that they will work 100% and not damage the car. You've probably paid quite a bit of money for the 500, what's another £99?

Paul Wilder said:

Now I hope I don't raise any new arguments with this(!) but I've already got THULE bars and feet etc from my old car so aren't keen on forking out for a completely new set to put on my ByDiesel 500 with glass roof.

Now I know they already do a THULE 500 shortened roof addition to put on a 500 but it specifically states it's not for glass roof versions.

So my question is:- has anyone tried it anyway? Is it likely to damage the car or is it just THULE not wanting people to put heavy loads on a glass roof..?

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The risk/reward balance of doing this seems all wrong to me.

Not using the right one puts me in mind of this - probably the best car advert ever (perhaps second best after the Honda chain reaction car parts one):



You don't want to be standing there looking at your broken glass roof saying "bugger".

RobinPJ said:

The risk/reward balance of doing this seems all wrong to me.

Not using the right one puts me in mind of this - probably the best car advert ever (perhaps second best after the Honda chain reaction car parts one):

Toyota hilux - YouTube

You don't want to be standing there looking at your broken glass roof saying "bugger".

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Fantastic ad, made in Australia (like me) of course

Completely agree with your reasoning, the risk/reward balance on this is far too far towards the risk side IMHO. Little to gain (£99) and a lot to lose, panel work on roof or a broken glass roof which are both expensive!

Yeah I hear what you're saying - especially as the additional THULE component is like £75 anyway.

There was an interesting post that no one really commented on that I found on a previous thread on this subject:

PhilCool said:

I called into my nearest Halfords and the guy said that Thule had advised him not to sell them when there's a glass roof, not because of weight on the glass but because the weight pushes the roof apart and the glass is at risk of becoming loose or popping out.

apparently there isn't any weight on the glass!.

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Paul Wilder said:

Yeah I hear what you're saying - especially as the additional THULE component is like £75 anyway.

There was an interesting post that no one really commented on that I found on a previous thread on this subject:

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Although I went against the grain originally and said that a roof rack from a company who claimed that it was fine and were ISO and TUV acredited/approved was OK, if a company as reputable as Thule say that their product is NOT suitable then I think it's really quite sensible to take their advice

Well I've taken your advice and instead of trying to risk it with my glass roof and all my THULE kit, I've just ordered one from Micks Garage in Ireland too. Having had an email from them, they have two currently in stock and for 99 euros including free postage, it will apparently be here at my house in England for a couple of days...

So I'll then be able to give you an 'unbiased' second opinion

Paul Wilder said:

Well I've taken your advice and instead of trying to risk it with my glass roof and all my THULE kit, I've just ordered one from Micks Garage in Ireland too. Having had an email from them, they have two currently in stock and for 99 euros including free postage, it will apparently be here at my house in England for a couple of days...

So I'll then be able to give you an 'unbiased' second opinion

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How did it went?

Well it's taken me over a year to get around to writing this reply and in that time I've lost all the photos I took of the new roof rack after it arrived, however my excuse is that I've moved house
Anyway the extended time means the review can be of a better quality as I've used the roof numerous times, including with both one and two cycle racks. I've put it the bars on and taken them off numerous times as well as leaving them on the car for months at a time and I am very happy with my purchase and recommend them to any Fiat 500 owner, although to be fair, I've only actually physically loaded them about a dozen times to put stuff on, but at least it makes my car easier to spot in car parks...!
It doesn't take long to put them on or take them off (once you have the hang of it) *however* you have to be careful when doing it on your own as the first time I did it I actually nicked the paintwork on the far edge of the car as I was trying to put the bars on.

Very infromative thread. Thanks all.
Paul, is that the same La Pre alpina rack set that itimjim has fitted earlier in the thread? I am looking to fit them to our glass roofed lounge when it arrives. Nothing heavy, just surfboards to the beach.




I am curious about the grub screw in the front rack foot. Can you confirm it does not require screwing into the car.



Instructions say tighten to 4nm so even with this little torque I gather it will end up leaving a hole in the paint at top of the door frame. Is this correct?

Hi,

Did you ever fit that roof rack to your Fiat 500? I have just bought a 2012 lounge and was wondering if I could carry a bike and or a roof box?

thanks

I just fitted a Summit to my Sport. I can't fit a bike rack to the rear due to spoiler, but am getting a bike add-on for the roof. The rack is solid.