Roof Rack options for 2014 Mazda3?

As I contemplate down-sizing from my Subaru Outback, one big drawback is the lack of a roof rack or even rails to mount a rack easily. My Outback came with the rails and the cross bars that tuck away into the rails when not in use, which is very convenient. To add a rack system to the Mazda, the cost will be over $400. At this time,, I still do not see one on the Mazda website. They had a removable rack system for the 2013 model but are not showing one for the 2014 model yet. It does appear Thule and Yakima both offer some kind of system right now, but again, we're talking over $400 so that is an expensive accessory to add. Any other suggestions on carrying kayaks? We don't take them out often, but I certainly need the option to do so. For bikes, I currently have a hatch-back style carrier that hooks on the back of the car and works quite well, so I should be able to adjust it to fit the Mazda hatch.
 
There is some discussion about roof racks on Mazda revolution forum http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2014-mazda-3-skyactiv-appearance-interior/41434-roof-rack-3.html
So far I do not like any solutions.
I need my rack to be easily removable because it hurts gas milage and I liked the towers and tabs that older Mazda3 offered.
It is the shame that 2014 Mazda3 doesn't have a viable solution when competition from WV (Jetta Sporwagen) and Subaru
has all the rails installed as standard equipment.
 
See the post from medcentermazda. There is now a viable option for less than $300 if you can install yourself.
 
Anyone have any luck with thule roof racks for 2014 3's? Mazdaparts.org just released an eom roof rack but I really like the look of the fairing on thule racks.
 
See the post from medcentermazda. There is now a viable option for less than $300 if you can install yourself.

yup - $276.98 for the OEM roof racks at med center here - http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-3-roof-rack-crossbars.html - just what i was holding out for. Didnt want to spend all that extra $$$ to get a round bar yakima that looks bad - these are the nice aero ones. gonna be picking up a pair pretty soon.

genuine-mazda-3-roof-rack-crossbars-3.gif
 
It looks like the OEM ones won't damage the paint from the support pillars, either. The Yakama rack I had for a summer on my 2012 Focus left marks on the paint, even though I carefully cleaned it before installation and used ScratchX on it afterward. I suspect it will still cause tons of wind noise and a big hit to fuel efficiency, though. I lost 4-5mpg on the expressway with my Focus and the Yakama rack, even with the wind deflector I later added.
 
yup - $276.98 for the OEM roof racks at med center here - http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-3-roof-rack-crossbars.html - just what i was holding out for. Didnt want to spend all that extra $$$ to get a round bar yakima that looks bad - these are the nice aero ones. gonna be picking up a pair pretty soon.

genuine-mazda-3-roof-rack-crossbars-3.gif

If you choose to remove the crossbars at times, do you leave the bottom "landing pad" in place or does that come off as well? I can't tell from this picture what is removable when you take off the bars. Thank you.
 
Hi everyone!

I just picked up my brand new Mazda 3S GT Hatchback from the dealer on the 5th and have been having loads of fun with it! I have been trying to decide between a roof rack vice a simple tow hitch for the purpose of carrying bikes, and only bikes. I have an Thule hitch which works great, but it's a 2 inch version and using a converter will end up hanging the bikes about 2 feet off the rear bumper, probably not the best.

Anyways, I too noticed the OEM roof rails last night and am considering them as well. I did find they are a bit cheaper here: http://www.partswebsite.com/mazdapartswholesale/oemparts/mazda-136/00008LL20-00008LL20.html
and installation instructions can be found here: http://ep.yimg.com/ty/cdn/yhst-24809172479195/00008LL20.pdf

From the installation instructions it appears that once the new gutter pieces are installed, you get the same kind of easy access to the body mounting locations like my buddy's Subaru Impreza. To answer the question about the landing pads, it looks like you need to remove the whole thing at once, including the one bolt per corner in order to take it off, there is no middle ground like the Yakima landing pad system.

Considering the price savings though, it does look pretty nice. I think it is the Yakimia Whispbar system. Slightly different feet than the ones shown on the site, but the profile of the bar on the installation sheet looks exactly like the Whispbar. The top of the instructions tell the user to speak to Yakima for replacement parts.
 
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Thanks for info about the OEM Mazda Roof Rack Crossbars (part # 00008LL20.) I was all set to buy the Yakima Control Towers/Cross Bars/Landing Pads for close to $400 until I learned about this.

Yes, the Yakima setup is easily removed but the Landing Pads by themselves look kind of clunky and probably induce a lot of drag.

Curious the Mazda part instructions refer you to Yakima for replacement parts, yet Yakima doesn't offer this as a fit option for the M3. If this is indeed a Whispbar Flush Bar system, it is about half the price of what Yakima wants.

Hopefully it won't create too much drag and can stay on the car when not it use. I'm happy it includes an integrated lock and key mechanism. (You have to pay even more for that with the Yakima Control Towers.)

Tried to order it from partswebsite.com but ordering had some hiccups and the site wouldn't process the order.

Found it at http://stores.revolutionparts.com/oemmazdaparts.com/oe-mazda/00008ll20?search_str=00008LL20 for $10 cheaper (at about $245 including shipping.)
 
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It may be that the roof rack from http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-3-roof-rack-crossbars.html includes the left and right roof molding. I'm making this guess based on the part #: 00008LL20-BHY2509L0-9H0. (00008LL20 is the part # for the roof rack, BHY2509L0 is the part # for the left hand molding, and BHY2509H0 is the part # for the right molding.)

The other places, http://stores.revolutionparts.com/oemmazdaparts.com/oe-mazda/00008ll20?search_str=00008LL20 and http://www.partswebsite.com/mazdapartswholesale/oemparts/mazda-136/00008LL20-00008LL20.html only list the roof rack part # as 00008LL20.

This may explain why the mazdaparts site is $25-$35 more than the others. So buying from them may be a better deal.

That said, I'm not sure if you need new molding or you can reuse the the molding installed with your car. Also I'm not sure if BHY2509L0 and BHY2509H0 is in any way different than what was installed with your car.
 
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Yakima makes accessories which fit these bars, just look for the Whispbar logo when picking gadgets. https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

RockyMounts also sells a very nice looking bike rack which works with these: http://www.rockymounts.com/Euro_PitchFork_bike_rack_p/1102.htm
Now for the real question, Black, Silver, or go all the way and see how the red works with my red car!

As for the gutter plastic pieces, the new ones have a couple little removable pieces of plastic which provide access to the body mounts, much like a Subaru.

I did end up ordering my rack from partswebsite.com and received an E-mail saying the order was processing, but it has been doing so for a few days. If I don't get a shipping progress E-mail soon-ish I'll give them a call.
 
It may be that the roof rack from http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-3-roof-rack-crossbars.html includes the left and right roof molding. I'm making this guess based on the part #: 00008LL20-BHY2509L0-9H0. (00008LL20 is the part # for the roof rack, BHY2509L0 is the part # for the left hand molding, and BHY2509H0 is the part # for the right molding.)

The other places, http://stores.revolutionparts.com/oemmazdaparts.com/oe-mazda/00008ll20?search_str=00008LL20 and http://www.partswebsite.com/mazdapartswholesale/oemparts/mazda-136/00008LL20-00008LL20.html only list the roof rack part # as 00008LL20.

This may explain why the mazdaparts site is $25-$35 more than the others. So buying from them may be a better deal.

That said, I'm not sure if you need new molding or you can reuse the the molding installed with your car. Also I'm not sure if BHY2509L0 and BHY2509H0 is in any way different than what was installed with your car.

On the first gen Mazda 3S the the molding on the US models didn't have the little hard point access doors, but the ones in Canada did. If you could dig up the part number for the Canadian molding you could special order it and put it on your car. The 2nd gen 3S did have the little door on the US models, don't know why the 3rd gen doesn't.
 
Mazda OEM Roof Rack Part 1

Good evening everyone,

I got my roof rack in the mail last night and will do a really quick review of it before I put it on this weekend.

I got my parts from http://www.mazdapartswholesale.com/ and the processing time was about a week and a half thanks to a part being broken when they received it. At least they took care of it so I didn't have to, I appreciate that. Once the parts were shipped, I got them the next day.

Below are a couple pics of the plastic gutter pieces which run down the length of the roof. They are a definite left and right pair, you have to get one of each

Reminds me that I should buy some more peanut butter!
IMG_0565.JPG

Access hatches
IMG_0567.JPG

Back side of the piece, note the piece just out of focus in the upper left which helps hold it on the roof.
IMG_0568.JPG

I am not sure how to make these images show instead of needing to click on them. Any pointers?
 
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OEM Roof Rack Part 2

Below are a few images of the actual roof rack with a couple different bike trays on it. I will take a few more pics of it on the car this weekend if the weather can hold out. Initial impressions are quite positive, everything seems to be well built and quite sturdy.

Feet with included lock cores
IMG_0589.JPG

These are Whispbars for sure
IMG_0587.JPG

Two different bike tray options which work well with these bars.
RockyMounts Euro Pitchfork: https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
Yakima Fork Lift: https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
IMG_0583.JPG

Rockymount on the left
IMG_0571.JPG

The Rockymount has a much smaller cross section, I am curious to see if it is quieter or not.
IMG_0579.JPG

I hope these pics help and let me know if you want any different angles.
 
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Good evening everyone,

I got my roof rack in the mail last night and will do a really quick review of it before I put it on this weekend.

I got my parts from http://www.mazdapartswholesale.com/ and the processing time was about a week and a half thanks to a part being broken when they received it. At least they took care of it so I didn't have to, I appreciate that. Once the parts were shipped, I got them the next day.

Below are a couple pics of the plastic gutter pieces which run down the length of the roof. They are a definite left and right pair, you have to get one of each

Reminds me that I should buy some more peanut butter!
View attachment 207189

Access hatches
View attachment 207190

Back side of the piece, note the piece just out of focus in the upper left which helps hold it on the roof.
View attachment 207191

I am not sure how to make these images show instead of needing to click on them. Any pointers?

Thanks for all the pics and info. Just what I've been holding out for!

As for the pics, if you want a thumbnail of the pic to appear in your post, you choose that option when attaching. If you want a full size pic, you'd need to have the pic on a photo hosting site like photobucket. Then either use the insert image tool or cut and paste the image URL and enclose it with
.
 
Thanks for the photos, these are awesome. Will be ordering mine today. One question, Do the Euro Pitchfork's come with cylinder locks?
On Amazon it says:

"Stainless steel, long-throw, lockable quick-release makes loading bikes easy and fast"

Wasn't sure. Thank you!!!

EDIT

nevermind...it blatantly states it does not come with lock cores...jumped the gun
 
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