C Class (W201?) Saloon Roof Box

[angus falconer]

Hi All,

Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a roof box (and of course roof rack) for a 2000 C Class saloon (I think it's a w201 model - the original shape with square headlamps that ran from 93-2000).

 

[LANDR0VER]

Hi All,

Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a roof box (and of course roof rack) for a 2000 C Class saloon (I think it's a w201 model - the original shape with square headlamps that ran from 93-2000).

My personal opinion would be don't do it as it will spoil the look of your car.
Better to use a trailer if you need to carry a lot of items about....

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Most cars have a set of fixings for roof bars. My Peugeot has four threaded holes under the top of the door/body seals, you bolt on roof bar supports and roof bars and fit the box. You may have those or roof rail tracks if you have a black strip along each side of the roof. I found the roof boxes very effective and you do not have the trailer speed limit. I have used the roof box on the Merc too without any problem but the estate has roof rails.

 

[angus falconer]

Hi Landrover, Olaf.

Thanks for the feedback.

The reason I was asking was that I couldn't recall having seen a roof box on a saloon - they are usually on estates (often with roof rails) where they look more in place and where they can actually be a lot longer.

Olaf, how long was your roof box and what make?

I don't fancy a trailer as it's only for light but bulky baby kit (push chair, etc) and the car is a C43. Plus I have no place to store a trailer.

Anyone else out there who has tried sticking a roof box on a Merc saloon?

 

[OlafMaxwell]

I travel to France every year, roof boxes are very normal there.

I have a Karrite, side opening box, slightly rectangular, about 450 litre size. Two locks, opens on passenger side, hinges on driver side. I bought it ex hire from a local hire shop. You can probably get them in most camping/caravan/motorhome shops, eg Bestbuys I think it is in Wellingborough but to be honest E bay is as a good as any. I did see Paddy Hopkirk ones advertised, including delivery. You can buy spares too, hinges, locks etc if they go wrong, all very cheap. I end up at 1.80m high with the box on so the car still fits in car parks and car ferries. Other makes are Thule but I have a feeling it would be worth going to a Decathlon shop [decathlon.com or decathlon .co.uk], there is one in Nottingham and they do internet mail order. I did notice in France that these things are vastly cheaper over there. Squarish shapes are good for some child buggies but you need to check out the folded length. If you like to carry a bicycle as well the longer narrow boxes are better. I used the box on the Peugeot 405 without any problem and covered many motorway miles in England, France and Spain.

Roof bars can be got at Halfords or at camp shops, budget for locking ones that can't be simply unscrewed. The Halfords ones have optional locks. I did buy another roof box recently, ex display for ?150 [about £105] to use with an Erde 142 trailer which I also use. They have a thing in France for using roof boxes on these trailers, its a dream if you like camping or do a lot of activities with kids. These trailers store standing on theri end and take up very little room, can be lifted into tight spaces.

I don't find any problem with handling or windage or crosswinds but I would expect an increase in fuel consumption at higher speeds. The roof box holes are premarked and roof bar positions are set by the car manufacturer so the balance should be ok as long as the box is not seriously overloaded. Loadings vary up to a max of about 75kg including box and bar weight.

www.indespension.co.uk

www.decathlon.com

www.halfords.co.uk

 

[angus falconer]

Thanks Olaf - will go investigate and let you know how I get on.

 

[angus falconer]

I think I have found the answer - happened to glance left whilst driving through Chiswick and there was a whole display of roof boxes outside a branch of Halfords.

I'll go and have a look when I get a spare hour or so.

I'll ask if they do ex-display for a discount while I am at it.