September 26, 2010
Rack Attack Team
A gentleman came in recently with a very classy looking vehicle...a 2010 Mercedes E550 sedan. His request? A rack system that didn't scream "rack". Our answer? The ProRack Whispbar.
The Whispbar setup for this car looks sharp. The clean lines of the aluminum crossbars compliment the vehicle nicely, and the 'flush mount' bar system terminates before the edge of the roof - no ungainly overhang to bump your head into.
And the best part about Whispbar? Even on a modern luxury vehicle like this Benz the racks maintain a whisper-quiet presence. At issue is the fact that automakers make their cars quieter every year - the race is on to show who's car generates the fewest decibels. One of the biggest complaints about roof racks is that they create noise, especially at highway speeds and/or with the sunroof open.
Thankfully, the engineers in New Zealand at ProRack have wind tunnel tested their product after benchmarking brand-T and brand-Y...see for yourself here.
The caveat to the quiet? Adding accessories and gear, such as the Thule 594xt Sidearm and a bike, will likely eliminate the benefits of the Whispbar. There just isn't anything you can do about the noise made by the bike and bike rack...I call that fact "life with a rack". But luckily, the Sidearms (after initial setup) are relatively easy on/off with standard Thule mounting hardware (hidden under the locking cover).
The Whispbar components used in this application include the S26 bars and Fitting Kit 437. Alternately, if you need some extra space, go for the S16 bars which will 'pass-thru' the tower by a couple of inches on each side. Have no fear about your paint or door seals, as this application utilizes the fixed points built into the roof of this Mercedes - also common on other German makes as well as some Japanese cars.
As usual, if you have any questions about this or any other application, don't hesitate to comment on our blog or give us a phone call--503.226.7300. Or check out the other North American Rack Attack stores here.
