So as part of a claim on my insurance, I am getting a new roof rack and bike rack. The (car) insurance company knows nothing about bikes, but they assure me that the BMW rack is ‘compatible’. I understand that Thule manufacture the racks for BMW, but are they simply restickered? Basically I just want the same again but I don’t want some rubbish overpriced BMW-brand one that the insurer thinks is ‘better’ because of the BMW logo.

The ones in this picture do look a lot like a 591, though.
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/accessories/accessoryfinder/finder.html?proDsId=4565

I’m already slightly miffed that the replacement roof bars don’t look as sleek as the Thule Wingbar Edge they replaced, but I’ve already kicked up a lot of fuss about the bike carrier and to be honest I’m probably just going to sell the lot when it arrives anyway…

So should I accept the BMW alternative or insist on one with a Thule logo on it?

I have a 2011 3 series Tourer and bought genuine roof bars.

They are quite loud compared to the ‘Whispbars’ that I had on m Jeep.

Very good quality though but in the future I would go for an aero/wing profile.