Time for a new NX?

[AlanHi]

Hi All,

Long time lurker and owner and finally crawling out from under my rock to ask a question! 

I have had a 2015 F-Sport for about 5 years now and love it.  I am looking to refresh to another F-Sport (Takumi pack) or a Takumi which both come with the panoramic roof.

I use my NX to transport my canoe and the ability to fit roofbars will actually determine if I go ahead with this refresh or go for something else.  As you all probably know, the non-pan models have flush fitted roofrails and roofbars fit great.  With the pan roofs I suspect I will be stuck with a clamp system that clamps around the bodywork which is ok too.  The Lexus dealer has not been terribly helpful saying that they have no options and don't really discuss 3rd party options which is completely understandable.

There may be a solution from Yakima here but it is listed as unavailable, have pinged both the roofbox coy and Yakima for more info. 

 You know what is coming now don't you?  😉   Has anyone got a roofbar solution for an NX with a pan roof?  Like actually got one working?

Thanks!

Alan

 

[Spacewagon52]

I believe the consensus of opinion is that it is not advisable to fit roof bars to a car with a Pan roof. Some have but by all accounts I would not do it - hence I would not buy a RX or NX with a pan roof. Just my opinion others may differ.

[subria88]

Seems like a large risk to take with large objects atop a large piece of glass.

Perhaps worth trying to track down an example with just the sunroof fitted?

[Spacewagon52]

7 hours ago, subria88 said:

Seems like a large risk to take with large objects atop a large piece of glass.

Perhaps worth trying to track down an example with just the sunroof fitted?

In agree but it is your choice.

[royoftherovers]

26 minutes ago, Spacewagon52 said:

In agree but it is your choice.

https://bestroofbox.com/beginners-guides/can-i-put-a-roof-box-on-a-panoramic-roof-this-could-save-you-money/

[Spacewagon52]

7 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

https://bestroofbox.com/beginners-guides/can-i-put-a-roof-box-on-a-panoramic-roof-this-could-save-you-money/

Lexus, I believe, don't recommend fitting a roof box.

[AlanHi]

9 hours ago, Spacewagon52 said:

I believe the consensus of opinion is that it is not advisable to fit roof bars to a car with a Pan roof. Some have but by all accounts I would not do it - hence I would not buy a RX or NX with a pan roof. Just my opinion others may differ.

I don't understand why.  The RX has exactly the same roof rails and their own accessory pages shows a plethora of roof mounted items the majority of which are on a pan roof.  Tellingly, not so much on the NX page.  Thinking an RX may be a decent fallback plan but it's a bit big...

8 hours ago, subria88 said:

Seems like a large risk to take with large objects atop a large piece of glass.

Perhaps worth trying to track down an example with just the sunroof fitted?

There is zero risk to a pan roof from loading a canoe, the canoe is simply too big to get it to impact the glass, the bodywork outside of the roof rails is more at risk.  Canoes are either loaded from the side with the boat horizontal at all times or from the rear and fed over the bars again horizontal, you'd need to go some to make any contact.

[Spacewagon52]

Looks like you have made your decision - hope it works out for you. Personally I need to fit a roof boot, but I will not be buying a car with a pan roof just to be on the safe side.

[AlanHi]

Ha, not really David!  Am waiting to hear what the roof bar supplier says before making a decision as Yakima do seem to do the clamp mounts.  If I can get bars to fit a pan NX then I'll go for that.  If not then an RX is an option but too big and too expensive for what I need so maybe folding back to a Mazda CX-5 but that doesn't really have the same appeal...

I totally understand your aversion to pan roofs and roofboxes but after 10+ years of loading canoes on cars I don't have the same aversion.

Thanks all for the input, seems like it's still a bit of an unknown.  I'll keep the group updated to what I find out

 

[DanD]

Alan, F-Sport versions with the Takumi pack or the Takumi model come with either the pan roof or a traditional sunroof although the latter is rarer. Cars with the sunroof also have the flush fitted roof rails you are familiar with. Could this be an option for you?

Some examples:
https://usedcars.lexus.co.uk/en/used-lexus/Lexus/NX/300h-25-Takumi-5dr-CVT-Sunroof-vdck3kg
https://usedcars.lexus.co.uk/en/used-lexus/Lexus/Nx-Estate/300h-25-Takumi-Sun-Roof-vdckxu2

[Spacewagon52]

This thread Alan might also be of interest to you.

 

 

 

[AlanHi]

Thanks @DanD that is useful info!  I suspect a Fsport with a sunroof will be like hens teeth but a Takumi may well be an option, thanks for that.

Good info David, I am still staggered that this info is not clearer.  I just went and configured myself an RX with pan roof, roofbars and a couple of bike racks, no issues.  I think a chat with my local lexus rep is on the cards.

[paulrnx]

Mine has a sunroof and roof rails so I could physically fit roof bars and a box. That said, the sunroof does slide outside and above the roof when it slides back so best not to do this. Similar to making sure I don’t open a door at 70 or open a window in a car wash I suppose.

[DanD]

11 hours ago, AlanHi said:

Thanks @DanD that is useful info!  I suspect a Fsport with a sunroof will be like hens teeth but a Takumi may well be an option, thanks for that.

Good info David, I am still staggered that this info is not clearer.  I just went and configured myself an RX with pan roof, roofbars and a couple of bike racks, no issues.  I think a chat with my local lexus rep is on the cards.

You could also call different dealerships and see if you get the same answer.

[Martynt74]

Out of interest what roof racks do you have for your NX? The lexus salesman suggested i don't get the official ones as they're no better than some third party ones.

I've always used the soft racks for my paddleboards so never bought proper bars before.

[AlanHi]

21 hours ago, Martynt74 said:

Out of interest what roof racks do you have for your NX? The lexus salesman suggested i don't get the official ones as they're no better than some third party ones.

I've always used the soft racks for my paddleboards so never bought proper bars before.

I currently have Thule but if I am completely honest, I preferred the Yakima Whispbars I had on my Q7.  Sometimes, depending on the wind direction crossing the car when at speed there is a little noise.  It's a low rush, not a whine or whistle and you don't notice it with some music on.  I've lived with it for 5 years so obviously not that bad.  I never had that with the whispbars. 

You can choose from here Roofbox linky.  If they had the whispbars available when I bought the car or indeed if they were available now I would plump for them.    No affiliation with the roofbox guys, I just like them, their service and responsiveness is great, the folks there told me this week that it'd be 8+ weeks until they were in stock again. 😞

The set up I have is;

1 x Thule (252) Rapid System Fixpoint XT low feet (4) no. 753 (Lexus NX (2014 onwards) )

1 x Thule Rapid Railing adapter kit no. 4060 (Lexus NX (2014 onwards) )

1 x Thule (88) Rapid System 118cm WingBars (2), black, no. 961B (Lexus NX (2014 onwards) )

 

These are through bars rather than flush bars as although they don't look as sleek you get more real estate (roof box and a couple of bikes if you watch your roof loading weight)

 

Hope this helps

[Martynt74]

Perfect thanks. With it only being a single paddleboard i think i'll go with the flush bars. Will see if i can see those Yakima ones knocking about anywhere. I was going to go with the soft racks, but with the roof side rails i assume they won't work well.

[AlanHi]

Hi All,

Just closing off on this saga after visiting the 2 scottish dealers and looking at a bunch of 2015-2021 NXs and RXs

Roofbars - NX needs the roof rails for them to fit so no pan roofs.  Sunroofs are ok.  I looked closely at fitting the clamp style but the pan roof comes right to the edge of the door frame so there would be very little metal between the clamp of the roofbar and the seal of the glass and tbh, I was not comfortable with that set up (even if they were available to buy)  It would maybe be fine but with 30/40kg on there there isn't much metal to resist flexing.  Lexus themselves don't recommend fitting to pan  roofs.  Nothing new there.

Towbar - yes they can be fitted but their load rating is miserable but gets better with the new model

I went for an RX 🙂