I've seen this posted on another forum....

Proline GMR-165 Car Rain Gutter Roof Luggage Racks


Anyone here used one yet? From what I have found through research the Thule 300 series and Yakima gutter mount style will fit the w123 sedans.

Are there other options? I ordered the above linked rack yesterday and will post a review when it arrives. $63 shipped is worth a look.

Looks similar to the Thule. I've used Thule's and Yakima's on 123's.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Looks exactly like a Thule. Chinese knockoff?
I have a Swedish Thule on my '84 TD, provided free by a friend, as his vehicles no longer have roof-gutters. (I did spend an additional $7 at a flea-market, for several extra Thule 'legs', as two of the four my friend gave me were damaged)
I find the Thule-type much more usefull than the TD's chrome factory roof-rack.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

How about a set of these?




Hight have a bit more wind resistance.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

the proline stuff is way closer to the roof than the yakima and thule though. I read that other thread too, the guy who bought it reported far less wind noise. For the price, can't really be beat IMO. The Yakima and Thule stuff is outrageously expensive.

63 bucks is what yakima wants for the bars alone, let alone shipping them. This seems like an excellent deal at a third to a quarter the cost, looking forward to the OPs review

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

I agree Thule and Yakima are expensive. I buy mine used on Craigslist. One advantage of the Yakima round bar is that 1/2" galvanized pipe will slip inside it. So you can buy the pipe, put a cap on the end and have an adjustable extension bar by drilling a hole thru the Yakima pipe and a series of holes thru the galvanized pipe. The Thule bar extensions are chintzy by comparison.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Ive loaded 300lbs of lumber on my rack before when I was building a fence with no problems ,not what it was made for but you can tell good steel from not so good steel ,thule has it were it counts.

Proline is really low priced compared to Thule. Only long term use will show it's weaknesses, if any.

I've had Thule racks for many years. Thule USA made stuff is not the same as Thule Sweden made. I have a Thule Sweden rack bought used for my Jetta and all the hardware is still rust free and looks good. The Thule USA rack that I bought new 15 years ago, the hardware is rusty and paint peeled off the feets and hardware so rusted, locks frozen I had to drill it out.. I went to Thule headquarters (they are pretty close to me) and complained and they gave me new feets and locks. If you can, look for used made in Sweden Thule, much better quality. You should be able to find them cheap used since rain gutter cars have not been made for many years now. Too bad, as rain gutter racks are stronger and can carry more weight..

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I was looking up the Proline roof racks for my car (college student status) and noticed the picture of the yellow W123 on the page.

I couldnt help but notice an extremely similar car is at Pick n Pull right now:


Even down to the red air box and the chrome bumper with no rubber. Just the paint is different. I am close to here, so maybe I will make a trip this weekend, that Grant wheel would be very cool.

http://nast-sonderfahrzeuge.de/MB-Exotenforum/forum_entry.php?id=93657

EDIT: Also, I just ordered a set of the Proline racks. They're mainly for hauling my bike(s) and aesthetic, so I didnt really want to shell out for the Thule ones just for that.

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http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/...ps988ecb84.jpg

1980 240D "Haley" - 266k mi | OM617.952 | 4-speed | Euro Propshaft | 2.88 Rear | Motor Out of Car
1994 E320 "Lauren" - 115k | As stock as they come
2010 Mazda Axela "Grace" - 32k | H&R Lowering Springs | K&N Air Filter

1981 RX7 - Sold and not really missed

Looking for a paint color suggestion for my 240D with Palimono MB-Tex interior!

Pretty sure that is the same car.

I once tried to make a roof rack like you find on air cooled beetles. I might take another crack at it sometime soon. Conduit and Teak wood for the slats would make a very classy rack