Roof rack?

You don't indicate the car you drive. However, most of my reading shows one of two actions by other owners.

1. Buy the whole benz unit - carrier and top piece. The owner reviews of the benz unit have been favorable.

2. Buy the benz basic carrier and another manufacturer's add-on part. I believe many winter sports folks have added Thule racks to the carrier.

Your local bike/ski shop can better tell you if they have systems to fit your specific vehicle. As of September, no bike rack manufacturer made something for the C230 Coupe (at least not to attach to the hatch). This was per a bike shop I visited.

I would reccomend buying the MB roof bars at the very least. They look good (as good as roof bars can) and as you will see they really are very specifically shaped for the car. Also, haven't seen any other product advertised to fit the C coupe. If you prefer to get other brands of components that fit onto the MB roof bars then go for it. I will probably get some sort of roof box for extra luggage space at some stage and imagine that another brand will be cheaper than benz.

I use the old Yakima racks, check the pics of it in Photo Gallery (if they are showing up).

The cross bars mount on the rain gutters, no problems with the chrome, been running it for 5+ years with racks.

NOTE: Use caution when driving into the garage with the bikes.