Roof rails question

48834 Views 25 Replies 12 Participants Last post by jpeppy, May 23, 2022

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · Oct 22, 2015

Has anyone installed a set of factory Land Rover roof rails on their DS ?

I am looking at buying a DS from a dealer and they said the roof rails are not user installable parts.

I looked at the roof and found plastic parts covering the rail mounting points.

My dealer wants to charge me $1260 to have a set of aluminum roof rails installed onto the DS when it is delivered this weekend.

I can get a set for $499 at Niello Land Rover.
I have my own cross bars that will mount my ski racks so that's not the problem - the rails that run from front to back are the issue.

So can I do the install ???

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

davez26

· #2 · Oct 22, 2015

I am guessing you have a pano roof. MSRP parts appx $554. That difference to $1260 represents labor. The fitting guide on Topix shows .75 hrs for install. (you can look up the install instructions googling Topix, and follow through to the roof rails).
Something doesn't add up here.
There is no dealer specific issues on this install.
Maybe 3/5 on the davez26 technical scale.
If pumping gas is a challenge, NO.
If you can install a light switch, or build a gate for a fence, you could do this.
Can you replace the clutches in an auto transmission? - overqualified.
Sorry for short answers - at work.

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 23, 2015

davez26 said:
I am guessing you have a pano roof. MSRP parts appx $554. That difference to $1260 represents labor. The fitting guide on Topix shows .75 hrs for install. (you can look up the install instructions googling Topix, and follow through to the roof rails).
Something doesn't add up here.
There is no dealer specific issues on this install.
Maybe 3/5 on the davez26 technical scale.
If pumping gas is a challenge, NO.
If you can install a light switch, or build a gate for a fence, you could do this.
Can you replace the clutches in an auto transmission? - overqualified.
Sorry for short answers - at work.

I LOVE IT! Well said!!!!

Very well said on the installation complexity.

Yes, I have the pano roof so I don't need the ditch fittings kit, saving me $500.

Since I am leasing, I will do the install myself, save $600 in labor and take them off when I return it!

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 23, 2015

Wow, I love Topix!
Step by step installation instructions plus diagrams !

Thanks - will be installing my own...

LAF0373_1E - Roof Rails VPLCR0132 / 3 VPLCR0136 / 7 VPLCR0134 / 5 | TOPIx

davez26

· #5 · Oct 23, 2015

I should add that .75 represents the time that LR estimates for a trained tech, familiar with the vehicle, etc - Your time will vary - probably by double - and that is okay.
Again, not impossible, just be cool with it.

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 23, 2015

davez26 said:
I should add that .75 represents the time that LR estimates for a trained tech, familiar with the vehicle, etc - Your time will vary - probably by double - and that is okay.
Again, not impossible, just be cool with it.

With the dealer installing a $465 set of rails for a total quoted by sales: $1260 !

But why charge $800 for labor to install a set of rails ???

If my math is correct, then it would take one tech 8 hours to install it ???
Or 2 techs half a day to install ?

I will do it myself and pick up my rails from my dealer tonight when I pick up the DS - the parts dept has agreed to match Niello Land Rover in Northern California - Whoo hoO!

davez26

· #7 · Oct 24, 2015

The roof rails don't include the crossbars, and maybe those were quoted with - which makes more sense, should have thought of that before. $554 + 466 = 1020. This makes a little more sense, $240 difference for the labor. Total time is 1.1, so still a little pricey.
MSRPs from Land Rover USA website BTW.

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 25, 2015

Finally found out where to get my roof rails: Niello Land Rover in Rocklin, CA:

Black Roof Rails - with Pano roof

$465 is a deal !

Topix page to install step by step means I will do the instalL!

oneplusinc

· #9 · Oct 26, 2015

I just installed my rails this morning - very easy. My dealer wanted $450 for labor.

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 26, 2015

oneplusinc said:
I just installed my rails this morning - very easy. My dealer wanted $450 for labor.

Ha!
I thought so - the dealer told me it requires special tools for the install and will void the warranty if I install it myself.

Now I know better!

thanks!

Reactions: 1

oneplusinc

· #11 · Oct 26, 2015

Here is a pic...

See less See more

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 26, 2015

oneplusinc said:
Here is a pic...

Oh that is beautiful - car and rails - go well together.

Which cross rails did you use ???:nerd:

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 30, 2015

I just ordered a set of Roof Rails for the DS.

$465 plus $30 shipping = very good price!

From Niello Land Rover in northern California.

Retails for $671.
My local dealer quoted $555.

With the Pano roof, no ditch fasteners need to be ordered

Niello Land Rover Roof Rails for Pano roof - Black rails

See less See more

ddogg227

· #14 · Nov 15, 2015

hey guys, these roof rails and cross bars look so slick! i am waiting for delivery of my disco. i ordered mine with a pano roof. how does it look from the inside with the cross bars? i picked the pano room for the open air feeling and view. do the cross bars constrain that view? is it pretty easy to attach and remove the cross bars?

my main needs for the roof rack are:
- surf board
- snowboard and skis

advice?

DrJJC

· #15 · Jan 8, 2016

I got the roof rails and aqua sport carrier for my surfboard and SUP. I had them installed as part of my purchase of my 2016 Disco. Funny thing is they came with no instructions and I really can't figure it out. I also went to remove the C shaped holders that are the aqua sport carier and the rubber center of the crossbars is gone from that side so it can be installed. I feel like something is wrong here. Anyone else have any advice ot similar experience?

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 8, 2016

ddogg227 said:
hey guys, these roof rails and cross bars look so slick! i am waiting for delivery of my disco. i ordered mine with a pano roof. how does it look from the inside with the cross bars? i picked the pano room for the open air feeling and view. do the cross bars constrain that view? is it pretty easy to attach and remove the cross bars?

my main needs for the roof rack are:
- surf board
- snowboard and skis

advice?

The view is not obstructed much at all when the cross bars are installed.
But if you put on a surfboard then I would imagine the view would be obstructed.

I use mine for winter skis and spring/summer/fall fly fishing rods so it does not block much of a view when the sun shade is pulled all the way back...

ASPEGIX

· #17 · Mar 10, 2017

Why would you need roofrails to begin with?
Woulndt a Thule universal solution like the one for evoque wwork? Thule 1663 Rapid System

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 10, 2017

Roof rails keeps the "feet" of your cross rails off the body.

The Thule pack places a clamp that grips the body and can lead to chunks of paint being scraped off over time. The foot packs goes directly onto the paint above the door frame.

Have you seen sedans with 4 paint chunks missing from the top pillar where the foot packs have rested?

Not a pretty sight but then it's your car....

MSWDISCOEPH2015

· #19 · Apr 17, 2017

oneplusinc said:
Here is a pic...

Is this the part you ordered from LR Rocklin?

Part Number: VPLCR0137

looks sick! want it on my car!

4sallypat

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 29, 2017

MSWDISCOEPH2015 said:
Is this the part you ordered from LR Rocklin?

Part Number: VPLCR0137

looks sick! want it on my car!

Yes from Niello.

Different p/n- mine was black with pano roof rails:
Stock# VPLCR0136 (1.3)
Name: Black Roof Rails (Panoramic All Glass Roof)

Your p./n is silver rails for a pano roof.

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

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