BMW X5 E70 with Menabo Jackson roof bars and Menabo Diamond 500 roof box

This BMW X5 E70 received Menabo Jackson roof bars and a Menabo Diamond 500 Black roof box from us, a very long box of over 200 cm. The fitting was done by the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom team, which you can now find at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

About the car: BMW X5 E70 (2006-2013)

The E70 is the second-generation BMW X5, built from July 2006 to July 2013 on the BMW L4 platform. It is a 5-door SUV with 5 seats, or 7 as an option, and in 2010 it had the LCI facelift, launched at the New York Auto Show in April 2010.

This car also has raised roof rails, with a gap between the rail and the roof, and the Jackson roof bars attach to them. For a 500-litre box, the roof limit is the figure that matters: the official BMW technical data for the X5 xDrive30d and xDrive40d E70 LCI (from 9/2011) give a maximum roof load of 100 kg. For an X5 from before the facelift or with a different engine, confirm the exact value in the car's manual.

What we fitted on this BMW X5

On top of the Menabo Jackson bars we fixed the Menabo Diamond 500 Black roof box. The product page classes it as a very long box, over 200 cm, and the volume reaches 500 litres.

The box is made of glossy black ABS plastic, has an integrated lock and opens on one side only (the right). It is fixed with 20 mm T-track fittings in the channel of the bars, and the product page states direct compatibility with the Jackson bars. The Diamond 500 is TÜV and City Crash tested and approved.

Video: Menabo Diamond roof box at a glance

Video: What the Menabo Diamond roof box looks like

Technical details and what to watch for

• Menabo Diamond 500 Black: 500 litres, maximum load 75 kg, box weight 19.6 kg.
• Calculation: 19.6 kg for the box plus 75 kg of luggage makes 94.6 kg on the bars; add the weight of the Jackson bars and keep the total below the capacity of the bars and below the 100 kg in the BMW data for the X5 E70 LCI.
• Single-side opening (right), 20 mm Quick Fix T-track system included, optional Quick Fix clamp (art. 000082500000).
• As it is a long box, check that it does not hit the open tailgate of the X5: position it further forward on the bars before tightening.
• With the bars and box on the roof, the car is taller: watch out for underground car parks, car washes and garages.
• The Diamond 450L/500L fitting instructions and specifications are in PDF on the product page.

Instructions and documents

• MENABO DIAMOND 450 500 Fitting instructions Compressed (PDF)
• Specifications – Menabo Diamond (PDF)
• Specifications 2 – Menabo Diamond (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

Which large roof box fits the BMW X5 E70?

On a BMW X5 E70 with Menabo Jackson bars we fitted the Menabo Diamond 500 Black roof box, with 500 litres and a length of over 200 cm. It is fixed with 20 mm T-track fittings and the Quick Fix system.

How much weight does the Menabo Diamond 500 roof box take?

The Menabo Diamond 500 Black takes a maximum of 75 kg of luggage, and the empty box weighs 19.6 kg. Together that makes 94.6 kg on the roof bars, not counting the weight of the bars.

Which side does the Menabo Diamond 500 roof box open on?

The Menabo Diamond 500 Black roof box opens on one side only, the right. If you want access from both sides, the Menabo Diamond DUO has dual-side opening.

Do roof bars make noise on a BMW X5 with a roof box?

Any accessory on the roof changes the aerodynamics of the car, so a slight whistle can also appear on the BMW X5 E70. Menabo recommends not exceeding 130 km/h with the roof bars fitted. We explain the causes and what you can do in the guide why roof bars make noise while driving.

We are waiting for you in the showroom

You can see the Menabo Diamond roof boxes fitted and open in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania. Until then, take a look at the roof boxes and at the roof bars that we have available. You can also reach us here: contact us through our contact page or at [email protected].

You can also message us on WhatsApp.

Sources: BMW X5 (E70), Wikipedia · BMW Media Information 9/2011, BMW X5 xDrive30d, xDrive40d, technical data · Photo of the fitting: BMW X5 E70 with raised roof rails · SuportBicicleta.ro guide: why do my roof bars make noise while driving · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro