One main concern I have is that I would like to remove the roof rack when not in use. How hard is it to install, remove and reinstall the roof rack?
I can confidently assert it to be very easy, although I've never done it...... If you can assemble a piece of Ikea furniture, you can do this blindfolded.
Ha, Whispbar designers are much more fiendish than Ikea designers! I hate to contradict my Alaskan friend but it took 90 minutes to install on my own. Having done it once I think it can be done in ~20-25 minutes as a one person job. Removal is more like a ~10-15 minute job. Here's several tips which should make it much easier for you than my first attempt:
The connectors that screw into the car roof fittings are extremely fiddly and you have to use the allen wrench at an angle. Orient them so that the tabs are towards the outside of the car and pull up very slightly on the rubber gasket (inside the roof channel) so that it is free and not squashed down by the connectors.
The rubber feet that raise the bar high enough for the pano roof are referred to in the instructions as being labelled "A" and "B"; it took me a few minutes to realize that the part actually numbered "23
5-A" was part "A" and the part numbered "23
6-A" was actually part "B" (see next pic). The two parts A and part B are not front and back but go diagonally opposite each other. There is a useful diagram in the instructions showing this.
It was after this part that I decided some photos would be helpful on TMC.....
It took me a little while to figure out the correct width setting. Flip the bars over (the bars are marked "front" and "rear") and you can see the setting holes, adjust the length to 3 holes showing on each side and you'll be spot on! The setting is the same front and back:
Note that the end caps are left/right oriented; keeping them on the correct side of the car will save time:
The instructions tell you to push out the fitted connector piece and replace it with the special ones provided. Yeah right! I'm no weakling but after skinning my thumbs on the first one, it took a trip to my workbench and a sharp tap with a hammer to dislodge the next three. I was scared of breaking the base but these things really didn't come out easily:
The instructions tell you to replace those you just removed with the new supplied ones.....Ok, the inserts for Model S are easy to fit but do fall out quite easily and after crossing to the other side of the car a few times and cursing once or twice I realized that it was just as easy to line up the bars and drop them in afterwards:
Tighten those little wingnuts alternately back and forth; what I mean is, don't tighten one side all the way and then cross to the other side. Tightening one side first pulls the bar across just slightly enough to make the other side an uneven fit; there's no alternative to a few trips back and forth walking around your car (unless you've got an assistant!). This is what the fitting (without end cap) should look like:
When replacing the end caps you need to simultaneously push down the rubber insert so the the guide mechanism slides into the aluminum channel but over the top of the rubber:
If you've done the job correctly, these should be the pieces you have left over:
Here's the finished job:
Pano roof opens fine:
And 100% open:
Note about noise...there's noticeable wind noise above about 50mph; it's not really disturbing, but you will notice the sound without an engine to mask it.
Other notes: I used the 3M body protection tape but I guess I'm going to remove that when I take the rack off again (the tape isn't pretty). Actually, the rubber on the feet is nice and soft and I doubt that the tape is really necessary. Also tear off the clear plastic protection film that's on the bars
before you mount them on the car; I'm 6' but found myself leaning across the dusty car to tear that stuff off. If you've got an assistant or a compliant spouse the job could be done much quicker.
Finally, I'm going to leave the rack on the car for a day or two while I move my kayak from the yacht club but I'll admit that both my wife and I think it spoils the sleek lines of the car. It's going to be a useful rack and it feels solid and well made.
Oh, I hope the above notes and photos help you. If you're just following the instructions alone as I did you'll likely also end up considering applying for the English copywriters job at Yakima.....