For your situation, I gotta be honest... I was *so* disappointed with the official Mercedes bars. I've been driving EVs for a decade and the OEM ones for the EQS just felt clunky and loud, plus they're overpriced. Since you're worried about efficiency (I feel u, the range anxiety is real), I highkey recommend looking at the Thule WingBar Edge 959x Crossbar System.

I've tested a few setups over the years and this one is basically the gold standard for being quiet. Honestly, you're gonna lose maybe 5-8% efficiency at highway speeds depending on your cargo box, but the bars alone are pretty much silent. You can usually find the set for around $600-700, which is a steal compared to the dealer prices. Plus, they sit low and flush so they actually look like they belong on a luxury SUV. Just make sure you get the right fit kit for the flush rails. gl with the ski trips!! 👍

Honestly, if youre trying to save some cash without losing that sleek look, skip the overpriced OEM stuff. In my experience, the Whispbar Flush Bar Roof Rack System is the way to go for the EQS. Its literally the quietest setup Ive ever used. Basically, it sits lower than the Thule stuff, so you dont get that annoying whistle at 70mph. Plus, its wayyy more aerodynamic which helps with that mi/kWh drag. Youll probably still lose maybe 5-8% range, but thats better than the 15% I saw with bulkier racks!

yo, jumping in here cuz I totally feel u on the safety concerns when hauling gear on an EV! Honestly, I'm a total safety nerd when it comes to my EQS SUV, and you gotta be careful with weight distribution on that glass roof.

Check out the Thule WingBar Edge Roof Rack System for a super secure, low-profile fit. It's way more aerodynamic than the OEM bars and the torque-limiting keys ensure you dont over-tighten and damage the rails!

Comparison-wise:
- Thule WingBar Edge: PROS: Amazing safety tech, quietest on highway. CONS: Pricey.
- Yakima JetStream with SightLine Towers: PROS: Very sturdy for heavy ski boxes, easy to adjust. CONS: Sits a tiny bit higher than Thule.

Pro tip: there's a great resource at the 'EQS Forum' or 'MBWorld' where people post actual kWh hit data. Basically, you're looking at a 5-10% range drop, but seriouslyyy, just watch your speed and it's fine!! gl! 👍

Sooo, I actually had the exact same panic before our first trip to the mountains! I ended up nerding out on the tech specs cuz I was terrified of losing like 30% of my range. Pro tip: you gotta check out the "Out of Spec Studios" YouTube channel—they did a deep dive on EV roof accessories that was honestly a lifesaver.

I went with the Yakima Aero ThruBar Crossbars instead of the OEM ones and the difference in wind noise is HUGE. Seriously, they’re so much quieter at 75mph. Basically, you want something with an airfoil shape to keep that EQS drag coefficient low. Also, check out Thule Motion XT XL Rooftop Cargo Box if ur worried about efficiency; it's low-profile and didn't tank my miles per kWh nearly as much as I expected! GL with the ski season!! 👍

ngl i have tried almost every rack system over the years and i totally agree with what was said about the OEM bars... they are definitely not worth the premium for an EV. If you want a fresh alternative to the usual Thule or Yakima stuff, you should really look into the Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar Black 2 Bar Roof Rack. It has a super low profile that sits almost flush with the rails, which is huge for keeping that EQS drag coefficient as low as possible. I actually paired mine with an Inno Phantom 2029 Cargo Box and the wind noise was barely noticeable even at 75mph. Most people forget the box shape matters as much as the bars for efficiency. The Inno has a much slimmer, more angular profile than some of the bulkier boxes, which fits the EQS aesthetic way better imo. Just be prepared for roughly a 0.4 mi/kWh drop depending on the wind... but thats basically the price of a family trip!