RS4 Roof Bar and Box Options? - For FAQ Section

[j1sgo]

Hi All,

With another trip to France coming this year and sporting an additional new family member, i have to get a roof box (we just about managed it last year without the box with only the one kiddy )

I thought it would be helpful to have this thread as a guide to roof rack/box/bike options to then add into the FAQ section after?

I am looking for the best and lowest profile roof bars/box for the rs4, but also want to be able to fit 1nr bike alongside if required in the future. I have searched all relevant posts which got me to this point now

Prorack aero x bars - I like these however think it would be a squeeze for a reasonable size roof box and 1 bike holder? - Photo thanks to Jonesy07. looks to me like a box could fit alongside but i have no proof/photos of this - anyone help?
P.S Can anyone confirm the section size of the bar itself as thule box grab fittings only go up to 80mm wide bars?
http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... woVzVOcSpP

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp21 ... photo2.jpg

Thule A4 specific 757 feet with wing type bars - Photo thanks to Targa27, think this is probably the correct route as it can be used on future cars, is wider etc but not as low profile as the above
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A4-Avant ... 1c286d2d5b

http://forum.rs246.com/download/file.php?id=13980&t=1

Thule more generic 775 feet with wing type bars - these are 2cm lower profile than the 757 which to me which is good, i think these fit the a4 although a bit mor work than the 757's above, however these could be a happy medium between the aero bars and 757's?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thule-Roof-Ba ... 1e6b241467

Ebay slimline jobbies - Not sure i could trust these over the above items so probably ruling them out.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A4-Avant ... 35b957139f

If anyone has any pics of the above combinations or others it would be most helpful.

Thanks

Steve

[ROY]

Don't penny pinch on the bars
OE type are the best fitting
Plenty of used ones on EBay

Regarding a roof box I used a Kamaei Delphin in black.
Good usable size but I don't think you will fit anything along side the roof box.
Got mine from roof box.com think it was around £250 ish
Equally as good quality to a Thule one

[joesnow]

Ebay slimline jobbies - Not sure i could trust these over the above items so probably ruling them out.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A4-Avant ... 35b957139f

Those look like the ones I bought from Lidl for £25. They are a good fit to the roof rails and have never moved when fitted correctly. Had to get a set in a rush so took a punt so I could get some long ladders to site.

I have only used them to carry ladders and my mountain bike on short 10 - 15 mile journeys. Not sure how they would hold up against long journeys but for what I've needed them for they've been fine.

Maybe not for what you need but for others they're handy to keep in the garage just in case.

[Targa27]

I was sorry i didnt go for the aerobar option, but i couldnt get an answer if the box i wanted would fit alongside the bike within the roofrails. It would have!
But i plan to have 2 bikes on there at some stage so im prob better off.
Regarding wind noise etc.... I certainly didnt notice, apart from when going through alpine tunnels... When i put the window down i couldnt really hear the v8 drone over the noise they were making.
But they do look a bit <beep>, Sit very high

[Scotty]

I have the OEM bars. I got them half price off ebay. They had literally been used just once and were like new.

However I wouldn't pay full price for them. They howl when there's nothing on them from about 40mph even with the rubbers in. I only have them on with a top box and then there's no problem.

I got my Kamei box from The Roof Box Company and the service was great as is the box. I went for the painted version and it still looks like new three years on.

Mines the Corvaro 390 Duolift. "Duolift means it opens from either side which is a big advantage. I've always mounted it centrally but it could be slid to the side to get one bike on.
Current car

Previous car

With the box as far back as possible :

it means the front overhang is perfect :


Someone else got a Dolphin 470 and I personally think it's too long for the A4 given the bar separation and length of car. A load in the front would cause sagging and be hard to close.

[Timster]

"kiwirs4" had a nice setup. Can't remember what it was .... but sure to be some photos on here somewhere.
(he had the box colour-coded too)

[j1sgo]

I was sorry i didnt go for the aerobar option, but i couldnt get an answer if the box i wanted would fit alongside the bike within the roofrails. It would have!
But i plan to have 2 bikes on there at some stage so im prob better off.
Regarding wind noise etc.... I certainly didnt notice, apart from when going through alpine tunnels... When i put the window down i couldnt really hear the v8 drone over the noise they were making.
But they do look a bit <beep>, Sit very high

That's where I am now? - would love to see the aero bars with a box and bike holder on!

Scott's - that's a nice looking box, cheers for the pics

[RIV]

Scott's - that's a nice looking box

[Timster]

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... t=roof+box

This is what kiwi did

[psglas]

Thule Spirit box looks great. I have the 780 which is good for 6 pairs of skis.

[Scotty]

I'm glad I didn't colour code my box as I went off the Meteor Grey car colour and got an Aruba Blue instead!

[j1sgo]

Scott's - that's a nice looking box

............anyone else willing to share pictures of their box

[amanda1]

My box but I am a 6
Audi bars and Thule box!

[rpsxr]

ebay bars are fine. just done a 1600mls rountrip to holland with them from scotland. i have a exodus 470 iirc, which is full width so not too much use to you. also from ebay. together total £150!

rgds robert