Can roof rails be fitted after purchasing an RS3?

[Alliban]

Hi All,

I cancelled my order on a new RS3 today as I decided I will just buy one second hand in the new year. That leads me to the above question - if I find a car I really like, but it doesn't have rails already fitted on the roof standard from factory, can they be added afterwards by Audi or a third party company? Has anyone had this done?

Not the most exciting of threads, but any help would be appreciated

Thanks,

Karl

 

[-Ju-]

Yes I fitted them to my S3 and also to my previous 8P.
All the mounting points are there you just need the parts and some huge balls lol

 

[AshRS3sportback]

I too wanted the rails on mine, despite have every other extra minus one of my favourites! Ha

Turns out, it’s quite a lot of work, the roof lining all has to come down, and to do that all trim below also has to be removed.

Audi told me that drilling the correct fitting points in the bodywork would void the warranty in terms of body and paint lol

 

[Alliban]

Yes I fitted them to my S3 and also to my previous 8P.
All the mounting points are there you just need the parts and some huge balls lol

Ah ok, thanks Ju.

 

[Alliban]

I too wanted the rails on mine, despite have every other extra minus one of my favourites! Ha

Turns out, it’s quite a lot of work, the roof lining all has to come down, and to do that all trim below also has to be removed.

Audi told me that drilling the correct fitting points in the bodywork would void the warranty in terms of body and paint lol

Right, cheers Ash. Sounds like quite a job. Hopefully I can find a highly specced car with the rails already attached in that case as there is no way I would attempt that myself or want to void the warrantee.

 

[DW81]

Your better off mate. I looked into this but decided against it as the amount of work involved especially as I don’t have a garage to work in was a lot to take on, plus I was quoted £750 just for the roof rails alone.

 

[Alliban]

Your better off mate. I looked into this but decided against it as the amount of work involved especially as I don’t have a garage to work in was a lot to take on, plus I was quoted £750 just for the roof rails alone.

That's a lot of cash to splash out just to carry a few bikes around. I am seeing RS3's out there in the second hand market with rails on them so I guess it will just be a waiting game come the new year.

 

[RGBARGEE]

All our 8P and 8V have had roof bars (including 2016 RS) Sadly my current daily S3 doesn’t have them as it was a rushed purchase of an in stock car. 15% discount and £3k from Audi makes up a bit. You can get a roof rack for the standard roof 8V but not sure I would feel happy putting heavy valuables on them. Fortunately my RS4 has the bars as standard fit.

 

[Hal Adams]

You should be able to get rails on ebay a lot less than £750! Often on ebay at £100 - £200. I paid £100 for mine plus cost of painting. The balancers were another 50 I think. These are the only parts costs. The rest is pure labour in taking out the roof lining - easy but laborious. A garage or car port is helpful, but not necessary.

As for voiding warranty - it is virtually impossible to make a mess of drilling the mounting holes, so once installed I would defy Audi to even notice the retrofit without going through the exact factory spec, something I cannot see a dealer doing.

 

[DW81]

£750 was the price quoted time from Harold wood Audi. I believe that these were £250 option at build stage .

 

[c4pete]

I'm not sure if you want roof rails specifically to carry something or just for the looks... FYI you don't need roof rails to attach roof bars - I have thule roof bars and just bought the foot pack for 'roof without rails' - works perfectly for carrying roof box / bikes etc.

 

[DW81]

Yep agree got a great price for a set of Audi roof bars and their 450L roof box. Roof bars fit perfectly and do not mark the top of roof panel.

 

[VAG_Club001]

Some have just tiger sealed them on, on the assumption it is for astectics rather than functional use

 

[DW81]

Some have just tiger sealed them on, on the assumption it is for astectics rather than functional use

That’s all well and good until some poor sod decides to fit a roof box unbeknown to him.

 

[Phil3]

That’s all well and good until some poor sod decides to fit a roof box unbeknown to him.

If I wanted them for athletical reasons only I’d me more than happy to do it that way

 

[DW81]

Meant to say the new owner of said car was not told about the stuck on rails

 

[VAG_Club001]

That’s all well and good until some poor sod decides to fit a roof box unbeknown to him.

Being an honest gentleman like yourself I’m sure you’d state they were glued on, but undoubtedly as the car passed down thru the food chain I’m sure it would be ‘sold as seen’

 

[T-800]

I'm not sure if you want roof rails specifically to carry something or just for the looks... FYI you don't need roof rails to attach roof bars - I have thule roof bars and just bought the foot pack for 'roof without rails' - works perfectly for carrying roof box / bikes etc.

Christ.....don't say that on here, you'll have the perfect paintwork/detailing police on you.....