2017 A5/S5 Coupe - Roof Bars & Roof Box

[Chimp]

As title says, anyone with the above have any experience.

I have had the roof bars since purchase but I haven't fitted them yet (will do this weekend). I believe the rear bar fixing is under the rear side window trim? I haven't been able to check whilst it's been light as its always dark when traveling to and from work!

Also what size roof box fits? I think a 470l would fit but not sure if it's too big, would this or anything bigger be hit by the boot when opened?

Need something quite long to fit a few snowboards in.

 

[Buck]

A lot of the roof boxes will allow you to adjust the fitting forwards/backwards to adjust for tailgates etc.

I doubt the coupe boot would be an issue.

I’d recommend getting a roof box that opens on both sides to give you the flexibility compared to those with just one sided opening.

 

[Chimp]

thanks for the tips. Just need to work out the fixing the bars under the silver trim without breaking it... :-(

 

[Buck]

I would also get some clear vinyl to put on he roof where the rubber feet will sit. This prevents the paintwork getting scratched/scuffed.

I used to get some clear vinyl body wrap off cuts from my local sign company for a couple of beer tokens.

 

[Audidave69]

Please can you post a pic when fitted
Thanks dave

 

[Chimp]

Great tip with the clear film, managed to order some from amazon. Although it wont turn up until 21st. Will clean, wax then fit clear film on areas prior to fitting bars and see how it goes. Only snowboarding for a week or so. Will also report back with how the bars are fitted and performed.

 

[Chimp]

I went through the process of fitting the roof bars at the weekend. It wasn't as bad as I thought for the front bar, just a but fiddly pulling the silver trim back to expose the "lugs" on the chassis to slide the feet onto and I assume into the correct position?.

The manual didn't appear to show where exactly to place the rear bar and there isn't lugs at the rear and the bar doesn't have the cut outs for lugs anyway. I prized the silver trim back and it appears that nearer the door there is foam in the way, so had to move back to rear of car, a bit further back there are some white clips so could position there so went further back beyond them... it seems level and looks like its correct.

The biggest pain was the rubber strips that slide or pop into the rails. I don't know if its because the strips have been sat in the box in the garage for 18 months but it wouldn't sit flush no matter what I tried. I made sure it was pushed hard into the fitting but it would just pop out further down the rail.

In the end I thought I would tape part of the rubber strip down to "mold" it in shape... looks rubbish and still pops up when driving along causing whistling not impressed.

I might have to tape the entire length of the bar across to try and stop the rubber coming up with the force of the wind whilst driving but it will horrible if the whistling continues on our 12 hour trip :-(

 

[DarkyUK]

@Chimp How did you get on with this? Thinking of adding the rails and a roof box to my S5 Sportback for a trip to Holland with the kids....

 

[Chimp]

So, I managed to obtain a pdf of the manual to install the bars as the one that came in the box had quite small illustrations.

It appears that the rear bars are placed between an area that is marked on the actual glass with small arrows! Never noticed them before lol!

The rubber strips still pop up and make the whistling noise which is annoying.

I have borrowed a roof box of a friend and fitted and this compresses the rubber strips so whistle has stopped thank goodness as I didn’t fancy 12 hours of that racket.

I hear more wind noise which I expected as it s not exactly aerodynamic!! But good news this is only heard above 50mph.

I have attached a few photos showing the overall look and a close up of the rail going behind he rubber.

Must admit I am concerned the rubber won’t go back to normal shape!

If anyone wants more info let me know.

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[DarkyUK]

Yeah, thats my concern (that the rubber won't go back to normal) when I took a look yesterday after looking online at an installation video for the A7, which seems to share the same style of installations, hopefully we are both wrong since its a genuine Audi set of rails.

I think my rear mounting position may be slightly different as I have a sportback.

I'm looking at a Audi Roofbox too as they seem quite reasonable on eBay from some of the dealers.

I'm guessing the Pan Roof remains closed now?

 

[Chimp]

The instructions I have are for Coupe specifically so you are probably right. Maybe the SB has the lugs for the rear?

Correct re PANO it stays closed, seems very strange as there is less light in the cabin now the roof box is on also!


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[Chimp]

Also it might be worth considering renting a roof box I saw a few offering this on EBay. I was going to until a friend offered to lend me his. It varies how much but I have seen 1 weeks rental for around £30 -£40. But it would have been a slight mission collecting the night before departure, then packing on the day (after work). On return driving home unpacking and then later in day dropping roof box back, all in I think I have needed about 10 days hire.

Much better than the £400+ Audi want, even in Halfords they are mega money. Although another friend said buy 2nd hand off ebay is a good idea as you can always sell it once done with it.

 

[Audidave69]

Thanks for the pics and info

 

[DarkyUK]

I'll take you some pics when I fit mine too, i'm probably going to have the 405ltr Audi one, they are pretty cheap on eBay.

 

[DarkyUK]

Well I ended up getting the 405ltr Audi one, if anyone else is looking at the genuine boxes they are a lot cheaper on eBay from Lookers Audi as below, the retail for this one is over £600 and even a part request on here came back at £620 *ouch*

I'll upload some photos when I have fitted it as a test, naturally it will make the car look rubbish but only using it when needed, we have a trip to the airport in April and a trip over to Europe in Aug already booked so it will soon pay for itself.

I got the roof rails (base carrier) from Audi Parts Direct for a good price too, the sportback and coupe have different part codes!

 

[DarkyUK]

The instructions I have are for Coupe specifically so you are probably right. Maybe the SB has the lugs for the rear?

Looking at the rail kit that has turned up I think I have one lung at the rear and two at the front, no instructions in mine though so a couple of quick questions.... how do you know the torque is correct, does the tool click? Also, what's the random piece of plastic for in the tool bag?

I thought the rubbers where wrong at first till I realised they only stayed in place after you had pressed them down, I'll let you know if mine pop up and start whistling too.

 

[Chimp]

Yes, when tightening the bars up with the “T” shaped tool it will eventually click.

The white plastic “card” is to slip behind the rubber seals and pull back towards you so you can place the roof bar on the lugs or in my case he rear ones in the “position” between the arrows on the glass.

It helps with the “clamp” part of the bars to slip in under the rubber seal also helpful to see the lugs.


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[DarkyUK]

Awesome, thanks. Was a brand new box but no instructions that I could see

 

[DarkyUK]

Well this is what the Audi 405l roof box looks like in gloss back with a 20months old child in it and a 5 year old boy playing with the key

I'm impressed with the size, will try it on the roof of the S5 at the weekend, weather permitting!!!

 

[Chimp]

Well, been away for the week in the Alps and roof bars and roof box all stayed in place The rubbers did pop up on the way down and whistled a little at 130kph but B&O soon drowned that out! Then the snow during the week might have weighed down on them and no such issues on the way back.

I managed 30mpg over the entire trip keeping to 130kph and 110kph when raining hard with this costing about £350 mixture of 99 ron and 95 ron from home to resort and back. I suppose it isn't too bad with a big box on the roof and lots of extra weight. Will be taking the roof box and rails off tonight and will see if the rubbers go back to original place

 

[DarkyUK]

I did a little test run the other day with mine and had no issues with the rubbers popping up... This is a very poor picture of what the Audi box looks like on a S5 Sportback, the rubbers where the rails slotted in went back fine but it was only on for a day, won't be back on mine now till April for the airport run and then in Aug for the Centre Parc in Holland run.

 

[Chimp]

That looks cool!

Forgot to mention I arrived in resort with 2 inches of snow and managed to get up to chalet with a little bit of slip just pulling into a parking space.. Quattro with MP4s seemed pretty good.

Driving out of resort with 3-4 inches of fresh snow I used Snow Socks on the front and only needed them for about 1 mile until snow turned into slushy stuff.

My mates 135m struggled getting in and out and had to use Snow Socks all the time

 

[A5Jonny]

So, I managed to obtain a pdf of the manual to install the bars as the one that came in the box had quite small illustrations.

Hi mate, just ordered a set of roof bars for my A5 Coupe, any idea where you found the PDF to install ?

 

[S32B]

Remember to tell your insurance you have one, some companies class it as a mod!!! Same with a bike rack and tow bar...crazy.

 

[A5Jonny]

That seems ridiculous but will get in touch with LV!

 

[A5Jonny]

As its removable no need to for them to log it, happy days.


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[S32B]

As its removable no need to for them to log it, happy days.


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At least you know/covered your rear!