Roof Rail

[andy203]

Considering adding roof rail to the car? Does anyone have them fitted, if so do they add to wind noise or have Audi got the design spoyt on?

 

[CraigI]

I've got them, no wind noise.

Purely a cosmetic thing for me, Sportback looks unfinished without, silver also combines well with the grill and wing mirrors (on the S3).
Might one day use it for bike carrying though.....

 

[andy203]

I've got them, no wind noise.

Purely a cosmetic thing for me, Sportback looks unfinished without, silver also combines well with the grill and wing mirrors (on the S3).
Might one day use it for bike carrying though.....

Thanks, would want for occasional use of roof box on trips over to Europe.

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

the rails themselves offer no wind noise.
the cross bars and any attachments will inevitably add wind noise though. especially in windy conditions.
however, because rails were available was THE reason we selected the S3. we need the ability to transport bikes and skis.

 

[andy203]

the rails themselves offer no wind noise.
the cross bars and any attachments will inevitably add wind noise though. especially in windy conditions.
however, because rails were available was THE reason we selected the S3. we need the ability to transport bikes and skis.

Thanks for that, can not see pics of the Audi cross bars are they square profile or wing shaped? Or did you get cross bars from non Audi source?

 

[Daz Auto]

Does anyone know if these can be added to the car after delivery?

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

whispbar look the most sleek / aero. Thule now manufature a wing bar. Audi's bars are simple aero design.

 

[andy203]

whispbar look the most sleek / aero. Thule now manufature a wing bar. Audi's bars are simple aero design.

Has anybody got Cross Bars for their car, if so are they Audi? Thule? Or Whispbar? What did they cost and where did you get them from if not the Audi Cross Bars. Also are the easy to fit to the Rail system.

 

[leosayer1]

You don't need rails to add a roof rack. Thule do fittings which attach directly to the roof.

 

[jongeddes]

Don't think you can add the roof rails afterwards, I looked at several used cars without and was told by the dealer they are bolted to the frame so cannot be retro fitted. You can get normal bars with foot pack though if you don't use them very ofter.

 

[andy203]

Don't think you can add the roof rails afterwards,.

Got the rails fitted to car - looking for the Cross Bars to attach to the rail system.

 

[MatthewB]

I have Thule wingbars (not edge) and they're pretty quiet without the bike carriers or anything else on. That said, I was a bit disappointed the feet don't have anything to locate into the holes on the rails, which makes taking them off and on more of a faff as you have to visually try and make sure everything is square-on, and measure the distance between the bars.

For anyone with the Audi crossbars, presumably those feet do quickly locate into the correct places on the bars? How are they generally in terms of ease of installation/removal, and noise? I'm assuming they have a T-track that will take Thule accessories?

It's a bit of a shame they don't seem to have any literature anywhere explaining how they actually work (which is why I went for Thule initially).

 

[SilureMark]

I wonder how many people have had them speced on their car but will never actually use them? Hands up here as I have gone for that on my S3 - just looked good in black on the glacier, so hey, I added them to the spec.

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

They are the only reason I bought an s3 ! We need rails for a host of sports and transportation. Also need a car that could slot into a single 2m garage entrance.
afaik there's not another car on the market that allows su5 secs to 60, a proper double clutch gearbox and roof rails at the s3 dimensions. Amg45 fails on the roof bars, what else is there .
subaru don't even do a turbo nutter sti with rails nor do Mitsubishi. It's a market segment untouched afaik.

 

[MatthewB]

They are the only reason I bought an s3 ! We need rails for a host of sports and transportation. Also need a car that could slot into a single 2m garage entrance.

Did you get with the official Audi cross-bars then? How are they for taking off & on?

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

Did you get with the official Audi cross-bars then? How are they for taking off & on?

Pick up on 1st March. Audi bars included in deal FOC.

 

[PilotAudi]

Tried the bars off our previous 8P Audis and they seem to fit ok.