Roof Rack Questions

[B6UltraSport]

I am looking into buying a roof rack so I can throw my skis on top of the car. I am looking at the Audi factory base carrier bars. Then I think I am going to go with a Thule rack ontop of that. is it worth spending the extra $$ to get the factory audi part rather than one of these other "universal"parts? Are there any other suggestions for base carrier bars?? Any input is appreciated.

[EBG 18T]

i went with the regular Thule kit. The bracket that attaches to the car actually has a peg that fits in the hole in the door frame. I like this idea/design better than some of the others. I use the Thule base rack and the Thule Atlantis 1600 box for my skis & boards. I don't like my gear just sitting out there getting covered in road salt and crap.

The OEM kit is nice, but depending on what 'add-ons' you plan to use you may need to buy adapters.

Thule 400xt

Thule Atlantis 1600 Box

[B6UltraSport]

Thanks for the input. Anyone else??

[EuroTrash A4 NY]

here is everythng you will need from yakima

Yakima Q Tower rack $150
48” crossbars $65
Q5 Clips (2) $70
44” Fairing $65
Big Powderhound $129
Lock cores (4) $45

the big powder hound holds 4 boards or 6 pairs of skis i believe

[4Rings3Liters]

For that price I would rather just pull out the ski bag and throw them in the back.

[sambrody44]

I agree with Sick B6 on the set up. The OEM rack, I'm pretty sure, is a glorified Thule, therefore not worth the extra money. Even if I'm wrong and its isn't a glorified Thule, it still is not worth it. The Yakima and Thule racks work the same as OEM.

[A4Avant02]

Why buy an OEM rack and have only the Audi dealer to support it? Yak and Thule parts can be found at many more locations.

[KevinS4]

I used the Yakima on my B5 S4 and now have a Yakima on my B6 S4 Avant and it works great.
I would go with either the Yakima or the Thule.

[GrisAudiB6]

I bought the Thule Aero kit and i love it... it has the black and silver cross bars, not the plane black square ones... And they finally came out with a fairing that fits the aero bars as well. I got a good deal on it.. i think i bought the base bars and fit kit from sports authority, then found another store that had the snowboard attachment for 10-15 less.. id post a pic of my setup for you now, but its dark out and i dont think it would come out good.

The oem setup looks really nice too because the load bars end right at the brackets that attach to the roof, unlike the thule setup that still extends a few inches out. I still love the thule setup though and im really satisfied with it