Crossbars and Ski Rack

[SoCalS4Avant]

You guys running OEM stuff or aftermarket? I'm looking to pick up crossbars and a ski rack, but haven't decided which way to go...been surfing ebay and such. Any other recommendations?

Post any pics if you have them. TIA

[kneel]

You guys running OEM stuff or aftermarket? I'm looking to pick up crossbars and a ski rack, but haven't decided which way to go...been surfing ebay and such. Any other recommendations?

Post any pics if you have them. TIA

I got the new THULE racks. they are nice, but looking for a box to go up top.
Rackattack.com has some good stuff

[Sammy7]

I just picked up some Yakima crossbars and a FatCat 6 for the snowboard. I've had Yakima before and had no complaints so I didn't see the need to try another brand. They're still in boxes but I'll post pics once I install everything.

[SoCalS4Avant]

How's the pricing compare to OEM? You guys compare the two?

What about quality?

[kneel]

How's the pricing compare to OEM? You guys compare the two?

What about quality?

I've always used THULE on all of the cars I've had. There parts are good and there are so many interchanging parts.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Ended up going OEM - base carrier bars and ski rack. Can't beat OEM. I'll post up pics once I've received them and put them on.

[dr.evil]

Ended up going OEM - base carrier bars and ski rack. Can't beat OEM. I'll post up pics once I've received them and put them on.

What was the damage for the set-up? I too prefer OEM. Thanks.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Found a NIB Audi ski rack for $100 on Ebay from a private seller - sold his audi or something, and provided free ship. The crossbars I also got on Ebay from a dealer in Ohio with a store - it was cheaper than any of the parts catalogs I found online - but still wasn't cheap $250 OTD - $350 when all was said an done. I'm happy with that.

[UGwagen]

Yakima setup. got it from www.agees.com

[sliverwagon]

I have a Yakima rack for sale if any one is interested $250



all you would need is a new fairing

[bblume]

thule ftw!

i like thule because it's subtlety and price

[SoCalS4Avant]

^ Yeah, I love your look man...your car is beautiful.

I'm sticking with the "polished silver" look though. We'll see how it all comes together.

[RenoAudiNV]

Check out the thule kits on REI.com

I have thule rack and bars, work like a charm.

[fritzner]

i already have a THULE snowboard attachment that i used with my OEM rack for my sedan.. i really liked it and how it attached flush with T-bolts..

i am planning to go with the THULE 450r crossbars.. they use the aerobars which use the T-bolts and i think the extruded aluminum looks nice..

i would like OEM, but in addition to the B6 Avant i also have a C5 Avant, so i want something that is adjustable so i can throw it on either Avant..

i've seen the THULE 450r + aero crossbars for ~$230 at rackattack.com and REI (if there is a sale)..

would love to see pics of the OEM set up..

also if anyone knows for sure what length THULE aero crossbars are needed for a C5 A6 Avant let me know.. for some reason they dont have the 450r listed for the A6, but they do have it listed for the Allroad.. but it contradicts what a big ebay sell recommends..

[SoCalS4Avant]

I'll definitely post up once I've got it all in place...I'm getting excited seeing all these threads about bars, boxes, and racks! HAHA!

BTW - how's life in PA? Getting adjusted?

[lookaught]

i already have a THULE snowboard attachment that i used with my OEM rack for my sedan.. i really liked it and how it attached flush with T-bolts..

i am planning to go with the THULE 450r crossbars.. they use the aerobars which use the T-bolts and i think the extruded aluminum looks nice..

i would like OEM, but in addition to the B6 Avant i also have a C5 Avant, so i want something that is adjustable so i can throw it on either Avant..

i've seen the THULE 450r + aero crossbars for ~$230 at rackattack.com and REI (if there is a sale)..

would love to see pics of the OEM set up..

also if anyone knows for sure what length THULE aero crossbars are needed for a C5 A6 Avant let me know.. for some reason they dont have the 450r listed for the A6, but they do have it listed for the Allroad.. but it contradicts what a big ebay sell recommends..

Almost certainly the 47", definitely not the 43". You should just measure how wide they are compared to the A4, and if it's close, just get the 47 and see if they work. If you get them from REI you can return them and not even deal with shipping charges with in store pickup. REI is very nice with exchanges, that's how I got my 47" bars and I didnt have a receipt or anything.

Don't trust the Thule website as fact, they had 43" bars listed for a Passat wagon that would not fit. It was a big hassle. I think the 43" were for the sedan and they just applied that size to the wagon without checking.

[blur510]

I just picked up some Yakima crossbars and a FatCat 6 for the snowboard. I've had Yakima before and had no complaints so I didn't see the need to try another brand. They're still in boxes but I'll post pics once I install everything.

same setup I have on my car

[fritzner]

BTW - how's life in PA? Getting adjusted?

TOTALLY miss So Cal..

but its great to be around family and in a house.. the Quattros are finally getting a chance to exercise a bit -- i has snowed just about every day for the past 2-3wks..

i hate to drive the Ultra Sport Avant on the cinder covered roads, but that's why i bought an Audi Quattro..

also we finally met up with our newly acquired C5 A6 Avant here and love it.. it is very similar to the B6, but different enough.. it is much bigger and more comfortable.. i added all-weather mats, weathertech cargo mat, and an RNS-E already.. i'll add some light tint in the spring and it will be a perfect family car.. check my gallery for pics..

thanks for asking..

[fritzner]

Almost certainly the 47", definitely not the 43". You should just measure how wide they are compared to the A4, and if it's close, just get the 47 and see if they work. If you get them from REI you can return them and not even deal with shipping charges with in store pickup. REI is very nice with exchanges, that's how I got my 47" bars and I didnt have a receipt or anything.

Don't trust the Thule website as fact, they had 43" bars listed for a Passat wagon that would not fit. It was a big hassle. I think the 43" were for the sedan and they just applied that size to the wagon without checking.

yeah, the THULE site and ebay both say 47" for the A4 Avant.. THULE doesnt list the 450r for the C5 A6 Avant, but says 47" for the Allroad.. but ebay says 53" for the C5 A6 Avant..

i could always just get the 53" and cut them down to fit the A6.. but if the 47", then that would be less hassle..

i probably will buy them from REI (i love that place).. and that is true exchanges are very easy..

that is a good suggestion to compare the widths of the A6 and A4.. then if someone on here could tell me how much overhang is on the A4 i can see which will work..

[fritzner]

Red Avant S-line FTW!!..

[Silvant]

by saying "ski" racks.... i'm going to guess you were actually rollerblading the web to find some... not actually surfing it.

[CZA420tAvant]

I have used Thule on my last car, loved it and am going to pick up the newer Thule with the aluminum look, hate to have to get the x adapters but whatever they match the car better.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Ok, time to bump because I got to put on my set-up. Sorry for the IPhone pics. I'll take some better ones this weekend hopefully - maybe while up skiing?

Thanks for all the input guys.

[jgood2709]

Wow, definitely looks OEM hah. A perfect match.

[CZA420tAvant]

please tell us where the crossbars came from, they look good, can you use locks with them?

[SoCalS4Avant]

They're AUDI OEM BASE CARRIER BARS. Audi part # 8E9-071-151-A-666. They list for about $300, but I got them for $250. Brand new.

I got them on EBay from Byers Imports. Here's a link to their EBAY STORE.

As for locks with them...I can't say I'm sure. Someone would really have to want to steal them to get them off, and have the right tools. The ski/snowboard racks have locks, which is what really matters to me.

[CZA420tAvant]

^thanks

z

[02SILVANT]

Sorry its kinda a far shot but its the best rack for the money for our avants! IMO

[fritzner]

Ok, time to bump because I got to put on my set-up. Sorry for the IPhone pics. I'll take some better ones this weekend hopefully - maybe while up skiing?

Thanks for all the input guys.

VERY NICE!!..

the THULE 450r is pretty similar..

[fritzner]

Sorry its kinda a far shot but its the best rack for the money for our avants! IMO

which rack is this??..

[02SILVANT]

which rack is this??..

Its the Thule 5401 SnowCat. I picked it up for like $125 at the local ski and snowboard show a few years ago and its kinda universal, but i have used it on several cars. So far it fit the Audi the best. I've used it on Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mercedes ML, and my ride!!!

Personally i think for the money its the best buy and quality is good and you can fit 4 boards or 6 sets of ski's if you do back to back

I looked on ebay and you can get it for $211 brand new. I got it so cheap because i bargained the guy for like half an hour, i dont give up easy!

Let me know if you have any other questions.

-Vito

[a2009q7]

A question about the snowcat: when you have two snowboards back to back does the bindings on the bottom snowboard touch your car roof? I just got a 2009 q7 and the rails are flush-mounted so I'm concerned there isn't enough clearance.

Thanks

[02SILVANT]

A question about the snowcat: when you have two snowboards back to back does the bindings on the bottom snowboard touch your car roof? I just got a 2009 q7 and the rails are flush-mounted so I'm concerned there isn't enough clearance.

Thanks

That depends on how high the rails sit off the roof and depends alot on what kind of binding are on the board. For example if you have standard bindings with the 2 straps and the back flips down then almost any board will fit or it will sit with the soft part of the binding right on the roof. If you have Flow bindings you obviously cant fold the binding so you would have to keep that face up. I usually go snowboarding with lots of friends and i have a variety of boards and i just try to choose which one will sit upside down better depending on the type of binding they have. So my suggestion is when people want to go with you have them hand you the board and you put it on yourself so no one scratches your roof and make sure the back of the binding is folded down first and then u fasten the straps.

Hopefully this makes sense!

Let me know if you have any other questions.

-Vito

[a2009q7]

Thanks for the quick and detailed reply. My wife and I have Burton bindings that fold down so looks like we're good there. I'll just have to get the snowcat rack and see how it goes but sounds like it'll work out. I did lots of research and the snowcat looks like the best bargain since I don't need to buy the towers and crossbars and can use it with the rails that are already on the Q7 roof. So, this saves me a lot of money. I don't plan to use the roof to carry anything else like bikes since it's too high up and would be a pain so I don't need the tower and crossbars for other rack types. For anyone else that's interested I did research on this and may go with the Slikfit Fastrak to carry the bikes inside the back of the Q7 (http://www.slikfit.com/). I haven't tried yet to see if my bikes would fit with this set up but it's one of the best options I can see since I don't have a trailer hitch and don't want to put the bikes on the roof or hanging off the trunk.

For anyone else considering the snowcat rack I've done some research on pricing and the best deal I see is on rei.com site. The price is MSRP $225 but I saw a 20% off coupon for REI members (HOLMEM8 through 12/24/08). You can save on shipping by having it delivered to the store for in-store pickup.

Thanks

[02SILVANT]

Thanks for the quick and detailed reply. My wife and I have Burton bindings that fold down so looks like we're good there. I'll just have to get the snowcat rack and see how it goes but sounds like it'll work out. I did lots of research and the snowcat looks like the best bargain since I don't need to buy the towers and crossbars and can use it with the rails that are already on the Q7 roof. So, this saves me a lot of money. I don't plan to use the roof to carry anything else like bikes since it's too high up and would be a pain so I don't need the tower and crossbars for other rack types. For anyone else that's interested I did research on this and may go with the Slikfit Fastrak to carry the bikes inside the back of the Q7 (http://www.slikfit.com/). I haven't tried yet to see if my bikes would fit with this set up but it's one of the best options I can see since I don't have a trailer hitch and don't want to put the bikes on the roof or hanging off the trunk.

For anyone else considering the snowcat rack I've done some research on pricing and the best deal I see is on rei.com site. The price is MSRP $225 but I saw a 20% off coupon for REI members (HOLMEM8 through 12/24/08). You can save on shipping by having it delivered to the store for in-store pickup.

Thanks

Glad i could help you with the detailed info!!!

Have fun snowboarding and i plan to get a Q7 for the wife when i get married which i have no clue when thats happening. Anyhow the Snowcat is definitely the best deal out there for the job it does.

Everyone be safe on the mountain and lets enjoy another season of snowboarding and skiing!!!

Peace for now

-Vito