Installation: The Audi roof rails are easy to install, especially with the diagrams included. The Audi roof rails took about 20 minutes to put on, and a lot less to take off. I’m sure with more practice, my install time will get lower. Be careful with the rubber for the top of the rails, I cut one too short, and it creates more wind noise at speed. I was able to add more to quell the sound. There are locks for all 4-attachment points so people can’t steel these guys. But then, they’d have to open the car to do that so…They also give you four clear bra type stickies to place on the car underneath the rubber feet. This is great if you don’t want nasty black stains on your roof.
The Thule Cargo Box was very easy to install. The instructions say to have someone help you put it on top of the car. I think I may be able to do this myself, however, I don’t want to damage my car in any way…so I haven’t attempted that. Btw, the box is light enough for one person to carry. The clamping system works like a charm. It’s easily adjustable and quick to lock/unlock. There is one thing to nit pick about the clamps. They are fastened with just one screw. If you lay the box on the ground, they just might pop through. It happened to me, and I thought I broke the thing. You merely have to screw the pieces together again. In use, those pieces are clamped together, so there is no issue.
Operation: The Thule Cargo Box can be opened from either side of the vehicle. The box is easy to open, and has a great safety feature. The key cannot be removed while the box is open. Great design by the people at Thule.
Cargo Space: My main use for this device is for snowboards and boots. On the way up to Mammoth, I had 3 snowboards and 3 pairs of boots in the box with room to spare. While in Mammoth, I had 4 boards, 1 with open flow bindings, and 2 pairs of boots up top. On the way back to LA, I had 3 boards, 2 with open flow bindings, 3 pairs of boots, and 2 bags of extra groceries. All boots can stand upright in the box, even toward the front. All in all, it served its purpose, with a little bit of room to spare. I’m very sure I did not exceed the max weight of this box, so I cannot comment on that.
Gas Mileage: More cargo space + higher profile = worse gas mileage. This is very true. Normally, doing the drive up to Mammoth from LA takes about 1¼ tank. This time, it took about 1½ tank to reach Mammoth. So it’s not that bad at all…On the way down, it was about the same, 1 tank to get home with 10-15 miles left in the tank as per the computer.
Wind Noise: Overall, the noise isn’t that noticeable when you are doing 80 mph with the radio on. However, with the radio off, wind noise is noticeable around 60 mph. At 50 mph you can kind of hear it, but that’s if your paying VERY close attention to the db level. Through the trip up the 395, it wasn’t a big deal. We didn’t really hear it much; we were trying to entertain ourselves with comedy CDs and music.
Other notes: I got back on the 21st, and have yet to take the box off the car. Driving around town, I really didn’t notice it was there. I have to open the shade for the moon roof to see it's there. During the rain, the box did not take on any water at all. I was pleasantly surprised. Some fools wanted to race me in a V6 mustang…they got spanked. Must have looked funny with the box still on top of the car.
Pictures:
Overall: I would recommend this to anyone wanting to add some storage space for their S4. My goal to get 4 people in the car with 4 boards and boots and all our clothes may be in reach. I have not tried it yet. One of my passengers brought a suit case, and that took up too much space in the trunk. At the very least, you can have 3 people in the car, 3 boards and boot pairs in the box, the trunk full, and no seats folded down. Word.
one more pic, just for fun!
- DTM | Sprint Blue Pearl | Black leather/Alcantara | Navi | CF trim | OEM 18" RS4s
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Originally Posted by cellg8
I run the same thing.
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