Hardtop for B7 S4 Cabriolet?

[Irish311]

Sorry if this is a repost, but Audizine search didn't yield any results. Does anyone know if Audi offers a hard top for the B7 S4 Cabriolets? If anyone has any info, experience, or can direct me to any online photos of a cab with it's hardtop on, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking at a 2008 S4 (leftover with about 100 miles on it) at a local dealer but wanted to know about the hard top before I go in there and start negotiating.

Thanks in advance all.

[Cargo8]

no hardtop

[Irish311]

no hardtop

Nothing aftermarket either?

[Philosophyy]

I've never seen a hardtop..

[psiaddict85]

nothing I've ever heard of

[fsttrp]

Its not like our car need some additional weight..... Our soft top is pretty quiet as is.

[C4RL_S4]

Its not like our car need some additional weight..... Our soft top is pretty quiet as is.

Second that comment - I read somewhere that Audi uses an acoustical dampening foam in the soft top.

I don't know if that's accurate, but my S4 Cab is the quietest softtop I've ever heard! During the winter months, I feel like I'm in a non-convertable.

[Irish311]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Actually, the noise wasn't my concern...I have been told that you cannot install any sort of roof rack (i.e. my Thule rack that I use to carry my skis, bike and Thule cargo box) on the soft top. Which, of course, makes perfect sense. But I think you used to be able to buy a hardtop for the BMW 3-Series cab's...was hoping that audi offered the same option.

OK, I get the ski bag pass-through will hold about 2 pairs of skis, but I regularly use my roof rack in all seasons for all sorts of stuff and may (or may not) have 2 pairs of skis, 1 snowboard, etc.

How are other cabriolet owners dealing with this issue? Am I SOL?

[$4c@b]

How are other cabriolet owners dealing with this issue? Am I SOL?

Put the top down. I throw my fishing rods in the back and they hang out a few feet.

[Whatset]

Back in the day ('70s) my dad used to use a trunk mount on his speedster to carry skis.


Here is an ugly ass one for 15 bucks.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/1281187841.html


Here is a better looking one on a TT

[EYE4SPEED]

x2 on trunk mount. Other option would be to get the bike rack (they're on sale right now here in Germany). They plug directly on top of the ball hitch (pretty sweet setup).

[PetrolDave]

IIRC the trunk lid on the cabriolet is some sort of composite material (the antennas are bonded to the under surface) - is it strong enough for a trunk mount?

[S4BlackCab]

Irish311-

The ski-pass through in the cab is perfect for skis, my 174's fit fine.

As for a bike and Thule luggage carrier - you're on your own with that one ;-)

[...Mark...]

Generally speaking, people that buy verts don't live in a snowy climate and if they do, they have a winter beater for this sort of thing.

I think you are SOL here.

The only other alternative that has not been mentioned is a trailer hitch style rack.

[Charlescrs6]

or...

[S4BlackCab]

EYE4SPEED had already mentioned the trailer hitch option, although the visual was helpful.

[$4c@b]

Generally speaking, people that buy verts don't live in a snowy climate and if they do, they have a winter beater for this sort of thing.

you should see the number of verts in the NY tri-state. they're everywhere and most are driven in the snow too.

[...Mark...]

you should see the number of verts in the NY tri-state. they're everywhere and most are driven in the snow too.

I know. I lived ther up until 05. I'm actually flying into Westchester tonight so that i can go to a Yankees/BoSux game tomorrow.

All i'm saying is that people that have an S4 cab, usually have a second ride for carrying bikes, skis etc w/.. I hav never seen an A/S4 cab w/ any kind of rack on it before, sedans yes, cabs no.

[Whatset]

people that have a [edit: insert nice car here], usually have a second ride for carrying bikes, skis etc

Yep, that is what my truck is for, I would never relagate my S to a life of manual labor. 4WD<AWD but I don't care if the pig runs off the road.

[$4c@b]

I know. I lived ther up until 05. I'm actually flying into Westchester tonight so that i can go to a Yankees/BoSux game tomorrow.

jealous

All i'm saying is that people that have an S4 cab, usually have a second ride for carrying bikes, skis etc w/.. I hav never seen an A/S4 cab w/ any kind of rack on it before, sedans yes, cabs no.

true, I do have a tiguan also.

[Irish311]

Good suggestions guys and the pics were helpful. Much thanks -- that's why I belong to this forum...the people who participate in it are