Roof Racks!

**SJorge3442** · 09-06-2013 05:47 AM

So I am finally picking up my A4 B6 3.0 Sedan this weekend and I am in desperate need of a roof rack. I snowboard and mountain bike regularly in their respective seasons and I hate cramming everything into the trunk. I am looking for a roof rack that wont break the bank, but also wont cause rust on the roof. Any suggestions? I would like for the rack to be compatible with Thule accessories, but as far as I'm aware, most Thule accessories fit on most if not all racks.

**Peacob** · 09-06-2013 07:08 AM

I would just get the VW/Audi base bars and go from there. Rockymounts makes a great bike rack accessory (euro pitchfork), as well as their LiftOp ski/snowboard rack. I own both, and have gotten a lot of use out of them over the past two years.

I know the option i just gave you isnt exactly "bank account friendly", but even Thule will be not far off on pricing, and any other options aside from OEM Base bars or Thule, will be of less quality and IMO, not worthy to strap on top of your car.

**onceover** · 09-06-2013 07:39 AM

If you can get your hands on B6 Passat base bars for cheap and modify them to fit thats your best bet for a low cost solution. Theres a thread on what needs to be done, pretty easy stuff.

**stormscr3** · 09-06-2013 07:52 AM

www.rackattack.com

**stewmann** · 09-06-2013 08:03 AM

I just went through this for my mountain bikes. I went the craigslist/ebay route. It took a little time to get the exact setup (2-3 months) that i wanted. But in the end it only cost me around $200 for a $600-800 setup. IMO Thule is the best looking setup Audi. I could't see putting Japanese Yakima on a German car.

If you go with Thule and find a setup with the 400XT towers, the fit kit is discontinued, but i found a guy in LA that has old stock in a warehouse for $40. Any other things you may need like keys or end caps, like stormscr3 said^ www.rackattack.com is very helpful and relatively inexpensive.

**jursch2211** · 09-06-2013 08:27 AM

go to rackattack like stormscr3 mentioned and search for whispbar's. After seeing the different models for our cars, i.e. oem, modified passat, these look amazing. Especially with their low profile. I believe once you have the bars selected it will ask you if you want to order it from orsracksdirect. Say yes and then type in promo code extra10 for more of a discount. And what is a thread without pics

whispbars with yakima fatcats

whispbars with thule roofbox

**Fast4esT** · 09-06-2013 09:05 AM

I use yakima racks and unlike them, it's all preference. Yakima is 20% off at backcountry right now. Look on eBay for what rack system you want, bars are cheap on eBay, towers are good prices, then you can buy spefic clips for your car at the store, saves at least 40% of store cost. You can also find a whole kit on eBay with bike/ski attachments, then just buy the correct clips for your car

**agentsmith988** · 09-06-2013 09:09 AM

I found a used B6 Passat setup locally for $100 and then modified them. I like 'em!

I then picked up my carriers for another $25

**SJorge3442** · 09-06-2013 09:21 AM

seems like passat bars are the way to go and I believe they look the best. Question is, what do I search for to find them?

Edit: Well I just found a rack on CL for a 2003 Passat. Its stock with the VW logos. This will work with the diy right?

**johnnyk** · 09-06-2013 10:22 AM

Like some have mentioned above, best bet for best deals are to purchased used. Browse craigslist or the classified here on AZ. I purchased my set for a fairly reasonable deal. It came with OEM base bars and two thule big mouth bike racks. The guy also had a fairing and snowboard racks, but I don't like the way the fairging looks on the B6 and I don't snowboard often so I didn't pick up those two items up. Good luck in your search.

**SJorge3442** · 09-06-2013 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by johnnyk

Like some have mentioned above, best bet for best deals are to purchased used. Browse craigslist or the classified here on AZ. I purchased my set for a fairly reasonable deal. It came with OEM base bars and two thule big mouth bike racks. The guy also had a fairing and snowboard racks, but I don't like the way the fairging looks on the B6 and I don't snowboard often so I didn't pick up those two items up. Good luck in your search.

Which racks are these? THey look like the Passat rack that found. Here are pics of the rack I found. Drilling and cutting this seem to be way too easy of a solution.

**johnnyk** · 09-06-2013 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by SJorge3442

Which racks are these? THey look like the Passat rack that found. Here are pics of the rack I found. Drilling and cutting this seem to be way too easy of a solution.

Mine are OEM Audi base bars, where you don't have to do any cuttings.. i have the same bike racks. lol.

**SJorge3442** · 09-06-2013 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by johnnyk

Mine are OEM Audi base bars, where you don't have to do any cuttings.. i have the same bike racks. lol.

So these will work? I'll just blast the clamps with plasti-dip

**Charles.waite** · 09-06-2013 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by SJorge3442

So I am finally picking up my A4 B6 3.0 this weekend and I am in desperate need of a roof rack. I snowboard and mountain bike regularly in their respective seasons and I hate cramming everything into the trunk. I am looking for a roof rack that wont break the bank, but also wont cause rust on the roof. Any suggestions? I would like for the rack to be compatible with Thule accessories, but as far as I'm aware, most Thule accessories fit on most if not all racks.

You left out the most crucial element: Sedan or Avant. It makes a difference...

If its an avant, I vote Whispbars all day long. They flushmount ones are freaking awesome. Add zero wind noise and the fact that they're stealth and you never need to remove them, its a win-win.

Old B7 (I apologize for the color balance, my old iPhone sucked...)

\

On my new avant:

Psycho Puppy approves

**Peacob** · 09-06-2013 11:09 AM

Those rack roads are nice too.... it was a hard decision between that and what rockymounts offered. Ended up going rockymounts just because my bike attachments are rockymounts as well.