montclair2525

Okay, took delivery of my Q5. I'm investigating roof bars.

Audi OEM MSRP $460 p/n 80A071151 Base Carrier Bars
Best price I've found is from Audi Parts | audionlineparts.com @ 22% off $360.64. This is Audi Meadowlands in NJ.

Much cheaper than Thule and Yakima, whom are not even offering a 2018 version yet.

Has anyone bought the OEM item? I would love to see photos of the bars on the car.

The rear location on the roof is lower than the front. Is the rear bar higher so the front and rear bars end up level?

Can anyone measure the dimension from the center of the front bar back to where it hits the fully opened rear hatch? Important dimension for fitting a cargo box. I know you can limit the upper range of the rear hatch, but I am 6' tall and don't want to smack my head on the hatch!

Many thanks!

Rich

kanack49

Not exactly analagous but I purchased the OEM VW bars for my 2011 Touareg and they fit perfect and looked way cleaner than after-market option. The thules clearly look like add-ons rather than part of the original car.

montclair2525

Thules actually look really good and appear more aerodynamic. They are air-foil shaped and Audi OEM are oval.

rdA4WtQ5

I guess the roof bars don't come with the car anymore? Never even used mine yet.
They were in the trunk of my 2011.
I even bought the grooved rubber strip that makes them much quieter.

Cabal_san

Mine came standard on 2014. Use it all the time.

Guess i'll be taking off before trade her in |B]

The OEM has 3 buttons on the left front that supposidly engage traction control or ESC or something. Do the others have that feature??

montclair2525

Hmmm, gotta check that out.... Thule bars don't use pins to secure to the rails, rather they clamp on.

rdA4WtQ5

Pins actuate a switch that changes the stability program. Probably a different part no. But if not, probably many available on Craigslist or eBay to save money.

adg44

The previous generation Q5 included the cross bars because it was integrated into the ESC program. The new Q5 does not so no cross bars will come with the vehicle.

However, the SQ5 will include the bars because it is integrated into the ESC. This then adapts the program to account for up to 75kg of weight on the roof.

Hope this clarifies.

redherring

Raises an interesting question--does anybody know if the previous gen bars fit the new one? I've never used the ones that came with my 2013 and because of that can't see buying new ones, but if the old ones fit (and I bet they don't for just this reason) I'll keep them.

rdA4WtQ5

I looked at a 2018 and the interface looks the same for the switches.
If I was buying one I would try my old bars before giving them away or selling.