B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
Adrian E said:
OEM bars are made by Thule, so whichever you go for will work fine and accept the same accessories. I'd also look at Whispbar which sit lower to the roof and are quieter, generally, although Thule Wingbars are very similar. Fitting bars on an avant is very easy - used them on our A6 and it's a lot easier than with a saloon or hatch! The advantage of OEM over Thule is there's no messing about with width and because you don't have interchangeable bits they tend to sit lower on the car
Just looking at an OEM brochure, and the OEM ones don't seem as wide, so not sure if you'd fit 4 bike carriers on, but maybe it's just the angle of the picture in the brochure.This thread http://audisrs.com/viewtopic.php?t=47938&start... seems to suggest that OEM is "better", as the OEM ones (even though still made by Thule) fit in the little indents on the roof rails, but the non-OEM Thule ones don't. All very confusing.
Assuming that the OEM ones come with all the various fixings needed in 1 package, then the price difference isn't much. £194 for OEM or (from memory) £170 for Thule (Wing Bars plus feet plus fixing kit). I assume OEM are essentially Thule Wing bars re-branded? Decisions decisions...
bungle said:
Just looking at an OEM brochure, and the OEM ones don't seem as wide, so not sure if you'd fit 4 bike carriers on, but maybe it's just the angle of the picture in the brochure.
This thread http://audisrs.com/viewtopic.php?t=47938&start... seems to suggest that OEM is "better", as the OEM ones (even though still made by Thule) fit in the little indents on the roof rails, but the non-OEM Thule ones don't. All very confusing.
Assuming that the OEM ones come with all the various fixings needed in 1 package, then the price difference isn't much. £194 for OEM or (from memory) £170 for Thule (Wing Bars plus feet plus fixing kit). I assume OEM are essentially Thule Wing bars re-branded? Decisions decisions...
I suspect you're right about the width - the OEM bars are the 'right' width to fit the car, so don't have the option to move the mountings about so don't require the additional width on the bars.This thread http://audisrs.com/viewtopic.php?t=47938&start... seems to suggest that OEM is "better", as the OEM ones (even though still made by Thule) fit in the little indents on the roof rails, but the non-OEM Thule ones don't. All very confusing.
Assuming that the OEM ones come with all the various fixings needed in 1 package, then the price difference isn't much. £194 for OEM or (from memory) £170 for Thule (Wing Bars plus feet plus fixing kit). I assume OEM are essentially Thule Wing bars re-branded? Decisions decisions...
Check here and look at 'through bar' option for greater width
http://www.whispbar.co.uk/
Check the combined weight of bikes, bars and bike carriers before you order - you may find you have to go towbar mount if you want 4 on there and any of them are on the heavy side. Plus reaching the middle ones can be tricky unless you're 6ft+!
Edited by Adrian E on Friday 17th July 13:06
Also worth checking out Atera roof bars, significantly cheaper than equivalent Thule and just as well made, they supply a lot to OEMs as well.
We've got a set for the wife's Leon ST (estate) with similar roof rails to the Avant, they were solid as a rock with a big roof box and two kids bikes strapped either side of it all the way down to the Dordogne earlier this year
We've got a set for the wife's Leon ST (estate) with similar roof rails to the Avant, they were solid as a rock with a big roof box and two kids bikes strapped either side of it all the way down to the Dordogne earlier this year
Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 17th July 12:24
Collected yesterday but didn't see any other S4's at Colbournes.
It's properly quick and does sound similar to my 911.
Good brake feel also, overall a bit like a small Panamera :-).
The steering is very light, that's my only criticism. It makes my 997 feel unassisted and the MK5 also has more feel.
Will have a play with the settings but at the end of the day, it's a family wagon and not going on a track.
Edited by fastgerman on Sunday 19th July 16:51
fastgerman said:
The steering is very light, that's my only criticism. It makes my 997 feel unassisted and the MK5 also has more feel.
Could be that the tyres need to bed in - you often get much lighter steering to start with on some new rubber. Other possibility is they haven't set the tyre pressures correctly.Have you got the ADS steering option, or standard?
theboyfold said:
alxce said:
Looks good, even the wrong way up. My S4 arrived yesterday according to the online tracking system, maybe after you left. i suppose it will now be mid-week before I can get my hands on it, grrrrr.
Where is the online tracking system? https://www.audi.co.uk/content/audi/youraudi/youra...
Maybe get the bars and feet locally, but 591's are the cheapest here
http://www.sandicliffeshop.co.uk/product/Thule_591...
It's next day delivery too, I've had 3 from there.
http://www.sandicliffeshop.co.uk/product/Thule_591...
It's next day delivery too, I've had 3 from there.
MattS3 said:
Maybe get the bars and feet locally, but 591's are the cheapest here
http://www.sandicliffeshop.co.uk/product/Thule_591...
It's next day delivery too, I've had 3 from there.
Thanks. Cheap indeed. As always, there's a big trade-off between buying off the internet and buying locally and supporting local businesses/ getting personal service etc. £114 for 2 from that link, or £148 from my local store, 30% more expensive. Hhhhmmmm....http://www.sandicliffeshop.co.uk/product/Thule_591...
It's next day delivery too, I've had 3 from there.
In other news, went for a drive tonight, no real destination, just for the hell of it, and it really is a peach of an engine. Begs to be driven, and round the deserted country lanes near me is just fantastic. Happy days. (and followed a long bike ride as well - completely different pace of course, but equally enjoyable!).
Adrian E said:
fastgerman said:
The steering is very light, that's my only criticism. It makes my 997 feel unassisted and the MK5 also has more feel.
Could be that the tyres need to bed in - you often get much lighter steering to start with on some new rubber. Other possibility is they haven't set the tyre pressures correctly.Have you got the ADS steering option, or standard?
Adrian E said:
Could be that the tyres need to bed in - you often get much lighter steering to start with on some new rubber. Other possibility is they haven't set the tyre pressures correctly.
Well, that was timely. I checked mine for the first time today (I know : after 3 weeks and 1200 miles - should have done it MUCH sooner)Fronts were 42, rears 40 - noticeably higher than the recommended 39/35 (18" wheels) for normal '3 up' motoring. It did seem to work well on those settings, but I've reset to standard so will see how that works. Steering did feel a little light before, so lower pressures should help that.
fastgerman said:
Hi All,
Any recommendations on boot liners for an Avant?
Needs to take wet and muddy stuff along with bags, baby buggies etc without scratching stuff (apparently) :-)
The Audi one is fine... page 19.Any recommendations on boot liners for an Avant?
Needs to take wet and muddy stuff along with bags, baby buggies etc without scratching stuff (apparently) :-)
https://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/audi/production...
Cupramax said:
yep audi one is good, and has cutouts for a net if you have one. alxce said:
It's a beta but seems to work reasonably well. Create an account and then use your order number and post code and it adds your order to your account. Then click a link on there to show your cars build status
https://www.audi.co.uk/content/audi/youraudi/youra...
Thanks, my car is on the way to the dealer now. That's quite an interesting site and concept. https://www.audi.co.uk/content/audi/youraudi/youra...
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