Recommended roof bars for 2012 A4 Avant

[mattb46]

As per the title, Im after a pair of roof bars for my 2012 S4 avant to mount a Thule single bike carrier on. I have had a look at the cheapest available and then the Thule offerings. The difference is quite significant : £80 vs £175+. I only need to use the bars occasionally but dont want to buy something too cheap that may mark the roof rails or just be a PITA.

Eg:

https://www.roofbox.co.uk


Can anyone recommend some that they have bought, or experiences with the cheaper end of the market?

Thanks very much

[jgy6000]

I bought a set of Cruz aluminium aero bars for my Mercedes and they were shocking, the fit was just not very good. I now have a set of genuine OEM ones for the Volvo (second hand eBay) and they fit spot on.

[bladerrw]

I bought the £114 Atera steel bars from Roofbox for my 2013 A6 Avant.
They are quick to fit, have good rubber-protected fastenings and have safely carried kayaks and rowing boats.
Downside is they howl at speed. I had to get the square ones for the racks I attach to them. If your bike rack works with the aero version then I'd go for that option.

[Skier]

I purchased the Thule Wing Bar Edge Black (and a Thule bike carrier) for my 2013 A4 Avant. They do the job well though as you state, they're not the cheapest. I only experienced any wind noise/whistling when in excess of normal motorway speeds and I'm sure that this would be reduced now as I have purchased additional rubber strips to cut and fit when the bike rack is in place.

[Belle427]

Not on an Audi but purchased some of the Thule wings and they fit very well with no danger of marking etc due to the rubber lined clamps.
they only make slight noise at motorway speeds as suggested, mine were provided with extra rubber inserts to fill any exposed channel.

[mikecassie]

I fitted the Thule Aerobars and they were good, no noticable extra noise unless the bikes were fitted. It was a RS4 with sports exhaust so maybe in a quieter car you'd hear something I didn't.
I've still got them and willing to sell if you want to make an offer as I've not got the RS4 now...

[mattb46]

Thanks for the comments and the offer Mike- much appreciated. Annoyingly, I placed an order for the Thule Wingbars earlier today. Decided to go with the quality option for total peace of mind

[bungle]

Too late now, but I went for OEM and they are very good (2010 Avant). I am a total idiot at such things, but dead easy to fit, no whistling at all, very happy with them. Paired with Thule bike carriers.