Yes you answered it, thanks I'll probably go with YAKIMA, I did not know they were made in the USA.
Check out their catalog pretty funny.

 

The whole pkg with Yakima 4 mounts, 4 clips, 2 bars round, 2 steel head fork mounted bike racks
and 6 locks $500 and change free instalation by the distributor. The Thule made in sweden about $ 600 and change.

 

Yakima is a good company. They used to be based in Arcata, CA (Northern California Coast). Now they moved to Portland, OR. I have had a Yakima for years on my Hondas. Occasionally in the hot weather the little plastic feet on the platforms will get old and need replacing. I have emailed Yakima and they have sent me free replacements with no hassle twice.

 

Here is a pic of a guy with a Yakima setup and Open Sky...

http://forums.audiworld.com/a3/msgs/70725.phtml

 

Very nice exact one I'm looking at. Thanks for all you've researched I'm not unsure anymore if it will work.

 

Stryker,

I was wondering about this change for you? A Chevy Tahoe to an Audi A3? Did you do that for gas mileage? Or some other reason?

We got our A3 as our 'mini SUV'...

 

I went with the Thule system and 2 fork mount racks for the mountain bike, as well as the wind fairing. -mJ

 

The Tahoe was great for the year i had it dvd on the headrest, lots of space for my kids, and bikes,etc.
But after 3 mos it started vibrating in the wheels to the steering, all over no one could fix it, went to the shop 8 times.
Eight times to the shop = LEMON LAW. It just so happened that the hurricanes we had down here last year and the gas delima made me choose between the JCW and the A3. The rest is history.

 

Just testing new sig...dismiss message

 

Hi All-

Shoot, it's too bad that I didn't understand the rail system when I ordered my Audi three or four days ago. We settled on price and it's being built, so I guess it's too late. Having the integrated rails would be nice because the owner doesn't have to worry about scratching paint and definitely doesn't have to worry about clamps or possibly compressing the rubber seals that keep water out of the car. AUDI USA needs to make the availability of these rails a bit more public! My salesman is a nice guy, but he didn't know anything about carrying options other than the dealer-supplied rack. Some of those pictures look great with the rails!

~ Blue Jays ~