I just spent $420 on all the gear to hold four snowboards on top of my '01 A4, and when I got home and held up the bars (48") recommended by REI's computers (the store I bought them from) they're actually longer than the roof. I haven't attempted to mount them yet as its dark, but is this normal?

 

i use the load bars i got for my old honda. they're a perfect fit. i'll measure them for you tomorrow...too cold out there right now

 

Doesn't matter if they are longer than the roof. Doesn't matter at all.

EDIT: you can see that mine stick past the edges of the roof... no worries:

 

they can be trimmed too if it really bugs you.

 

yeah i need to get my racks sooon, damn this season to hell! stupid socal snowboarding :[

 

Thanks for the pic for reference. I'm going to try and install them tomorrow. (slept all day today, woops!) Anyone know why they're supposed to be longer than the roof?

 

Longer than the roof so you have more room!

 

So I tried to mount them today, and I got to the part in the instructions where it says 'Apply black vinyl liners wherever clip touches car paint. Trim if necessary.' What vinyl liners are they talking about? The only things that came with my Q clips are the metal clips and two black stickers. It mentions to label those stickers 'front' and 'back' so you don't get the bars confused. Am I retarded or am I missing something?

:edit: I called the place I bought them from and they assured me the 'stickers' are what the manual is talking about, despite there being another section that says to use those stickers. Bloody hell they like to confuse.

 

Well, after much dilemma, I have the rack installed finally, except I've come across a problem. The instructions from Yakima say that for a 96-01 A4 the distance between the bars should be 30", however when I measure mine they're 27-6/8". There are little white notches at the top of each door indicating where to mount a rack, which I followed. Which should I trust, Yakima, or my cars little arrows?

 

Cars little arrows.