Anyone had experience with Cruz Roof Bars?

[gordz]

So, I've probably spent far too much time searching and deliberating on which set of roof bars to go for....

Most threads on this and other forums focus on either OEM or Whispbars. However, at £100 cheaper, and a similar-ish look (ok, not flush but I can live with that as won't be permanently on), how bout Cruz roof bars? It's a brand I've never heard of, so just wanted to check they weren't cheap for a reason!

[fredgroves]

Thule, that's what I always punt with. Definitely don't mark, whistle or fall apart. Plus future proof to some degree because you can swap bits to adapt to whatever car you get next.

[mcmaddy]

Genuine VW are Thule or Mont Blanc, can't remember which now. If I was buying some i'd probably go either genuine or whispbar.

[Rob_benton]

I’ve had numerous bars over the years.
Had Cruz on another car and they were cheap.
I’ve learnt it’s worth paying extra for the quality of the likes of Thule. Shop around for deals. 
Good thing about Thule is they will still be worth something when you sell them and also worth looking for a 2nd hand pair from gumtree or eBay.
Also Thule bars and feet are interchangeable so your next car may just need the feet and you could keep the bars.

[kmpowell]

Back in 2015/16 I had a RS4 which I thought I was going to have to sell when me and my ex partner had our second child. Look ed around at bars/boxes and settled on some Thule Wingbar 'Edge' bars along with a Packline FX210 box which was very lightweight and low-profile, the bars went through tunnels inside the box. This meant the box sat very close to the car roof for VASTLY improved aerodynamics and significant noise reduction compared to other roofboxes. The bars were very quiet compared to the OEM bars I tried (and got rid of!). The box was 210 cm long, and held 410 litres, me and my now ex partner used it to carry our buggy base around when we had our second child (to go with our toddler and dog!), along with several other big bags of baby gear/paraphernalia. It could also easily accommodate 'carry-on' sized cases etc.

It lived permanently on the car (all lockable for security) and the Thules really were whisper quiet! I was doing (and still do) a regular 7hr round trip each month and they had very little impact on noise or stability. the RS could easily cruise at 100+ leptons and you wouldn't know the bars/box were up there.

As a bonus, the bars are available in black, which I got to match the gloss black styling/optic package I specced on the car.

[sjw]

Back in 2015/16 I had a RS4 which I thought I was going to have to sell when me and my ex partner had our second child. Look ed around at bars/boxes and settled on some Thule Wingbar 'Edge' bars along with a Packline FX210 box which was very lightweight and low-profile, the bars went through tunnels inside the box. This meant the box sat very close to the car roof for VASTLY improved aerodynamics and significant noise reduction compared to other roofboxes. The bars were very quiet compared to the OEM bars I tried (and got rid of!). The box was 210 cm long, and held 410 litres, me and my now ex partner used it to carry our buggy base around when we had our second child (to go with our toddler and dog!), along with several other big bags of baby gear/paraphernalia. It could also easily accommodate 'carry-on' sized cases etc.

It lived permanently on the car (all lockable for security) and the Thules really were whisper quiet! I was doing (and still do) a regular 7hr round trip each month and they had very little impact on noise or stability. the RS could easily cruise at 100+ leptons and you wouldn't know the bars/box were up there.

As a bonus, the bars are available in black, which I got to match the gloss black styling/optic package I specced on the car.

Just curious - why did you think you were going to have to sell the car? Financial reasons? I'm assuming so, because I'm sure the RS4 is capable of carrying two adults and two children?!

[kmpowell]

Just curious - why did you think you were going to have to sell the car? Financial reasons? I'm assuming so, because I'm sure the RS4 is capable of carrying two adults and two children?!

Nope not financial reasons. The RS4's boot spaced is deceptively small and with two car seats in the back the middle 'seat' was gone so that load space was compromised. Believe it or not the load area (depth and width, not height) in the RS4 is much smaller than a Golf R estate(!). We were fine with one child and the dog, but the problem we (she's now my ex) had was our dog Betty travelled with us in the boot when travelling across the country to stay with our respective families, and also when we went on holiday...

(pic taken pre second child)


Two children on their own would have been fine, but two children AND the dog, the buggy, and all the paraphernalia that went with two small kids was a problem. The roof box was used for the buggy and some bags (not the dog!), but it eventually became a logistical nightmare and no matter how much I tried to justify it the RS4 was simply too small (even with the roof box) so I sold it for a new Range Rover Sport, which fitted us all in easily and then some.

[sjw]

Got you. Yes, dogs take up a lot of room when you want to be kind to them! basically rules out the boot in a lot of cars which you obviously need for kids. I got you now

[JB GTI]

Slightly off topic but does anyone actually know the difference between the OEM roofbars for the 3dr and 5dr. I bought a 3dr set but they fit perfectly on my 5dr. They definitely have a different part number but the only difference I can see is the bit of card you get to wedge the rear window rubber of the 3dr. Anyone know any different?? Thanks 

[sjw]

Just curious - why did you think you were going to have to sell the car? Financial reasons? I'm assuming so, because I'm sure the RS4 is capable of carrying two adults and two children?!

Nope not financial reasons. The RS4's boot spaced is deceptively small and with two car seats in the back the middle 'seat' was gone so that load space was compromised. Believe it or not the load area (depth and width, not height) in the RS4 is much smaller than a Golf R estate(!). We were fine with one child and the dog, but the problem we (she's now my ex) had was our dog Betty travelled with us in the boot when travelling across the country to stay with our respective families, and also when we went on holiday...

Two children on their own would have been fine, but two children AND the dog, the buggy, and all the paraphernalia that went with two small kids was a problem. The roof box was used for the buggy and some bags (not the dog!), but it eventually became a logistical nightmare and no matter how much I tried to justify it the RS4 was simply too small (even with the roof box) so I sold it for a new Range Rover Sport, which fitted us all in easily and then some.

How was the RS4 when not worrying about space? I know they're very very quick, but was it at all numb? That's one of the complaints I hear about Audis in general