Audi A4 Avant with Menabo Marathon Dark 460 roof box, fitted on Thule roof bars

On an Audi A4 Avant, most likely the B8 generation, we fitted the roof box Menabo Marathon Dark 460, fixed to the Thule roof bars that the car already had. The fitting was done in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

About the car: Audi A4 Avant B8 (Typ 8K)

The B8 generation of the Audi A4 carries the internal code Typ 8K. The saloon was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, and the Avant, that is the estate, followed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008. The car uses the Audi Modular Longitudinal Platform (MLB), and in early 2012 it received a facelift, with redesigned LED headlights and tail lights. We cannot say for sure whether our A4 is from before or after the facelift.

For a roof box, what matters most is the roof. The Audi A4 Avant in this fitting has raised roof rails, and Thule roof bars were already fitted on them. The Marathon box does not fix directly to the roof rails but to the roof bars, so on an Avant without roof bars the first step is a set of bars suited to raised roof rails.

What we fitted on this Audi A4 Avant

Menabo Marathon Dark 460 roof box has a capacity of 460 litres and is made of ABS plastic in matt black, which goes well with the black roof rails of this A4 Avant. It opens on one side, the right, and has a lock. The box comes with two fitting systems, a 60 mm U-bolt and a 20 mm T-bolt, and an 80 mm U-bolt system is optional, item 000065000000.

The car already had Thule bars, and the product page lists Marathon as compatible with Thule SquareBar, WingBar, ProBar and SlideBar bars, Yakima ThruBar/FlushBar, Mont Blanc Xplore, K39 bars and many Menabo bars, from Tema and Omega to Tiger and Leopard.

Video: Menabo Marathon roof box, presentation

Technical details and what to watch for

• Volume: 460 litres; material: ABS plastic; colour: matt black; opening: on one side (right); lock: yes.
• Fitting: 60 mm U-bolt and 20 mm T-bolt systems, included; 80 mm U-bolt system optional (item 000065000000).
• The outside height of the box is about 36 cm. With the box on the bars the car gets taller, so watch out for underground car parks and car washes.
• The weight of the box is deducted from the maximum roof load allowed and from the capacity of the bars: what is left is the maximum weight of luggage. For the Audi A4 Avant B8 we do not have an official roof load figure, so check it in the car manual and on the label of the bars.
• The fitting instructions and specifications for the Marathon 400 L / 460 L are available on the product page.

Instructions and documents

• MENABO MANIA MARATHON 400 460 fitting instructions (PDF)
• Menabo Marathon 400 L 460 L specifications (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

Which roof box fits the Audi A4 Avant B8?

On an Audi A4 Avant B8 (Typ 8K) we fitted the Menabo Marathon Dark 460 box, with 460 litres, on Thule roof bars fixed to the raised roof rails. Marathon fits on roof bars, not directly on the roof rails, so on an Avant without roof bars you first need a set of bars.

Which roof bars can the Menabo Marathon Dark 460 box be fitted on?

According to the product page, the Menabo Marathon Dark 460 roof box is compatible with Menabo Tema, Omega, Tiger, Leopard, Delta and other bars, with Thule SquareBar, WingBar, ProBar and SlideBar, with Yakima ThruBar/FlushBar and with K39 bars. It comes with a 60 mm U-bolt fitting and a 20 mm T-bolt fitting, and the 80 mm U-bolt fitting is optional.

Which side does the Menabo Marathon Dark 460 roof box open on?

The Menabo Marathon Dark 460 roof box opens on one side only, the right, and has a lock, so on an Audi A4 Avant you load your luggage from the right side of the car.

Is a roof box worth it on an estate like the Audi A4 Avant?

Even an estate like the Audi A4 Avant can run out of space when you set off with the family and a lot of luggage. The Menabo Marathon Dark 460 box adds 460 litres on the roof, and wheeled suitcases no longer end up on the back seat. You can find more arguments in the guide 6 reasons why a roof box is worth buying.

We are waiting for you in the showroom

If you have an Audi A4 Avant or another estate and want more luggage space, we are waiting for you in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania. We will show you on the spot the roof boxes and, if your car does not have any yet, roof bars that suit you. For compatibility questions, contact us through our contact page or at [email protected]. contact us through our contact page or at [email protected].

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Sources: Wikipedia, Audi A4, B8 generation (Typ 8K) · SuportBicicleta.ro guide: 6 reasons why a roof box is worth buying · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro