05 Jul 2021
Suportbicicleta.ro
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Audi A4 B7 4-door with Menabo Tema Otel roof bars and Carbon Look 320L roof box

Showroom: Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania

On a 4-door Audi A4 B7 we fitted Menabo Tema Steel roof bars and a Carbon Look 320L roof box. The fitting was done by the SuportBicicleta.ro team in our shop at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

In brief

Car: Audi A4 B7 4-door saloon, 2004-2007 model, roof without roof rails.
Fitted: Menabo Tema Otel bars and Carbon Look 320L box, both black.
Compatibility: The Carbon Look box attaches with an 80 mm U-bolt fitting, compatible with Menabo Tema Otel bars.
Fitting: the bars attach to the bodywork with 4 dedicated fittings, and the box fixes to the bars with the U-bolt fittings.

About the car: Audi A4 B7 4-door (8EC)

Launched at the end of 2004, the Audi A4 B7 is a major facelift of the B6 and uses the same PL46 platform. The saloon has the code 8EC, the Avant 8ED and the Cabriolet 8HE, and the front is recognised by its tall trapezoidal grille. After the B8 arrived, the B7 was restyled and sold from 2008 as the SEAT Exeo.

The B7 saloon has no roof rails, so the roof bars attach to the door frames with fittings made for the A4 4-door 2004-2007. This has a direct consequence for the box: everything that goes on the roof sits on these bars, so their 50 kg maximum load is the limit that counts when you load the box, even if the box itself is rated for more.

What we fitted on this Audi A4 B7

Menabo Tema Otel bars for the Audi A4 (B7/8E/8H), 4-door are made of steel with a protective plastic coating, have an oval profile and measure 1,120 x 30 x 48 mm. They carry a maximum of 50 kg, come with 4 locks and keys, and are fitted with a single Allen key. Unlike the aluminium version, they have no T-track on top, so accessories attach with U-bolt fittings on the outside of the bar.

Carbon Look 320L roof box has a volume of 320 litres, a maximum load of 55 kg and is made of matt black polypropylene with a carbon texture. It is 131 cm long and 34 cm high, has a lock and opens on one side, the right. It attaches with an 80 mm U-bolt fitting, and the product page lists it as compatible with Menabo Tema Otel bars.

Video: Carbon Look 320L roof box presentation

Video: Menabo Tema bars that attach to the bodywork

Audi A4 B7 4-door with Menabo Tema Otel bars and black Carbon Look 320L roof box, photo 1

Technical details and what to watch for

Load calculation: the Carbon Look box carries 55 kg, but the Tema Otel bars only 50 kg. The weight of the empty box is also deducted from the 50 kg, so the box has room for less than 40 kg of luggage.
Bars: steel, 1,120 mm long, 5.3 kg per set, no T-track; accessories attach with U-bolt fittings.
Box: 320 L, 131 cm long, 34 cm high, 80 mm U-bolt fitting, lock.
Height on the roof: the box adds 34 cm above the bars, which you need to keep in mind in underground car parks and garages.
Instructions: the box has a fitting PDF on its product page; for the Tema Otel bars the manual comes in the package.
Speed: with the bars fitted, Menabo recommends a maximum of 130 km/h; you will find more in the guide to roof bar noise.

Instructions and documents

Carbon Look 320L 400L fitting instructions (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

Does the Carbon Look 320L box fit on Menabo Tema Otel bars?

Yes, the Carbon Look 320L roof box attaches with an 80 mm U-bolt fitting and is listed on the product page as compatible with Menabo Tema Otel bars, as on this 4-door Audi A4 B7.

How much weight can I put in the Carbon Look 320L box on an Audi A4 B7?

The Carbon Look 320L box carries 55 kg, but on an Audi A4 B7 with Menabo Tema Otel bars the real limit is the maximum load of the bars, 50 kg, from which the weight of the empty box is deducted. In practice, the box has room for less than 40 kg.

What is the difference between the Menabo Tema Otel and Tema Aluminium bars for the Audi A4 B7?

Both Menabo Tema versions for the 4-door Audi A4 B7 are 1,120 mm long and have a maximum load of 50 kg. Tema Otel has no T-track on top, so accessories attach only with U-bolt fittings, while Tema Aluminium has a 20 mm T-track.

Why fit a roof box on an Audi A4 saloon?

On an Audi A4 saloon, a Carbon Look 320L roof box adds 320 litres on the roof for luggage that no longer fits in the boot, so you do not have to put it on the back seat. You will find more reasons in our guide to roof boxes.