Hi all, 

I’ve just got a Q5 and noticed that the roof rails have some drill holes in them on the inside. I would like to replace them. 

Has anyone done it before and would it be a big job? 

TIA 

Ajay 

Edited November 1, 2025Nov 1 by Ajaybhatoa

You'd be best looking for some second hand ones on eBay. Not sure if they bolt from underneath or on top. 

2 minutes ago, Steve Q said:

You'd be best looking for some second hand ones on eBay. Not sure if they bolt from underneath or on top. 

I’ve seen some online for a decent price. Just wanted to see what the labour would look like to get them replaced.

Well the worse case scenario is removing them from underneath which would involve removing the headlining which might not be easy with the amount of interior trim that'd need to be removed 

99% sure all roof rails are bolted from inside. I’m not aware of holes on roof rails and I’ve been driving Avants for years. Not sure why you want change them. Can they be wrapped instead?
 

As mentioned, the reality of removing means removing a lot of interior trim to drop the headlining, including A Pillar, C Pillar, rear quarter, central convenience unit if it’s panoramic, but you have interior lights there anyway, sun visors, grab handles, etc. There’s curtain airbags in there too, so something else to consider.

if you’re determined to do it, work clean. You’ll need special tool for interior grab handles. 

When you say roof rails have drill holes in them, do you mean the rails running front to back have 2-3 holes on the inside edge by all 4 doors?

If so, then that's how they're supposed to be as the crossbars clamp into those holes.

My A6 C7 had flush roof rails with pairs of indents at 3 points along the length of the rails. The roof bar option had a plate in the internal side of the feet that use these holes to locate and secure the bars. 

15 hours ago, Mark M. said:

When you say roof rails have drill holes in them, do you mean the rails running front to back have 2-3 holes on the inside edge by all 4 doors?

If so, then that's how they're supposed to be as the crossbars clamp into those holes.

This is how it looks mate 

1 minute ago, Envy said:

My A6 C7 had flush roof rails with pairs of indents at 3 points along the length of the rails. The roof bar option had a plate in the internal side of the feet that use these holes to locate and secure the bars. 

I think someone has done these themselves as the one pictured has 3 holes and the one on the drivers sized has 2 holes. 

They should all be 2 holes except for the front where one should have 3 holes to accommodate the extra pin that adjusts the ESC to allow for a change in centre of gravity as it's expecting you to have an extra 75kg on your roof.

 

Not easy to make out as I have wrapped rails, but my passenger side rail has 3 holes at the front and 2 at the rear, the drivers side has 2 holes front and 2 holes rear.

From the manual

41 minutes ago, Mark M. said:

From the manual

Absolute legend mate! I’ll leave them be then! Thank you. I didn’t think to check the manual.