UBM Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 So, we are struggling with all the UBM junior stuff already. Two possibilities - swap cars for an A6 avant or buy a roofbox. I fancied the former, Mrs UBM the latter and guess who won! We ordered a Autoform Explorer 430 metallic black no. AT4306 from www.roofbox.co.uk Should match the car nicely. Will post some pics when it arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redavant Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Looks good! Wait till you have two to ferry around, I go everywhere with a trailer attached!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynas Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Looks like you're smuggling weapons / warheads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Here are the pictures of my loaded box UBM. With the pram taking up most of the boot, the roofbox was invaluable for our recent week in Cornwall. #1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 #2 The blue bag is our travel cot. As seen here. The bag next to it is our camera bag. The two grey bags are ours and the silver hard case is Rohan's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 #3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted May 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted May 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 The roofbox I ordered is on 3-4 week back order. I spoke to the customer service people at www.roofbox.co.uk and mentioned I'd now have to rent one for our week of travels coming up They wrote back and have delivered a brand new loan box for me to use whilst the one I ordered comes into stock! Now THAT is what I call Customer Service! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I've just worked out our mpg for the run from Cornwall to Liverpool: With me, wifey and sprog, our bags, toys etc, my bike and the roofbox, sticking at 60mph 99% of the time, I returned 46mpg. I was hoping for something in the 50s, but it's acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted May 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Not bad really! Just shows that the figures they promote for this engine ain't quite right.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 [ QUOTE ] #3 [/ QUOTE ] Looking at those tyres I reckon you've buckled a rim getting them in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Not bad really! Just shows that the figures they promote for this engine ain't quite right.... [/ QUOTE ] 46mpg is very good I would say considering the massive box stuck on the top of the car in the airflow! Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redavant Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I've just worked out our mpg for the run from Cornwall to Liverpool: With me, wifey and sprog, our bags, toys etc, my bike and the roofbox, sticking at 60mph 99% of the time, I returned 46mpg. I was hoping for something in the 50s, but it's acceptable. [/ QUOTE ] My mpg still bothers me, best average I get is 35 mpg, although on a run up to Glasgow, I managed the dizzy heights of 40! That wasn't sticking to 60mph tho! Sponge I take my hat off to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I do find the car to be very comfortable and easy to cruise in. With my iPod providing some tunes, the wife and kid usually fall asleep and it's me and the car eating up the miles. It would be even easier if I actually had cruise control. But at least I have my armrest. Every now and again I feel like flooring it, especially if I get stuck behind something. I don't like to move into the middle lane when I'm doing 1mph more than a wagon or caravan (unlike the HGV drivers themselves) so I usually jump up to 80 or so, then slot back into the 'slow lane' and it's something you can do without having to change down. An interesting point though - TomTom says I'm doing 57mph when my speedo reads 60. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fergy Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Did I notice a leather whip in there?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Those Avants, arn't very practical are they! We fitted the following into the boot of the A6 (saloon): M&P 03 Pram (folded in its carry bag) M&P Travel Cot (the same as your Graco one) Matress for above 2 Large Antler cases Change Bag Toy Bag 25ltr cool bag. Seriously I dont know how people with small cars cope with kids and their kit. There again, I am paranoid about having anything in the cabin of the car, so insist on everything in the boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 i remember an old top gear where JC strapped a couple of bikes to the roof of his motor and calculated the MPG on a trip. It turned out that it was cheaper to buy a 1st class rail ticket for your bike than to strap it to the roof..... that's how much aerodynamics affect mpg. So, 46mpg loaded with a roofbox, i think is ok!! And yes, a4's are a 'lifestyle' estate, not purchased for massive practicality! I prefer their look to a saloon anyway, so even if i didnt have a dog, i would still have an Avant (A4 or A6) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynas Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 [ QUOTE ] My mpg still bothers me, best average I get is 35 mpg, although on a run up to Glasgow, I managed the dizzy heights of 40! [/ QUOTE ] For a 2.0 TDi that still seems low mate. You mentioned that it's off for a service soon. I would mention it as that seems very very poor on a car so young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 I have to say that we got more in the boot of our saloon than we do in the back of the Avant. THe saloon boot is sligthly longer - as proven by the fact that our pram would go in lengthways with the travel cot on top of it in the sallon and won't fit in the Avant any way other than diagonally. Plus, I refure to load the car past the load cover on longer trips where I know we're going to have to stop and feed the bairn as all your kit's on display and some pikey feck will be off with it. So, bizarrely, I found the saloon more practical. I still prefer the look of the Avant though. As for the A6 boot, you can fit an A2 in there can't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Our car with roof box attached. Genius at Christmas - even more essential to put present in so that chavs can't see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 To be fair, I got more than the pram in the boot. Agreed, it takes up most of the space as it has to go in sideways, but there are lots of gaps that can be carefully filled. There was also a fishing tackle box, 2 pairs of walking boots, a pair of running shoes, the baby's changing bag (Blacks picnic backpack - better than an expensive dedicated one), several jackets, bikelocks and other bits and pieces. All this of course means we can't actually get our main luggage in the boot, so the roofbox is essential. The front seat is available for a bag, usually picnic-type items required on the journey, but the rear seats are occupied by the baby in his ISOfix seat and the wife next to him. Having a car full of kit is one of the reasons I wanted the privacy glass. It doesn't totally prevent you from seeing what's inside, but it does disguise it. The net that pulls up from the rear seats also helps hide stuff, but to me it was more of a safety feature as it would prevent any loose items flying foward under emergency braking. I have to admit though, when it comes to replace the A4 I will seriously be considering the A6, especially as we'll probably have another kid by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I have to admit though, when it comes to replace the A4 I will seriously be considering the A6, especially as we'll probably have another kid by then. [/ QUOTE ] Me too - well on the replacement car anyway. Not sure we can afford another suacepan just yet. Really fancy an all-road (previous one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted May 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Ditto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted May 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 The temp box is on now - will post some pics later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Maybe we can get a TSN Group Discount on the A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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