How good are the VW roof racks?

[Tarwheel]

I want to buy a roof rack to put on my new 2012 Golf. I've generally used Yakima racks in the past for other vehicles but the Volkswagen OEM racks seem to be decent quality and should certainly fit the car.

Does anyone have firsthand experience with the VW racks and know how they compare with Yakima or Thule racks? Also, are they quiet or do they create a lot of wind noise and drag that affects gas mileage? Are they easy to install and remove?

I would be using the rack to haul kayaks. I have a separate Yakima hitch rack that I plan to use when carrying bikes.

[Pssst...passed you]

Probably just a yakima part rebranded, but I am not positive on the newer models

I know my snowboard attachments for my MKIV are.

[Tarwheel]

They might be made by Thule, but not Yakima, which always uses round or oval bars. The VW bars are square in cross-section.

[Pssst...passed you]

Could be thule, sorry. I just remember parking next to a guy with the same snowboard clamps and there was a brand name on them.

[_FUBAR_]

i like my oem rack. attachments can be pricey but i usually by used.
easily holds a water heater.

and a bike with thule attachment.

never noticed mpg difference. you do hear it up there with the sunroof open. a fairing might help that.

[_FUBAR_]

might not be your style but you could always build a rack for the rack. i build mine from wood pickets and aluminum flat stock. its good for hauling random stuff.

[Tarwheel]

How is the OEM rack for wind noise and affect on fuel consumption? Is it easy to install and remove if you don't want to leave it on all of the time?

Yakima makes a new Whisperbar version that is supposedly much quieter with less affect on fuel consumption, but it also costs much more than their standard rack. I already have an old standard Yakima rack that I could cannibalize parts from if I go that route, but would need to buy new towers and clips.

[Pssst...passed you]

WInd noise is bad on mine, have not noticed fuel consumption being terrible.

[tom5191]

I lost about 1-2 mpg with mine, but never noticed any wind noise. But I also keep my stereo pretty loud.

[Tarwheel]

Thanks for the info, guys. The VW rack does look nice. Checking with Yakima directly for answers about wind noise and mileage, as well as updating or replacing my rack. They have lifetime warranties on their racks built after 2006, but unfortunately mine are older than that. I also have a Yakima hitch rack that I plan to put on Golf, and it can be easily installed and removed as needed.