Roof rack and other accessories

[aerohydro]

I'd like to get a set of roof bars for my Octavia for carrying building materials, canoes, bikes etc. I've used the ProRack ones before on other cars. These have a rubber coated base which sits on the roof and metal clips which hook under the top edge of the door frame. These are ok, but are prone to sliding back and forward. Also, the rubber pad tends to damage the paintwork over time. The Octavia has threaded holes which accordng to the manual are the mounting points for the roof rack. Has anyone fitted any sort of roof rack? Any comments or suggestions?

Now, I have the official floor mats, but for my purposes carpet just isn't good enough. I'd really like the deep dish rubber mats, but the readily available ones are nowhere near fitting the driver's footwell with the floor-mounted accelerator pedal and the footrests. Has anyone found something tough and mud-proof that fits?

Also, does anyone bother with headlight protectors? Do the plastic lights eveb need them? I've used the thick plastic film stuff on glass headlights in the past.

Thanks,

Leon.

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

I've got the Prorack ones on my Octavia RS Wagon which attach to the cross bars. I assume you have the Ocy hatch/sedan?

[aerohydro]

Yeah the hatch, so no rails.

[K1W1]

The Octavia has threaded holes which accordng to the manual are the mounting points for the roof rack. Has anyone fitted any sort of roof rack?

These are Thule racks they have been on the roof for 18 months. You do get a wind whistle like with most racks (strangely not when there are bikes on). They don't move they are rock solid. Over time the brackets that clip into the holes on the door frame wear holes in the door seals.

[aerohydro]

Ok, some progress. I bought some rack and fitted them. I'm pretty happy with them, they seem to fit well and are nice and solid.

I couldn't find any rubber floor mats which even remotely fit the floor, so I bought some generic ones and cut them to fit. Not the most elegant things in the world but they should help contain the inevitable filth that accumulates in any car I drive.

[dArK5HaD0w]

sorry, but that's just wrong!

[aerohydro]

sorry, but that's just wrong!

What would you suggest? My current alternative is to put my muddy boots on the carpet mats.

[Mysticality]

What would you suggest? My current alternative is to put my muddy boots on the carpet mats.

Works for me.
I vaccuumed the carpet mats after spending a long weekend in Penrose State Forrest (red dust, white dust, orange dust) and it looks brand new again.

Although, if you're determined rubber mats are the way to go, thats certainly the right way to do 'em.