Updated 6/2/2026: Edited to reflect that I’ve switched to full-time use and added quite a load to my RhinoRack!
I used a Yakima roof rack on my then-new 1988 Nissan Sentra for about 10 years. My 1992 VW Golf saw time with the same rack. There was no denying the marring to the paint over the years from long-term use. I opted against a roof rack when I bought my Mk3 Jetta in 1998. I moved to a hitch-mounted cargo tray and have stayed that course ever since. I still prefer to use my hitch carrier when I transport bicycles. Family trips drive a need for external cargo capacity. Here’s how I carry it:
Factory Volkswagen roof rack…
Volkswagen factory roof racks fit great, but they’re reported to be noisy, sit kind of high, and are not available in black. I wanted a style with flush, contoured crossbars for improved aerodynamics which would also help fuel economy and noise control. I was willing to sacrifice some capacity for style and aerodynamics. Yakima’s new “Flushbar” rack looks promising, but it was not available for the Mk7 Golf when I was shopping. Instead of another Yakima rack, opted for the Vortex 2500 RS, by Rhino Rack. It’s available in black, is low-profile, and uses a crossbar spread that matches the factory rack. However, it does not use the factory mounting points.
I had done a bit of research on mounting points and crossbar spreads. Most rack makers mimic Volkswagen’s 28-inch crossbar spread (±½”). However, I have no idea how each aftermarket company chose their mounting locations. I suspect it has to do with their selection of adaptive footpads and where they best match the contours of each car’s “gutter” and door jambs. The factory points are equidistant from the B-pillars and are marked very well in the door frame. The front mounting points for the factory rack center 10 inches from the top of the windshield. Thule, who’s rumored to make Volkswagen’s racks, centers their front crossbar at 9 inches; Yakima and Rola each center their front crossbars at just seven inches; and Rhino Rack centers theirs at a whopping 14 inches. Each company swears their location is highly researched, stable, and ideal. So does it really matter?! 
I mentioned marred paint in my opening paragraph. I didn’t expect to leave my rack mounted for extended periods. I’d wash the car immediately prior to mounting the roof rack, then I’d remove the rack as soon as I was done using it, which was usually less than a week at a time and just a few times per year. All of that changed after a coast-to-coast road trip in 2020. The rack was on the car long enough to mar the paint! My detailer’s best efforts could not remove the discoloration. Since I was using the rack more often after 2020, I decided that the best way to hide the paint defects was to simply cover them with the rack full-time! 😀
I mentioned noise, aerodynamics, and fuel economy above. I’ve shared details about my round of testing in this entry. Fuel economy is less important these days since I now carry a full array of ham radio antennas on the roof rack. I’ve made different modules that I can install/remove as desired. See KE4WMF.com for more details. Oddly enough, the noise is not bad at all; no worse than having a cargo box mounted. Speaking of cargo boxes, I have since moved to a smaller box by Thule since the antennas take crossbar space that had previously been used by the Showcase 15.
I still prefer to transport bicycles on a hitch carrier. The Rhino Rack is primarily for the antennas, a part-time radio tower, or a cargo box. A funny thing: The roof rack is almost like a “hat” now in that the car almost looks naked without something on its roof! I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to a clean roof. 😀 I almost wish that I had an Alltrack with its factory-installed roof rails now that my daily driven car is more of a pack mule than ever before! Regardless, I still enjoy my GTI and will use it to the max for as long as I can keep it running.
Expanding Utility,
Scott
Here is a comparison in roof clearance between the Rhino Rack and the OEM rack:
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the info. As someone who will be taking the rack on & off more frequently, can you comment on the ease and time of installation? Will this rack get old if I’m installing it and removing it a few times a month?
Thanks!
Matt – I guess that depends on you and how much you value your time and paint. I’ve read that VW recommends against having the rack mounted for more than a week or two (cannot quite recall) so that the door seals don’t develop a memory for their rack-mounted positions. I’ve left my rack mounted for a month without deforming the seals.
To me, the real bore would depend on what you have on the rack and how time-consuming the accessories are to mount. I only carry a cargo box, which is easy enough to mount and dismount. But several individual items may be a hassle or not. It all depends on how you go about mounting and dismounting. All you can do it give it a shot and see what you think. Good Luck! -Scott
Hi Scott,
Do you happen to know the part numbers for the fit kit components on your rhino rack? I just purchased this setup for my 2019 R, and have been having a hell of a time getting the clamps to seat properly in the door frame. While the part numbers all seem correct, I’m beginning to think some component may be mismatched. Appreciate any input.
Thanks!
Luke – Sorry to take so long to reply. I wanted to put my eyes on my pads to be sure. The rear pads are both M416 with the arrows pointing outward. The front right pad is an M415 and the front left pad is an M414, both with the arrows pointing outward. If you look at my photos, you’ll see one with a sticker that also marks the position of each tower. Also, despite the appearance in my photo album, the pads will not land perfectly in line with the seam on the roof. Where they appear perfect at the front of the pad, there is a small gap at the back. These pads are likely generically designed to fit a wide variety of roof tops. Let me know what you think. Also, where are you? -Scott
It just dawned on me that you may have been asking about the door clips instead of the landing pads. The front clips are SUB0464 and the rears are SUB0465. I did not verify the numbers on my own clips. I’m out of town; so, I got the numbers from the fit sheet.
Many thanks for the reply – very helpful! Those are all the same part numbers I have so I’m pretty stumped as to why they don’t sit flush. Tried them on my friends 17′ GTI as well and same issue. I’m located in NYC.
What do you mean by “they don’t sit flush?” Are you able to share a photo? If not, I’ve sent you an email so that you can send me photos as attachments.
Hey Scott,
Been watching your videos on youtube because Im in the market for a roof rack. Was seconds away from purchasing the OEM VW racks because I have a buddy at VW that can help me out but after watching your videos Im really interested in the Rhino Racks! Now the links that you set up on your youtube page for the Racks are no longer available. Can you point me in the right direction for the set up that you have? I drive a 2017 MK7 Golf R. I check my emails daily if you wanted to message me back on there!
Thank you,
Joshua
Hey Josh! I’ll reply here in the open for the benefit of other readers. The 2500RS system was replaced by the “ROC25.” It costs the same as before, but I think it has some improvements for better aerodynamics at the towers. See one at https://www.etrailer.com/p-RR23QR.html?hhyear=2017&hhmake=Volkswagen&hhmodel=Golf+R. Feel free to e-mail me via my “Contact” page for follow-ups. Take Care!
I’m not sure these racks would clear high enough to allow the oem sunroof to open fully. Perhaps that’s why the oem racks are so high.
Jeff – The Rhino Rack does clear the sunroof when it’s fully open. I shared photos in an album at the bottom of this page. I visited someone with a sunroof and mounted my rack. The photos include measurements. Thanks for visiting.
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