Thanks for everyone's advice a few weeks ago when I was looking for a roof box, I now have one and am pleased so though I'd share pictures

I went for a Hapro Zenith 8.5 from Autow Warehouse (no affiliation, only place in the UK you can get them from). I tried the smaller Zenith 6.5 but it was only just long enough for my existing skis and if I get longer ones in the future I'd regret it - and anyway, size matters! It is quite wide, especially at the rear (the roof rails are narrower as they get to the back) so I'll need to look at a little packing to get a perfect fit and ensure it doesn't rest on the plastic cover for the rails' locking mechanism; but this is easily done and didn't put me off.

I went for the Hapro as it came with clamps that opened wide enough to fit my Prorack Whispbars (model S44 for the octavia estate). The Thule ones were not able to open wide enough to drop straight on which ruled them out. Also means I didn't have to invest any more money in a set of T-track adaptors. Cost came into it too, 490 litre box with all the fittings included for £291 can't be bad.

I drove back about 100 miles today and the mpg was identical to the drive there. I noticed a slight (and really was slight) noise above 50-60 ish, but nothing serious, and even going a little faster on the motorway it didn't annoy me.

Quite sleek and aerodynamic (and looks quite good I think):

Quite long but tailgate is able to open fully:

Rear 3/4 view:

This is a close up of the clamp fitting on to the Whispbars (excuse the splattered flies):

And from inside:

The clamps are fully adjustable length-wise and are tightened from inside, this shows it unlocked:

And to lock just press the red disc like so:

It opens from both sides:

To prove it:

Down side is I had to unscrew the aerial to make it fit (the 6.5 was OK as it sat far enough forward). I'll either try and shuffle it forward a bit so I can fit the aerial or ...... try something else:

And a couple to finish off with:

So, have roof bars and roof box, rubber boot mat (which is really good), rubber mats, and a set of steel wheels fitted with winter tyres in the garage ready to go on in a couple of weeks time - bring on the ski trip

That looks great, sleek, stylish, practical. Good job!

Looking good, i love Scouts particularly that grey colour looks fantastic.

Just to confirm, £291 for the box, bars and clamps? If so that is great value

It's a shame to go all that way without the radio though.

Nice Scout too, was there an options box you didn't tick!?

Polished alloy's, silver roof rails, xenon headlights, sunroof...

As mine has a towbar I went for a trailer in the end, still need more storage though so may have to considor a roof box too

Just to confirm, £291 for the box, bars and clamps? If so that is great value

It's a shame to go all that way without the radio though.

Nice Scout too, was there an options box you didn't tick!?

Polished alloy's, silver roof rails, xenon headlights, sunroof...

Ah, when I said £291 for the box and 'all the fittings' I meant the included clamps for attaching to the bars - as opposed to having to get some adaptors, eg t-track, that I would have needed to do if I'd bought a Thule box. The bars were an additional £150 (plus delivery) and I bought them a few weeks ago. The slightly smaller Zenith 6.5 was £40-50 cheaper, but wanted to be sure I was future proofed (if there is ever such a thing).

The aerial removal wasn't part of the plan, but have you ever tried listening to French or German radio for extended periods, it'll not be missed much - maybe it'll be just the nudge I need to work out how the SD card thingy works!

It was my first new car for ages, and I plan on keeping it for a long time so thought I'd splash out, especially as DtD were doing a cracking deal and there was the 0% VAT offer on too - not counting the £300 compensation cheque I got back for waiting such a long time for delivery - bit of a bargain really

Thinks ..... Bluetooth & MDI, sure there are more but these are the ones that spring to mind

Damn those wispbars look good. I bought Thule for my Outback and went with them again for the bars for the Scout, getting a reasonable trade-in in the process. But the wispbars would have been much better.....

Damn those wispbars look good. I bought Thule for my Outback and went with them again for the bars for the Scout, getting a reasonable trade-in in the process. But the wispbars would have been much better.....

Glad you like, although I was a bit worried for a few weeks and thought I might have been guilty of prioritising form over function when it looked like they were too wide for (Thule) clamps to fit - thankfully Hapro to the rescue

Is there any particular reason that you haven't gone for t-bolts for the roof box?

Glad you like, although I was a bit worried for a few weeks and thought I might have been guilty of prioritising form over function when it looked like they were too wide for (Thule) clamps to fit - thankfully Hapro to the rescue

I nearly went for these for my Octavia Estate to carry a KAMEI Corvara 475 DuoLift. But decided they where too low and would impede the aerial. I really like the Wispbars as I already have a set for the other car (A6 Avant) unfortunately I can't use them on the Octavia (different width): I use the T Track adapters as the roofbox came with them

Is there any particular reason that you haven't gone for t-bolts for the roof box?

Ease of use and cost are the real reasons.

You don't need tools to use the clamps, they came inside the box, and they are really quick to use.

The t-track adaptors would have been extra cost if I'd bought a different make of box (eg Thule, Kamei etc), and I think £291 for a large dual-opening box is a bargain, especially when you compare it to better known brands that can cost more than twice the price for similar spec (OK, I know people will quote quality etc but to be honest what I've seen so far I'm a happy man).

I nearly went for these for my Octavia Estate to carry a KAMEI Corvara 475 DuoLift. But decided they where too low and would impede the aerial. I really like the Wispbars as I already have a set for the other car (A6 Avant) unfortunately I can't use them on the Octavia (different width): I use the T Track adapters as the roofbox came with them

The aerial having to be removed is a bit of a bummer, but it is the only down side and I'll work round it somehow.