Has anybody used the interior bike rack for US model Avants. (Front bike fork connected in spare tire depression). Does one remove the spare tire and mount a fixture in its place?
I would be very interested in any information on this topic.

I too am most interested for my 2007 A6 Avant. After reading your post I tried to find the picture where I saw the setup but was unable to do so. Could you tell me where you saw it so I can resume my search?

Hi, I saw a picture in the A6 accessories booklet (in German) from the German Audi web site. It looks like you have to remove the spare wheel, however, it appears to be better that carrying the bikes on the roof (if one does not have too much luggage).
The part number is listed as: 4F9071134.

Talked to a helpful guy at VAG in the UK (www.vagparts.com)who sent me a picture of the interior rack. It looks great.

He told me that Audi shows it as not available for US delivery cars. Apparently most UK/EU cars are delivered without spare tires (mousse and air instead). It may be as simple as taking out the spare tire and putting in the rack but then again, maybe not.

VAG was willing to ship it to me but I decided against it -- having low profile tires in a pot hole strewn area and no spare seemed like a bad idea.

I developed a low tech solution: Put down the back seats and store the bikes flat inside. I bought two large moving pads. I put one under my bike to give it some padding. When carrying a second bike I put another pad over the first bike and then put then second bike on top. It works quite well. You don't even need to release the front wheels though I do when we are on a trip with luggage to free up space for the bags. It keeps the bikes dry, clean, and safe but does use up a lot of the interior space including the back seats.

I also chased putting a trailer hitch on that would accomodate a swinging bike rack. Couldn't find one that worked in summer 2006 but maybe there is one now.

<small>
<b>
Boston Jake
very happy owner of:

2006 A6 3.2 Avant
Cambridge Green with Amaretto premium leather</b>
Packages:
-PPX Premium package
-WTC Technology package with XM
-PAW Cold Weather Package
Individual options:
-PRF 18" 7-arm high polished alloy wheels with 245/40 all-season tires
-PGA Power opening/closing tailgate
Customer Order options:
-2ZM Heated steering wheel (why this isn't in the cold weather pack I don't get!)
-PDK Adaptive air suspension
- Manual Sun Shades
- Rear Side Air Bags

- Audi phone cradle with Motorola E815 - Verizon
- Audi base roof bars 4F9-071-151-666

- Added K40 bluetooth radar - don't love it, in fact starting to hate it - the rader that is, I love the car. </small>

Thanks boston jake. I have an almost identical method of transporting 2 bikes (also one can lean them against the side with a pad used between the bikes) and was looking at this option as one that would use up slightly less space. Perhaps will look at this when in Germany the next time. The spare could be removed and stored next to the bikes if this (interior bike rack) method would be very space efficient.
(If I would order a new Avant it would be exactly identical to yours). What great cars!

I too thank you for the information. I like your low tech. solution.

I also have a Cambridge Green Avant (2007) with:
Convenience package
Adaptive air suspension
Navigation system
Premium leather with sports seats
Paddle shifters
Sirius
Power tailgate
and voice control (self install from Kufatec)