Thule SmartRack XT Roof Bars for BMW 3-Series Touring 5-Door Estate 2005-2011 with Roof Railing

• No Mounting Points
• Smooth Roof
• No Rails or Fixtures
• Roof Bars Clamp to Door Frame

A normal roof is one that has nothing on top at all.  If you have anything on top of the roof such as rails or fixing points (sometimes found under a removable/retractable strip) then the vehicle is NOT a normal roof.  Fittings will clamp to the door frame where it shuts.

• Has Rails (No Gap)
• Sit flat on roof
• No space underneath
• Special flush rail fittings needed

Flush rails are normally visible rails parallel to the doors on the roof.  A flush rail does not have a gap meaning you would not be able to put your hand underneath and wrap your hand around the rail.

• Rails (With Gap)
• Sit above roof
• Gap underneath rails
• Universal raised rail fittings needed

A visible rail which is similar to flush rails but there is a gap underneath that will allow you to put your hand under and grip the rail.  These normally sit higher on the roof than a flush rail.

• Hidden Mounts
• Small cover flaps
• Fixed points under the cover
• Specific fix point kit required

Fix points can be found on the roof of the vehicle and are usually above each door.  Sometimes they are hidden under a strip or cover.  The fix points allow the fittings to be screwed to the roof securely.

Fix points the same as shown above but with a sunroof.  This will clearly be stated in the product description.  Fitting roof bars across a sunroof will limit the ability to open the sunroof fully.  Check with us for confirmation before ordering if this is important to you.

• T-shaped channel running along the roof
• Accessories slide into the track system
• Common on vans and larger vehicles

Found on some larger vehicles such as Land Rover Defenders, VW Transporters, Porsche Cayenne and more.  A t-shaped groove visible in the roof similar to the diagram above.

• Roof has a visible raised gutter along the edge
• Common on older vehicles, vans and 4x4s
• Roof bars clamp directly onto the gutter

Rain gutter roofs feature a raised channel running along the edge of the vehicle’s roof. This type of roof is most commonly found on older vehicles, vans and some off-road vehicles. Roof bars attach by clamping securely onto the gutter, making them one of the simplest systems to fit. Always check the compatibility of the bars with your specific vehicle, as weight limits and gutter strength can vary.

• Built-in crossbars already on the vehicle
• Often foldable or integrated into the roof
• No additional bar system usually needed

These are built in foldable crossbars found on a few vehicles including Dacia Duster and Subaru Outback.

• Flush rails sit flat with no gap
• Fixing points built into the rail system
• Requires vehicle-specific fitting kit

We are increasingly seeing more vehicles like this.  If your vehicle has flush rails, it may have fix points built into the flush rail.  So by choosing flush rails on our site, the roof bar kits shown may include parts for a fix point roof.  Do not worry, this is correct.