How to jack up the car?

[PC Valkyrie]

For my C55, I've always changed my own tires/rims (winter, summer, and track tires), and I've been using a Michelin jack to raise the car for the last 3 years.

As you can see in the pics below, my current jack will not work for the 135i for 2 reasons: 1) the car is too low for the jack that I have, and 2) it won't fit into the rectangular plastic jack point on the car.





Obviously, I can try to get a jack that goes lower to fit (like the top of the line Michelin Aluminum Jack) to solve problem #1, but what do people suggest I do about problem #2? Do I have to fabricate a custom "insert" into the floor jack to fit into that rectangular jack point?

Also, do people know about anything BMW dealers can offer for this "problem"?

[brendend]

for my mustang i drive up a piece of 2x4 and i can just squeeze the jack under. my buddy puts a 2x6 then a 2x4 since his is lowered and he can get it that way.

[InsaneSkippy]

I had this problem with my current DD after installing side skirts.

It's really simple to fix. Just get (2) 2x6" pieces of wood. Make a two staged ramp to drive up on. Drive one wheel up and you can fit the jack under.

EDIT: Here's what mine looks like:

[Motorsports_3]

I have the $80.00 low jack from harbor frieght. It is low, and has a bigger contact point, so it sorrounds the whole plastic rectangle. Works like a charm, I really reccomend it.

[BerkTechnology]

Buy yourself a set of plastic ramps. Drive up on them, then use your jack. Your jack won't go into the pads, the just but up against them. But your jack's lifting pad does look a little small.

They support the weight of the car as long as you aren't lifting the car by a corner. Those plastic lifting blocks are on most of the BMW's now, not just the 1er's. I've had plenty of BMW's on the lift with the lift pads directly on those plastic lifting blocks. Expect more and more cars to start using them in the future, not just BMW.

[ChrisK]

This is what I have...I think it is the same as the Harbor Freight Jack (HD offers free shipping).

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100594340

[cmd]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

This is what I have...I think it is the same as the Harbor Freight Jack (HD offers free shipping).

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100594340

I was looking at this elsewhere...it was $15 more + shipping. Never thought to check home depot. Thanks for the tip!

[ChrisK]

My pleasure. Sometimes Home Depot even surprises me

[bman6074]

Just get one of these and call it a day :biggrin:

[ChrisK]

That's great until you want to take off a wheel

[JTdrivin1]

is there anyway to put the1 up on jack stands? i wanted to take both fronts off, but couldn't figure out where to put the stands, so i just did one at a time.

[bman6074]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

That's great until you want to take off a wheel

You can jack the car off the ramps with the lift jack. I have used it and works great. I have 2 of them show in second pic. go to this link to see more pics of the jacks for more info http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Ph...8S/PROJACK3500

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

This is what I have...I think it is the same as the Harbor Freight Jack (HD offers free shipping).

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100594340

I got this same model from the local Pep Boys. Very light.

Craftsman has a similar low profile aluminum model that is better quality (and a little more $$$).

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Lift+Equipment

They also have a cheap low profile unit that would work too.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Lift+Equipment

[ML]

It may be worth noting that the Home Depot jack only has a 14-3/4" lift. It may be worth spending a little more money for something with about an 18" lift.

Mike

[jbenington86]

doesnt bmw make a jack specifically for there cars?

[Spook]

Originally Posted by nordique14

I got this same model from the local Pep Boys. Very light.

Craftsman has a similar low profile aluminum model that is better quality (and a little more $$$).

Got some pretty bad reviews though..

How about:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/in+your+garage/jacks+%26+stands/2-ton+floor+jack.do?search=basic&keyword=jack&sortby =newArrivals&page=1

[jrc]

I'd definitely avoid the 2x4 ramps on your $40K ($400K) car if i were you.

[ChrisK]

If you look at enough of these jacks, Craftsman, Torin, etc. They are identical.

[jksgoh]

Dont know if this will work on the 1 coupe, but on my mini i used to jack it up in the middle using a piece of 2X4 and then lower it on to stands on those plastic points.

[scottn2retro]

Originally Posted by JTdrivin1

is there anyway to put the1 up on jack stands? i wanted to take both fronts off, but couldn't figure out where to put the stands, so i just did one at a time.

This has been a problem that began after the e36s which had jack pad hole in the side, so you could jack the car without using the jack pads. And the bottom of the 135 has plastic undertrays everywhere.


What we did was (you would do this on each side)

Jack from the rear jacking pad and when the car was up, put one jack stand under the front jack pad and then put the other jack stand under the point where the rear V-brace bolts to the rear suspension - see pic below

That worked for home, but for racing, I'm having the cage builder fabricate a jacking point between the 2 jack pads on each side so we can use the jack pads for the jack stands.

[emm3tt]

Originally Posted by jrc

I'd definitely avoid the 2x4 ramps on your $40K ($400K) car if i were you.

I don't know if you're just trying to be funny, but driving on a flat piece of wood is substantially different from the video you posted. It's how I've been changing oil for years.

[scottn2retro]

With all the undertrays under this car, we had the cage shop put on some jacking points under each side of the car between the jack pads