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      07-16-2018, 07:58 AM   #1
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Jack stands and jack advice for newbie?

I am looking at getting a floor jack and a set of jack stands for my new-to-me '12 e92.

As I don't want to get crushed to death, I don't want to buy sketchy jack stands etc...

Any recommendations on brands, models, weight limits I should look at etc... So I don't kill myself?

I was gonna get Harbor Freight jack stands yesterday, but I opted to to check if something else would be better.

Thanks for helping me stay alive =)
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      07-16-2018, 08:50 AM   #2
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I use Harbor Freight stuff and have never had a problem. I got their low profile steel jack for around $75 and it has worked very well (still not low enough to get under the front/center jack point without lifting the side).

The jack stands can be problematic because of BMW's jack points with the rectangle hole. You can find stands made for BMW that fit in there but can be pricey.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=685917

I Just cut a block of wood to fit in the hole and use a regular stand. Others have come up with some creative modifications to stands. Have are some from a google image search:







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      07-16-2018, 08:57 AM   #3
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These look nice, but you still need to insert a block in the jack point

https://www.sears.com/schwaben-alumi...FRLH4wcdaqIN6w
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      07-16-2018, 09:04 AM   #4
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HF jack is fine. I have Craftsman flat top stands
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      07-16-2018, 09:44 AM   #5
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HF jacks are fine for the price, I also have one (lightweight Aluminium 3Ton). If you don't want to improvise on the stands, Esco with flat tops seem to work great for most. Pricey but look up discounts on them online. You can get them at least $60-65 each. Reverse Logic US has some modified ESCO stands that work well with the BMW jacking points. Look them up.
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      07-16-2018, 09:54 AM   #6
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For the jack, get a low profile one so it can easily get under your car (and the Porsche you eventually own). But make sure it can lift high enough to put the jack stands under.
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      07-16-2018, 11:43 AM   #7
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At one time Lincoln floor jacks and A/C jack stands (which ESCO is a copy of ) used to be a high quality set up. But I think both Lincoln and A/C stopped or withdrew due to insurance (some may say cheaper competition).

For a while Arcan 3-ton Chinese made floor jacks at Costco for $100 was a great buy and a very heavy good jack, but haven't seem them in stock in recent years.

Brunnhoelzl jacks are one of the best aluminum jacks http://www.brunnhoelzl.com/pro_flat_jacks.html

I dont like anything other then 3000pound capacity https://pitstopusa.com/i-5067382-all...cing-jack.html. - because even when you have the car on jack stands you can add the floor jack as an extra precaution to take weight off the stands.

And this http://www.acjacks.com

I personally would not get under a car using any Harbor Freight branded jack or stand.
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      07-16-2018, 12:14 PM   #8
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Thanks guys, I am ordering a set of modified ESCO 10498's from Reverse Logic US with their custom BMW mounting block on the pivoting posts. Better safe than sorry... I will continue with the floor jack search next =)

I figure my life is worth $290 in jack stands....
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      07-16-2018, 12:17 PM   #9
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+1 on the Harbor Freight jack stands... could you imagine they cheap'd out and used a metal that was prone to failure?! There would be people getting killed all over the place.

Its a non issue.
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      07-16-2018, 12:38 PM   #10
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Regarding the floor jack, I would recommend you get a low profile but long base.

This will make jacking up the front or rear center point a breeze.
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      07-16-2018, 12:39 PM   #11
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I’ve been very, very pleased with the Torin T43004 and Reverse Logic blocks
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      07-16-2018, 01:25 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by withoutink View Post
Thanks guys, I am ordering a set of modified ESCO 10498's from Reverse Logic US with their custom BMW mounting block on the pivoting posts. Better safe than sorry... I will continue with the floor jack search next =)

I figure my life is worth $290 in jack stands....
Yup. The ESCO are great. Nice job!
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      07-16-2018, 01:53 PM   #13
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Those do look nice.

FYI They are on eBay for $170/pair

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-of-ESC...4383.l4275.c10

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      07-16-2018, 01:59 PM   #14
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I want to get Esco stands, but that's a lot of $ for something I don't need. My old school Craftsman jack stands have been working for years.
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      07-16-2018, 02:05 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Never_Enough View Post
I want to get Esco stands, but that's a lot of $ for something I don't need. My old school Craftsman jack stands have been working for years.
The normal ESCO 10498 stands work well on our cars as well.

Can get them for around $55/each on Amazon.

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      07-16-2018, 02:37 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
The normal ESCO 10498 stands work well on our cars as well.

Can get them for around $55/each on Amazon.
Those are what I'm talking about. $200+ for jack stands. I just can't do it. I no longer own a BMW.
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      07-16-2018, 03:46 PM   #17
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If you've got the cash, get a mid-lift like the QuickJack or EZ Car Lift.

To quote someone from the QuickJack thread:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruuuce View Post

How did we live without these things. ��
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      07-16-2018, 05:01 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
The normal ESCO 10498 stands work well on our cars as well.

Can get them for around $55/each on Amazon.

Yeah, for about $70 more total (for 4 jack stands) you can get the updated post with the blocks that fit the BMW jack points... Also, he sells the round padded pivot heads if you want too for $50 a pair.

To me, it's a bit of extra money and peace of mind.
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      07-16-2018, 07:59 PM   #19
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id recommend the ez lift or the esco stands
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      07-16-2018, 08:24 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by withoutink View Post
Thanks guys, I am ordering a set of modified ESCO 10498's from Reverse Logic US with their custom BMW mounting block on the pivoting posts. Better safe than sorry... I will continue with the floor jack search next =)

I figure my life is worth $290 in jack stands....
Just get the regular ESCO stands. The modified ones will work only on the E9X chassis... Stupid to get modified ones; they are no more safe the regular ESCO stand.

The walls of the lifting pads DON'T BREAK when the correct flat-top stand is used underneath them. The walls of the lifting pads DON'T BREAK when used with a floor jack correctly. If they do get damaged somehow, the lifting pads are easily replaceable and cost $12. Adapters are not necessary.

BTW since your a newbie, and I've had my E90 over 12 years and 300,000 miles, I've probably stood under my car on a lift working on it for more hours you've spent driving your car. Not being a dick, just trying to make a point. My car still has 3 of the original lifting pads on it. I'd sleep like a baby under the car. The reason the pads break is because people do not know how to use them correctly. Adapters are not necessary. And you are correct, your life IS worth more than $290. Kudos for realizing that.

Here's the jack you want:
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Last edited by Efthreeoh; 07-16-2018 at 08:45 PM..
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      07-16-2018, 09:11 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post

Here's the jack you want:
do you know if that bad boy will reach our center jacking points?

also, just get the flat top esco stands. the stuff that fits inside the bmw jack points is unnecessary.
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      07-16-2018, 10:48 PM   #22
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Why is everyone spending hundreds of dollars on jack pads when a block of cut hardwood will do?

Because I couldn't bothered cutting some wood, I just spent $10 USD on four:

Quality made direct from ShenZhen

Same with the low profile jacks... If you've got $300 to spare, go and buy a nice long reach low profile trolly jack.

If you don't, grab a length of of 8"x1" timber, then cut & screw it into two lengths as a step arrangement like this:

-------------------
--------------------------------
-----------------------------------------

Then just drive the end of the car you're lifting onto your brand new 3" ramp and use your trusty old standard height standard depth trolly jack.

Last edited by xQx; 07-16-2018 at 10:54 PM..
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