Floor jack for x5?

[DuSh]

Greetings wonderful people,

I'm looking to buy a floor jack for occasional use only (not too heavy if possible), so was looking at something under $150 (I'll be using it only 2-3 times a year at most for occasional mods). I will of course use jack stands after I lift up x5.
Would appreciate any advise on following:

1. What lifting height to look for in a floor jack (our x5 has a good amount of suspension travel and I would imagine regular jack may not have enough max lifting height to lift wheels in air)?
2. Do I need a BMW jack pad between a jack and a car?
3. Is 3 ton floor jack good enough? Maybe even 2.5 ton is enough?
4. Any specific floor jacks you are using and can recommend?

Thank you

[surfcali]

Harbor freight 2.5 low profile is the one i have, no need for additional padding on the jack points - but make sure your rubber pads are on, mine was missing one - if so you can just pull one off another position and use accordingly before ordering a new one. Am I being sketchy?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by surfcali

Harbor freight 2.5 low profile is the one i have, no need for additional padding on the jack points - but make sure your rubber pads are on, mine was missing one - if so you can just pull one off another position and use accordingly before ordering a new one. Am I being sketchy?

Nice picture

[surfcali]

Sorry i made a mistake - mine is a Pittsburg automotive 3 ton floor jack with rapid pump low profile 2 1/8" - i purchased it at harbor freight for around $100 only years ago

[Doanster]

3-ton Craftsman here. 2.5 should be fine as well since you're jacking up one corner of the car, not bearing the entire weight of the vehicle (that's what people forget). However, the cost delta between the two usually isn't that much.
surfcali... I would at least put a jack stand under there even if you don't want to lower the car onto it. That way if something does go wrong, the car will drop on the stand first. Seeing you work on the suspension with only the floor jack supporting the car is scary.
As for the jack pads, the one I already have for my Merc coincidentally fits the PLASTIC (never seen rubber ones) jack box/points on our F15s. You can buy the same thing from Burger, ECS, etc. DuSh.

The rectangular boxes are what's already installed on our cars. I remember a very old thread where some dealers forgot to install them and members have found the bag of four either in the compartment in the trunk (along with the free net) or under the spare compartment.

The additional puck fits into the rectangle so that the plastic isn't crunched by using just the jack. You can buy that separately.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part.../ecs10721kt~3/

[CeeTeeX5]

Originally Posted by surfcali

Harbor freight 2.5 low profile is the one i have, no need for additional padding on the jack points - but make sure your rubber pads are on, mine was missing one - if so you can just pull one off another position and use accordingly before ordering a new one. Am I being sketchy?

I have that harbor freight low pro as well. Works great. No jack stands??

[surfcali]

@Doanster that's a good call, where would you put the jack stand?

[Doanster]

Originally Posted by surfcali

@Doanster that's a good call, where would you put the jack stand?

Many choices. Easiest would be directly to the left of the jack point which is the rail anyway. If a failure happens, your side skirt etc may get messed up, but you have bigger probs at that point anyway. Another area is under the front control arm, sub frame, etc.

[surfcali]

Thanks for the info! Trying not to wrench anymore

[cvillanFL]

Originally Posted by Doanster

Many choices. Easiest would be directly to the left of the jack point which is the rail anyway. If a failure happens, your side skirt etc may get messed up, but you have bigger probs at that point anyway. Another area is under the front control arm, sub frame, etc.

I usually lift from the center and put the stands at the jack points. I purchased a 3 ton jack from Costco a few years back for around $100 and haven't had any issues with it:

https://www.costco.com/3-Ton-Profess...100222458.html

[Doanster]

Originally Posted by surfcali

Thanks for the info! Trying not to wrench anymore

Yep, kinda the same for me. Time cost of money along with PITA factor. That and getting "old"/lazy as well.
I think it was the painted side marker install of all things that really pissed me off. Never should be that difficult to replace on any car. Drop the fender liner? Really BMW?!?

I'm returning my Merc somewhat back to stock, but am dreading seeing if I remember all the little nuances it took when I originally installed things like the grille, DRL fogs, etc.

[fosterelli]

Costco - I own three from there...they're relatively low profile, IIRC 2.5-3 tons each. Cheap, great return policy, and never had one fail.

If you don't have axle stands, at least slide your wheel under there with you...better to have a damaged wheel vs a damaged head.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

I have that harbor freight low pro as well. Works great. No jack stands??

I also own a harbor freights 2.5 ton low profile jack

[Doanster]

Swapping in the winter set again so snapped a couple pics of the jack adapter puck.

[turboawd]

great jack for $89


https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...ump-61282.html

use that coupon code until the 25th
19329729

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by turboawd

great jack for $89


https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...ump-61282.html

use that coupon code until the 25th
19329729

Thanks - that's what I bought today!

[redline9001]

Hopefully you bought some jack stands as well, I have had jacks fail on me it’s crazy that you would risk your life by not putting a $20 safety part under your car...

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by redline9001

Hopefully you bought some jack stands as well, I have had jacks fail on me it’s crazy that you would risk your life by not putting a $20 safety part under your car...

I did yeah, there were sale of aluminum (lighter supposedly) for $36 for a pair. It's really scary to go underneath the car even with jack stands for me

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by surfcali

Harbor freight 2.5 low profile is the one i have, no need for additional padding on the jack points - but make sure your rubber pads are on, mine was missing one - if so you can just pull one off another position and use accordingly before ordering a new one. Am I being sketchy?

Just a safety tip. Sit with you legs to the side, NEVER with them under the vehicle.

[Dirty Cash]

Probably a bit overkill, but I have the HF Daytona 3-Ton.

Haven’t had a need to use it yet, but it was time for an upgrade when I purchased the Daytona.

***This is not a pic of my jack, just one I pulled off the net...***

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Dirty Cash

Probably a bit overkill, but I have the HF Daytona 3-Ton.

Haven’t had a need to use it yet, but it was time for an upgrade when I purchased the Daytona.

***This is not a pic oy my jack, just one I pulled off the net...***

That looks really Pro

[Mr.47]

Anyone tried jacking up the front of the car, My E70 X5 and the F02 7 series had dedicated jack pads under the front subframe .