[GregoryK]

Bought a 3 ton jack. Thing weighs 70lbs and I have to store it in the basement. As the car weights 3500lbs can I get away with a 1.5 ton jack (3000 lbs)? Thinking you never lift more than half the weight of the car.
I guess even a 2 ton is better but those 1 1/2 tons are super light!

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

Bought a 3 ton jack. Thing weighs 70lbs and I have to store it in the basement. As the car weights 3500lbs can I get away with a 1.5 ton jack (3000 lbs)? Thinking you never lift more than half the weight of the car.
I guess even a 2 ton is better but those 1 1/2 tons are super light!

Get the lightweight low profile aluminum racing jack from Harbor freight. Easy to use and easy to move around and best of all it works really well. Find it here: https://m.harborfreight.com/15-ton-a...not%20provided

[GregoryK]

Originally Posted by rich8566

Get the lightweight low profile aluminum racing jack from Harbor freight. Easy to use and easy to move around and best of all it works really well. Find it here: https://m.harborfreight.com/15-ton-a...not%20provided

Yep. I'll pick one up on the weekend! Thanks!

[Ktmdriver]

The only jack from Harbor Freight that has a long enough reach to jack the M2 from the center jackpoint in the front is this model :

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...ump-68050.html

All the other jacks do not have enough reach. With this jack it’s easy to put jack stands under the jacking points.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by rich8566

Get the lightweight low profile aluminum racing jack from Harbor freight. Easy to use and easy to move around and best of all it works really well. Find it here: https://m.harborfreight.com/15-ton-a...not%20provided

Originally Posted by Ktmdriver

The only jack from Harbor Freight that has a long enough reach to jack the M2 from the center jackpoint in the front is this model :

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...ump-68050.html

All the other jacks do not have enough reach. With this jack it's easy to put jack stands under the jacking points.

Originally Posted by GregoryK

Yep. I'll pick one up on the weekend! Thanks!

Go ahead and pick up both!

The little HF jack is great for picking up one side of the car to change wheels and tires. Position it an angle and use the rear jack point and you should be able to lift the side to change two tires. It's small enough to fit in a track box that goes in your trunk and great to use at the track.

If you plan to do work in the garage then the center jack point at the front is the way to lift the car at the front and use a hockey puck/guibo under then diff (mind the fins - use the main unit not them ! ) to lift the rear axle.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by Ktmdriver

The only jack from Harbor Freight that has a long enough reach to jack the M2 from the center jackpoint in the front is this model :

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...ump-68050.html

All the other jacks do not have enough reach. With this jack it's easy to put jack stands under the jacking points.

Yes, but you can jack up one complete side of the car at one time by using the front or rear side jack points. Easy to do so I can easily mount and dismount two wheels and tires at one time. Great to swap track wheels and tires.

[GregoryK]

I've not done any major work on the car yet. On my MINI I could put jack stands under the front points by jacking up the back high enough to slide the stand under that side then doe the other. You guys don't think that idea will work with the M2?
That second jack recco is really heavy at 93 lbs. Honestly the whole idea is to get something light as I don't have a garage....any other thoughts?

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

I've not done any major work on the car yet. On my MINI I could put jack stands under the front points by jacking up the back high enough to slide the stand under that side then doe the other. You guys don't think that idea will work with the M2?
That second jack recco is really heavy at 93 lbs. Honestly the whole idea is to get something light as I don't have a garage....any other thoughts?

MINI is a different car.... much shorter wheelbase and the wheels are pushed out to the corners better.

if you are going to put it on jack stands.. I HIGHLY recommend you do it by starting from the front or the rear.

You can do everything you want with the small jack... it will reach to the rear fine. In lieu of using the super low jack on the front.. you can use ramps (which I detest) or alternatively, use two 2 X 6 boards and drive the front tires up onto them.. set the parking brake.. and that should get the front of the car in the air enough so you can have room to use the small jack to lift the front.

[GregoryK]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

MINI is a different car.... much shorter wheelbase and the wheels are pushed out to the corners better.

if you are going to put it on jack stands.. I HIGHLY recommend you do it by starting from the front or the rear.

You can do everything you want with the small jack... it will reach to the rear fine. In lieu of using the super low jack on the front.. you can use ramps (which I detest) or alternatively, use two 2 X 6 boards and drive the front tires up onto them.. set the parking brake.. and that should get the front of the car in the air enough so you can have room to use the small jack to lift the front.

This is great info.
So you are saying the car has 6 jack points? Were at the front and rear points.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

This is great info.
So you are saying the car has 6 jack points? Were at the front and rear points.

A video will be easier than 10,000 words.

Here is an excellent video that details what I've posted. BMW puts a center jack point on the front of the car. The rear differential is used at the back of the car. ( see my prior comments - the differential is an excellent place to jack from but be careful to go beyond the rear fins and jack from the main part of the diff -not any part of the cooling fins )

The video is of an F30 but shows the same points that will be on an M2 or most any BMW made in the 2010s.

[Bt12]

Originally Posted by rich8566

Get the lightweight low profile aluminum racing jack from Harbor freight. Easy to use and easy to move around and best of all it works really well. Find it here: https://m.harborfreight.com/15-ton-a...not%20provided

+1 in harbor freight. They have sales and then 20-25% off sales. Great quality too

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Go ahead and pick up both!

The little HF jack is great for picking up one side of the car to change wheels and tires. Position it an angle and use the rear jack point and you should be able to lift the side to change two tires. It's small enough to fit in a track box that goes in your trunk and great to use at the track.

If you plan to do work in the garage then the center jack point at the front is the way to lift the car at the front and use a hockey puck/guibo under then diff (mind the fins - use the main unit not them ! ) to lift the rear axle.

No need to go from the front to reach the front center jack point. Simply go from the side to reach the front center jack point.

[GregoryK]

This is great info guys. Thanks so much. Went to HF today! Great to see that the forum has people that love to work on there cars!
Thanks.

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by Ktmdriver

The only jack from Harbor Freight that has a long enough reach to jack the M2 from the center jackpoint in the front is this model :

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...ump-68050.html

All the other jacks do not have enough reach. With this jack it’s easy to put jack stands under the jacking points.

Trick: the car is stiff enough so that jacking from rear side jack point with something like the Harbor Freight racing jack gets the entire side off the ground so that its simple to slip a jack stand under the front side jacking point, etc, etc.

[doug_999]

Don't forget to pick up one of these if you are just going to be changing your tires...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...iABEgJIIfD_BwE

[voyagergab]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Don't forget to pick up one of these if you are just going to be changing your tires...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...iABEgJIIfD_BwE

Ha. I made the same thing from two hockey pucks, glue and a knife over 10 years ago lol. Cause it's Canada

[voyagergab]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

This is great info guys. Thanks so much. Went to HF today! Great to see that the forum has people that love to work on there cars!
Thanks.

Where did you find HF in Canada?

[GregoryK]

Originally Posted by voyagergab

Where did you find HF in Canada?

Buffalo. (Close in an M2)....On sale for $59. They are have a sale in a month and they are going down to $49. Looks decent for the price.

[Ex-MINI]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

Buffalo. (Close in an M2)....On sale for $59. They are have a sale in a month and they are going down to $49. Looks decent for the price.

Have you tried out the jack yet...will it reach the center rear jack point at the differential?

[GregoryK]

Originally Posted by Ex-MINI

Have you tried out the jack yet...will it reach the center rear jack point at the differential?

Have not but will report back.

[GregoryK]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Don't forget to pick up one of these if you are just going to be changing your tires...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...iABEgJIIfD_BwE

I would highly recommend these. I have had a set for years (fit the MINI too)
They are high quality any only $40 for 4!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-JACK-PA...-/191703163217

[MrKepan]

this is what i got
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...4333_200514333