This may very well be old news to everyone else (except me) and tried to title the thread so it wouldn't cause unnecessary panic. But thought I would post it in case it isn't. If it saves someone's life, it's worth the thread clutter. Ignore if you don't buy your jack stands at Harbor Freight.

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/di...dels-affected/

Also, I highly recommend Esco Shorty Tripod jack stands. They are perfect for the Mini....and I find much easier to work with than the regular sized Esco's. More importantly, they seem much more stable, and safer to me than the traditional style. But I'm sure that is a function of preference and possibly method.

Stay safe!

 

Another recommendation for the Esco stands. Mine are regular rather than shorty. They are very stable and accidental release is impossible.