Researching a new floor jack to work on my MINI. Any advice? It looks like Harbor Freight has a pretty nice aluminum 1.5 ton floor jack for ~ $140; anyone have any experiences??


Thanks in advance.

 

That'a a great jack and works very well even on lowered MINIs, plus it's light/small enough that you can pack it with you if you're going to autocross.

Dave

 

Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for; thanks for the insight!

 

$140.00!!!
I just bought that jack from HarborFreight.com last week for only $99.00 w/free freight!!! An Awesome deal! Check for their web specials...

 

i paid $16.00 from wal-mart.
works perfect.

 

Yeah, I got a jack & two stands for $30 from Wal-Mart. $160 or even $100 just doesn't seem justifiable...

 

The cheap ones (like I bought from a discount auto parts store) doesn't lift the vehicle as high as the Harbour Frieght ones in question. I've used the Harbour freight one and it reminds me of the ones the NASCAR pit crews use. Long thick handle, quality casters, long vertical throw, etc. Much more "solid" than my $25.00 I got... Since Randy did his pulley party, where I saw the HF one, I've been thinking about getting the better one.

 

I also have the "generic" aluminum jack. I bought it at Sam's club for $130 in the Spring. It's not as smooth as some Snap On jacks I've used, but it's also a fraction of the cost. BMW products seem to be a ***** to jack up (the M3 is worse than the MINI as far as jacking locations). They really want you to take it to the dealer where they have a lift...

I've had bad experiences with Harbor Frieght tools, but in this instance it's probably the same jack made in the same factory, so it's probably safe.

The biggest difference in jack quality is not how well it will raise a car, but how smoothly and controlled it will lower it. In this regard, the "race" jack is adequate, at best.

 

>>$140.00!!!
>>I just bought that jack from HarborFreight.com last week for only $99.00 w/free freight!!! An Awesome deal! Check for their web specials...


Hmm, somehow missed this one - have been looking for several weeks but didn't order until yesterday. First disatisfier is the fact that HF doesn't let you know if something is on backorder until you place the order (which happens to be the case here - status indefinite). This is a problem as really need the tool to do a brake job on my wife's car..

 

I've had my share of K-mart jacks...they are ok, but definately not quality or stable.
HF has my jack on backorder too... :???:

 

Checked Sears a while back. The only one they have that'll work on my lowered MINI is the aluminum job. Too big and bulky for what I want. I've learned to live with the one I have an a couple short 2x8 blocks. Once the car is rolled on the blocks, there's no problem with the jack fitting under it.