I know many old threads have covered getting our cars up on four jack stands. I always felt a little uncomfortable with the ModMini 2x4 under the door sill method, but I used it successfully until last week. Somehow the wood and my jack started to slide and I ended up doing some damage to my door and plastic rocker panel cover. So now I'm paranoid and looking for a better way. I found this Pelican article where they say to put the floorjack where the green arrow is, leaving easy access to the four square jackpoints.



Does anyone do this or think it's safer? Perhaps with a block of wood there instead of against the plastic in the ModMini method.

Other options:

• Quickjacks - undoubtably a good product but not cheap, and then I need to find room in an already packed garage (unless I can leave then on the ground, centered below where I park the MINI)
• Rennstands - I like the principle but they're quite expensive for what they are. Just two would probably help, but if buying a set of four, I'm basically 2/3 of the way to the price of Quickjacks.

What else am I missing? Any advise would be appreciated.

 

I have used a floor jack under the stock jack points, then put stands under the front and rear subframes. I would not use that point in the pic. My way takes time, but 5 or 10 minutes beats having a car drop on you.

 

I've been jacking from that point for years when I want to put the car up. I use a block of wood with the jack to try to spread out the load. I do think the reinforcement tunnel is bending some in that area. I bought a Quick Jack a few years ago but its such a hassle to move around and set up that I still prefer to use ramps when I can get away with it. I also store my R52 in the winter and like to put it up on stands, so I need to use a jack for that.

 

I have a pneumatic jack (air bag) that I use with my compressor. It will completely lift one side of the car so that you can quickly place two jackstands. It also has two wheels strategically placed (not in play when jacking) to ease movement. Hands down, it's the best and easiest jack I've ever used.

 

 

Where are you locating the airbag on the car while lifting?

 

I use a 4-ft. 2x4 on top of the jack (see ModMini) between the jackpoints on each side. I've never had an issue with it slipping but you need to ensure that the 2x4 is securely placed against the inside bottom lip of the door sill. The jack can also be easily placed under each jackpoint since it has a dense round pad on top.

Those four jackpoints should already have an integrated pad but they're often missing. https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/20.../jack_pad.html

 

I jack from the front jack point and then put wheel cribs from race ramps under the front wheels and stands under the rear jack points. Then I jack on the front subframe just inboard of the lower A-arm to put the front on stands at the jack points.

I’ve never had a problem with this method, but the Rennstands are probably a less sketchy solution.