2007 R56, standard hatchback.

Cooper has four jack points, two on each side. For safety, never work on a car that's on a jack -- jack it up, put jack stands in place, ease the jack down a bit. However, If I use the jack points for the jack, then, there's no reinforced area for the jack stand to contact. So, what I have done for years is jack the car up with the jack contacting the underside just in front or in back of the jack point, put the jack stand under the jack point, ease the jack down.

Is there any other way to do get the jack stands in place so the jack points rest on the jack stand?

Thanks.

 

Not cheap but worth every penny
https://www.quickjack.com/
I got one a couple of years ago and it is the best investment a shade tree mechanic can ever make. Lifts up and safely locks into place.
It’s made by Bendpack which is a reputable brand that makes commercial lifts, so I’m confident the car won’t smear me into the garage floor. *cough *Harbor Freight jackstands * cough*

 

if you look underneath the car just past the Jack pads past the pinch weld you should see what looks like a box frame with a few holes in it front and rear. I use a foot long 2x4 on the front and raise up that side of the car, place the Jack stands in the Jack pads, then rinse and repeat other side. There are also front and rear Jack points, in the middle of the car, but I don’t have a long low profile jack.

 

BlimeyCabrio used to have a section on "How a 2X4 lifts a MINI" but he's taken it down apparently.
Here's another version not using a piece of lumber but the idea is the same. A 3' long stud works just fine placed between the jack points.

 

I go to the front subframe mount bolt. Lift here high enuf to get a jackstand at the front jack block. When I lower the car onto the jack bock the rear lifts off the ground as weight shifts. Easy to pickup the light rear for another jackstand as needed

2x4 method works fine as well

owner since 2002 ... 02s 07s r59s 1979

 

On my 2011 MCS, I usually place the jack on the pinch weld in a line below the side mirror, and back maybe 3 inches or so. That jacks up front and rear equally, then the jackstands are easy to place. Once that side is on the stands, repeat the process on the other side. It may take a couple tries with repositioning of the jack to get both front and rear wheels off the ground at the same time, but once you do, you could mark the pinch weld with some bright-colored spray paint so it's easy to find the center again. That's what I did.

 

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS!!

I found a YouTube video showing the 2X4 on the jack trick, which lifts the entire side without encumbering the jack points. Actually, the guy used a piece of pressure treated 5/4 decking, not a 2X4. I have a pile of short pieces of 5/4 decking left over from a deck job -- problem solved.

Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.