I was trying to remove one of my wheels and it is stuck on. The absolute hunk of crap jack that comes with the car bent in half! Anyway, I am going to buy a good floor jack but I can't figure out where to jack up the car from and where to put the (rear) jack stands once it is up.

 

Replace the lug bolts, leaving them about three turns loose, lower the car. Rock the car back and forth by pushing. Step hard on the brake going in either direction. This will break loose the corrosion, but the bolts will still be engaged enough to hold the wheel on. Raise the car once again, remove the bolts and the wheel.

Clean the hob surfave and the mating surface of the wheel with a wire brush and apply a THIN coating of anti-seize or high temp brake caliper grease to the mating surfaces before reinstalling the wheel to prevent this in the future.

 

I have used this method with great success...from the Webb Motorsports Garage How-to section

Good luck,
Sean

 

The jack that comes with the Mini might as well be a one-use disposable. The only good thing about it is compact and light to carry in the boot for the unlikely event of a flat.

 

I was using that method until I noticed the jack was denting that spot. Lately I've been using the rail that runs the length of the car and you can see in that pic between the jack and the stand. It is right below the cableing, and you can jack right on the plastic that covers it. I use a ~12" 2x4 on the jack to disperse the weight. If you jack on the rail w/o the board you'll dent it.

I've also had good luck turning the jackstand 90 degrees and sticking one of the tangs into the jack point.

Another option if you want to drop $200 on jackstands:

http://www.ultimategarage.com/minijack.htm

 

Yeah I noticed this as well. I'll have to try your suggestion. Thanks.