Introduction & Garage Lift Question

[mvestor]

New to the E86 world, but not to M's in general. I was the winner of a recent Bring A Trailer auction (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2007-bmw-m-coupe-8/) and am excited to live out a childhood dream. I was the kid that collected car brochures from dealerships - needless to say the E86 M Coupe was a car I always hoped to own one day. My purchase is currently in pieces in a separate storage garage receiving a pretty thorough look through with mostly cosmetic items being sourced and replaced. So far it seems to be a great car that needs some TLC. Most importantly it can be driven without concern for collectibility and paint meter readings confirm what the previous owners documentation shows.

1st on the list are some E92 ZCP rims (unless I can find an aftermarket option).

But now the real question for you all - have any of you had any experiences with car lifts for residential garages? Ceiling height is not an issue, but I want to make sure I get a solid piece of machinery.

Paul

[Yillbs]

I have a Nationwide NW-2-9K-ACD, it's a decent lift. I'd recommend it.

[3798j]

You didn't mention a price range/limit for the lift. If price isn't a concern, most would look to Mohawk. They're ALI certified and the build quality is tops.
https://mohawklifts.com/

[wdb]

Oooohhhh a lift thread. I'm hoping to put one in this summer.

[pungo]

I was looking at 4 post drive on lifts so I could, work on vehicles as well as store one above the other. But since I don't think I'll be in this house more than 3-4 years, I purchased a Quickjack BL-5000 from costco for $1000 n sale. I've used is many times and have been impress with how quick it is to set up and put away. Sure, it doesn't compare to a real lift, but for many jobs, it works well enough. I've used it on my Z4MC, 525i, X3, 4runner and S10 pickup. It lifts up to 21" from the floor to the jack points and even higher with the optional adapters. It's very sturdy and I feel safe under it, though I do place 2 jack stands for extra security

[Cyclops]

Originally Posted by mvestor

New to the E86 world, but not to M's in general. I was the winner of a recent Bring A Trailer auction (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2007-bmw-m-coupe-8/) and am excited to live out a childhood dream. I was the kid that collected car brochures from dealerships - needless to say the E86 M Coupe was a car I always hoped to own one day. My purchase is currently in pieces in a separate storage garage receiving a pretty thorough look through with mostly cosmetic items being sourced and replaced. So far it seems to be a great car that needs some TLC. Most importantly it can be driven without concern for collectibility and paint meter readings confirm what the previous owners documentation shows.

1st on the list are some E92 ZCP rims (unless I can find an aftermarket option).

But now the real question for you all - have any of you had any experiences with car lifts for residential garages? Ceiling height is not an issue, but I want to make sure I get a solid piece of machinery.

Paul

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the forum! If you're thinking of the M359 ZCP rims, Avant Garde makes a decent set that I run in 19".

[jhm5]

A 2 Post lift gives you the most flexibility, if you're going to be doing stuff like brakes and suspensions. You'll need almost 12' clearance for a full height 2 post with cables and hydraulics routed overhead. You can get by with about 9.5' for a 2 post with cables routed under a floor plate, a minor inconvenience. A 4 post is good if you want to store one car over the other.
2 popular pro brands are BendPak and Rotary.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by 3798j

You didn't mention a price range/limit for the lift. If price isn't a concern, most would look to Mohawk. They're ALI certified and the build quality is tops.
https://mohawklifts.com/

I checked the *cough* entry level Mohawk A-7 two post lift. Got a price from the local distributor. You weren't kidding when you said "if price isn't a concern"! They're impressive, I admit. And the price I got included installation, but still. Ouch.

[3798j]

Originally Posted by wdb

I checked the *cough* entry level Mohawk A-7 two post lift. Got a price from the local distributor. You weren't kidding when you said "if price isn't a concern"! They're impressive, I admit. And the price I got included installation, but still. Ouch.

Yeah Dave, Mohawk is to lifts what Snap-On is to hand tools or what Campagnola is to bicycle componentry...uncompromised quality at ridiculously high prices. The fit and finish of the Mohawk lift I saw in a friend of a friend's shop impressed the heck out of me. Looking more budget-minded for a two post lift, I'd either look at Direct Lift, https://directlift.com/ or Atlas, https://www.atlasautoequipment.com/. My Direct Lift four post (with rolling jacks) has performed perfectly and allows me to do any work I care to tackle, and the Atlas lifts are getting good reviews over on the garage journal forum. Both are ALI certified.

[TAL2GK]

Bendpak 4-poster in mine and I love it. Just get a sliding jack tray if you want to do wheel or suspension work. I’d also recommend getting full length drip pans if you’re storing one over the other like I do.

[couchflyer]

Congrats on the purchase. I have an four post Advantage lift in my garage. Be sure you have enough ceiling height. I also bough the rolling jack with the hand pump. No buyers remorse. Going on the third year no issues.

[CloneZ4]

The Apex EC-7's are nice if you want to run 18":
https://www.apexraceparts.com/shop-b.../bmw/z4-m.html

[wdb]

I had a guy come out yesterday to measure my garage for lifts. They'd all fit, but the 2-post lifts would compromise the bay next to the lift bay somewhat -- get in the way of opening the car door. Not a deal breaker but more of an issue than I initially thought it might be. I had them work up a quote for a 4-post Challenger lift as well while we were doing it. The darn thing costs as much as a Mohawk 2-post! I need to find another source I think.

[couchflyer]

A two post lift is wider than a four post lift. Also, the cement floor needs to be thicker, I believe 4" minimum. I would have loved to have a two post lift, however I am accustom to using a four post lift and I am really happy with my four post lift.

[Z4M Fun]

I'm amazed at the difference in prices from the low end 2 post to the high end 2 post. From what I've read none are American made and come from overseas. The specs are similar but a prices from 2K to 5K ????
Are Bendpaks twice the machine of a Triumph
Purchasing a Triumph leaves 2K towards a new set of wheels Any input would be appreciated

[wdb]

Mohawk and Nussbaum are American made.

[Cyclops]

Originally Posted by wdb

I had a guy come out yesterday to measure my garage for lifts. They'd all fit, but the 2-post lifts would compromise the bay next to the lift bay somewhat -- get in the way of opening the car door. Not a deal breaker but more of an issue than I initially thought it might be. I had them work up a quote for a 4-post Challenger lift as well while we were doing it. The darn thing costs as much as a Mohawk 2-post! I need to find another source I think.

Have you thought about a single post lift? American Custom Lifts M1

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by pungo

I was looking at 4 post drive on lifts so I could, work on vehicles as well as store one above the other. But since I don't think I'll be in this house more than 3-4 years, I purchased a Quickjack BL-5000 from costco for $1000 n sale. I've used is many times and have been impress with how quick it is to set up and put away. Sure, it doesn't compare to a real lift, but for many jobs, it works well enough. I've used it on my Z4MC, 525i, X3, 4runner and S10 pickup. It lifts up to 21" from the floor to the jack points and even higher with the optional adapters. It's very sturdy and I feel safe under it, though I do place 2 jack stands for extra security.

Same here. I bought my QuickJack BL-5000 from Costco for $999.00 a couple of years ago. I have a bedroom above the garage and there's a large support beam that runs the width of the garage just about half way in so anything else is out of the question.

The QJ has worked for oil changes, brake pad replacement, wheel swaps, installing a cat-back exhaust system, and removing front bumpers. I've used it on my Z4 M Roadster, my M4, and my wife's M3. I can have a car 20" up in the air in 10 minutes. When not in use, they hang from QuickJack brackets on the wall, out of the way.

[wdb]

I'm getting a 4-post. Just signed the papers.

[Gamb1t]

For those with 4-post, are you anchoring the posts? I read that you don't have to.
Currently using a QJ5000 which I enjoy. But each time I stare at the 14ft ceiling I go.... "what a waste of air space".

[3798j]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

For those with 4-post, are you anchoring the posts? I read that you don't have to.
Currently using a QJ5000 which I enjoy. But each time I stare at the 14ft ceiling I go.... "what a waste of air space".

After a few months of use, I bolted mine to the floor...not because it was unstable (the 9000lb 4 post sits there like a rock even when heavy wrenching), but because my floor was too smooth and when driving onto the ramps, the lift started to "walk". Not by much, but I didn't like it or wanted that.

[wdb]

I decided not to finish the floor in our garage so we'll soon be finding out if a 9000 lb. lift 'walks' on unfinished smooth concrete. The lift guy I'm working with said even if it does all he would do is drop a couple of studs into the floor; no need to get carried away.