Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Any Lift Recommendations?

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  #26  
Old 10-30-2006 | 08:09 PM
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or, if not looking for storage

and you have a low ceiling and want a working lift, this one from bend pak is working great for us!
 
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  #27  
Old 10-31-2006 | 06:17 AM
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From: Kellie Picklerville
Here's my two cents on lifts.
I wanted one for years, finally have a shop with enough ceiling height and I considered my options very carefully before settling on an Autolifters 4 post 8000 lb model. It lifts more, longer, higher. So my cars will all lift, but even my Chevy crew cab Duramax (7000 lb) can be lifted for storage or service. I even had my John Deer 5210 tractor up on the lift the other day (mostly for fun.)
As previously mentioned, Autolifters is now out of business (legal issues, like taking money and not delivering -- allegedly of course.)
Here are the thought processes I went through, maybe this will help you.
First, permanent mount or portable. I went with portable because I understood that in my line of work, it was possible I'd move again, and I didn't want to deal with leaving my lift behind, or repairing holes in a garage floor. Plus, I have a big building (48-60) and I really wasn't sure on the layout, so I wanted to reserve my options and I've moved my lift several times, including once to use it as "scaffolding" when we put up ceiling lights.
Once you decide that, you can move to two post versus 4 post. Every two post lift I saw required permanent installation. Your floor must meet proper specifications to carry the point load and handle the possible uneven forces (sure wouldn't want that lift to tip or anchor bolts to pull out of the floor.)
Four post lifts are fine for storage and some service like oil changes and exhaust work, but for tire and suspension, you have to lift the car off the lift using jacks and jack stands. That means a jack tray, good jack stands, proper clearance on the ramps to fit the stands (can't have the ramps being too wide to allow for the jack stands at the rocker panel lift points.)
Some four post lifts are permanent mount and some are free standing.
Two post lifts are generally superior for service work, but the also usually cost more. And locating the car on the lift is more involved, with crawling around locating the lift arms at exactly the right places, etc. Can be used for storage, but not convenient for adding extra parking space for that weekend warrior.
Then, I looked hard at safety. I really didn't want the thing to drop a car on my head, and I was impressed by Autolifter's video of a fork lift hitting the four post lift with a car mounted in the up position, bending one of the legs partially under, and still holding firm. And testimonials of earthquake situations where the lift vibrated across the floor with a car up, but didn't fail. I liked the lock mechanism being so positive that it "couldn't" fail. I was a little less concerned with cables being enclosed and smoother looks. Function over form for me.
Finally, I wanted a lift I could install myself, to save $$ and because I am a DIYer. I had my lift shipped to a local freight terminal because there was a large extra charge for local delivery and off loading. Luckily I have a truck and car trailer and the terminal was able to load my trailer with the packaged lift (although it took them two fork lifts simultaneously because of the length and weight.)
My teenage son and I, with the use of a portable shop crane (Harbor Freight kind) were able to unload it piece by piece, assemble it, and it was actually very easy, just really heavy. More muscle would mean you wouldn't need a shop crane, but I already owned it and wasn't keen on hurting my back or trying to round up extra helpers.
So, I was looking for the best bang for the buck, and willing to compromise on some factors to achieve others like portability and cost at the expense of less convenience with some services.
I use my lift lots, but not usually for storage (I have enough space, if such a thing is possible) and I have no regrets other than the little anxiety that I own a lift with no existing manufacturer. If it breaks, I'll probably have to get resourceful and fix it myself. The only part which would be really difficult to replace would be the cables, and I highly doubt they'll fail in my lifetime. They are way over-rated for the application.
Hope this rambling helps!
 
  #28  
Old 10-31-2006 | 06:23 AM
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From: DC Metro
Originally Posted by 05s
and you have a low ceiling and want a working lift, this one from bend pak is working great for us!
I looked at that same scissor lift but it offered little more than what four jackstands can do. I was still game to try it, but looking at how much it weighs made me decide against it.
 
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