[Captain Cow Pat]

Hi, I'm half way through changing over to winter wheels/tyres and I now find I have a problem. Lifting the back of the car was easy, put the jack under the diff. But where the hell do I put the jack to lift the front? As I don't fancy punching a hole through the floorpan instead of lifting the car! All of the front suspension points seem too far away from the edge of the car. There is not much clearance under the car.

[-AndyH-]

http://cache.bmwusa.com/PDF_667bfab0...642d94b1e.arox

Page 213

[f1swk]

just done mine too,there is lifting blocks built into the sills just at the bottom of the side skirt

[Rhino707]

Originally Posted by Captain Cow Pat

Hi, I'm half way through changing over to winter wheels/tyres and I now find I have a problem. Lifting the back of the car was easy, put the jack under the diff. But where the hell do I put the jack to lift the front? As I don't fancy punching a hole through the floorpan instead of lifting the car! All of the front suspension points seem too far away from the edge of the car. There is not much clearance under the car.

I bought a BMW jacking adaptor off Ebay. They are around £10 and let you use a trolley jack in conjunction with the jacking points that are meant for the BMW scissor jack. I've just used it to change over to the winter wheels.

You also need to remember to chock the front wheels when doing the rears if you don't have x-drive!

[Captain Cow Pat]

Problem solved, thank you. summers having been thoroughly cleaned are now in my garage. Arch gaps look big as the cars just been lowered back to the ground and not been driven anywhere.

[danny_cotw]

What size and design wheels/tyres are those Captain? Am looking to get a winter set for my 330d x-drive but was worried 17" would look ridiculously small on the car compared to my summer 19"s and there is quite a price difference between a set of 17s and 18s.

[jbtco]

The 5 spoke M sport 18s that I have just fitted with the winters to replace M sport 19s certainly show off the blue brake caliper covers rather well (having cleaned them while the wheels were off). Dont know if it is the 18s or the non runflay pilot alpine but the ride is smoother, though I am not unhappy with the 19 & runflat setup for Summer (but my other drive is a Z4MC on 19" CSLs with pilot supersports which can loosen teeth on the wrong roads)

[Captain Cow Pat]

Originally Posted by danny_cotw

What size and design wheels/tyres are those Captain? Am looking to get a winter set for my 330d x-drive but was worried 17" would look ridiculously small on the car compared to my summer 19"s and there is quite a price difference between a set of 17s and 18s.

These are design: V-spoke 413 with 225/50R17 I paid £1572 instead of £1700

[RichardM]

I bought a jack adapter off ebay too, so I can use my trolly jack to lift the car otherwise it will ruin the jack points. I just lifted the car from the front jack point and was able to change front and rear at the same time.

[Captain Cow Pat]

Originally Posted by RichardM

I bought a jack adapter off ebay too, so I can use my trolly jack to lift the car otherwise it will ruin the jack points. I just lifted the car from the front jack point and was able to change front and rear at the same time.

I shall look into it.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

I saw these adapters on eBay and hadn't considered they may be a mandatory item!

How else will I clean the back of my wheels etc...

More money.

[matk]

I have them for the new car i trashed the jacking points on the e91 basically just winging it, they are sacrificial and can be replace but i decided to pay the £10 quid for the adaptor. I have seen on some sites people also use a hockey puck if you have one lying around.

[Poohbore]

I have a pair of those for SWMBO's E46. I've trimmed them so they sit nicely in the top of my axle stands. Makes me feel a little more secure that nothing is going to move.

[PurpleTT]

These trolley jack adaptor pads, do you mean these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-55mm-B...item258186c88b

[-AndyH-]

That's the one. It's worth spending a tenner on one, otherwise you end up damaging your jack points and spending £50 on a new set.

[jakeb1]

I made some out of a thick piece of ply (inch or so) I had. Just a rectangular block to fit inside the plastic liifting point and then lifted on a normal trolley jack!

[RichardM]

One problem I have is what the car sits too low to get my trolley jack under the jack points. My solution is place a brick in front of one front wheel, drive up onto it, then I can jack the car up. I do the same after fitting the wheel, lowering it onto the brick, then roll off after.

I know some trolley jacks have a low lift point but mine doesn't!

[matk]

I like the concept but maybe a sandbag would be a better idea mate. I think the brick maight be awkward to get the car set right onto it. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-JUTE-HES...item27d4668338

I found some on ebay. Only cheap I think thes would be better just need a bag of sand from B and Q.

[Defero]

Originally Posted by RichardM

One problem I have is what the car sits too low to get my trolley jack under the jack points. My solution is place a brick in front of one front wheel, drive up onto it, then I can jack the car up. I do the same after fitting the wheel, lowering it onto the brick, then roll off after.

I know some trolley jacks have a low lift point but mine doesn't!

I have purchased a trolly jack with a low profile:

Clarke CTJ2000A 2 Tonne Aluminium Trolley Jack

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...m-trolley-jack

The main drawback for me is the cost, its cheaper to take the car to a garage.

The jack pads are great and well worth getting as without them you risk damage to the jacking points.

[-AndyH-]

I have a Costco Arcan Aluminium Jack....was £113 or so (inc VAT) but well worth it. Will last me many years.

[f1swk]

Originally Posted by -AndyH-

I have a Costco Arcan Aluminium Jack....was £113 or so (inc VAT) but well worth it. Will last me many years.

with one of these you dont need pads and it fits under easily