Jacking the X5
 

I'm trying to figure out the best kind of jack to use for swapping wheels on my 4.41 come the fall. I know I need axle stands but which is better, a bottle jack or a trolley jack. I looked at a 3 ton trolley jack and it's expensive and pretty heavy to even move it around but a 2 ton doesn't seem strong enough.

Any suggestions.

A small trolley jack works very well. 2 ton is sufficient, but make sure you have sufficient lift. There is a jacking point under the engine in the centre that you need to be able to reach. If the jack reaches that far, it should work fine. If you will use the same jack on a lower vehicle with less clearance, ensure that it fits underneath. Cheaper jacks either don't go low enough, or don't lift high enough, in my experience.

Everyone that has a floor jack will have their fave...I bought a Larin 5000 lb
several years ago, similar to the one in the link. I think I recall paying $135 for
it. It just slips under my Vette and reaches far enough for the X.

I agree with JCL that a 2 ton is plenty; the full weight of the car is never supported by a floor jack.
If you need jacking point pics, try Search Tab as there are threads with pics.

Don't even think about going under the car while it is up on the trolley floor jack, however.
GL,mD

Larin Aluminum Floor Jack 2 Ton Capacity - Auto - The Garage Store

I have been using the Craftsman 3-ton jack for 5+ years and it does a perfect job.
Craftsman 3 ton Service Jack - Model 50139 at Sears.com

just curious never heard of the jacking point under the engine..can you elaborate and is it safe to jack under engine qm dont want to damage anything...i know the x has 4 jack points 2 behind front wheels and 2 in front of rear wheels...thanks rob

cav,
See post #6 in this link...there are other links that have pics, too, but
this diagram is pretty good. Yes, it's for E70, but my E53 looks damn
near identical underneath. That front "under engine" point is a nice
rock solid ridge; you can't miss it.
GL,mD

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...t-2007-x5.html

There is an article (in the Articles tab, next to Forums) on jacking points for the E53, in the Wheels section. It includes a photo of the front lifting pad.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...points-x5.html

Sure enough, the first responder in that thread from 2003 was MD :thumbup: Six years of the same questions, and still helpful and polite. Hell of a bunch of good people here.

I miss the old cars which here lifted via a bumper jack. ;) not like the 'sissy' bumpers on today's cars.

http://www.tvcrazy.net/tvclassics/wa...s/lift-car.jpg

Apologies for going off-topic

To make lifting the vehicle a bit easier, we do have our jack pad adapter kits available here:

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L > Search > Jack Pads - ECS Tuning Inc

http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/image.../On%20Jack.jpg

Since you're in Canada, check out the 2-1/2 ton trolley jack at Canadian Tire. It has a ratcheting lock mechanism that gives a little extra assurance in the event the jack hydraulics fail. It runs about $60. Got mine on sale for $35. It works great on my X5. Be safe, get a set of jack stands too(about $20-30 at Can Tire).