E70 jacking height
 

so i'm about to attempt changing the brakes on my 4.8i
it came with run-flats, therefore no jack. obviously i'm not very keen on coughing up $100+ to get the BMW one but googling for E70 jacking height has so far not yielded any useful information. does anyone know the minimum height required to get the wheels off the ground?

In any case, do not work under any jack, but only jack-stands.

Just buy a decent floor jack and a pair of jackstands. IMO fine to hold it up with a jack and use a jackstand or tire as a 'safety'. I would NEVER EVER work under a car on the OE jack thing....

I think if you get one that can lift to at least 19", you will be good.

Yes but you do not ever work under a car supported only by a jack, especially a tire changing jack. If you value your well being you always have a jack stand or other safety measure.

1. Use a Floor Jack to lift the Car from under the Control Arms
2. Position/ install your JackStand at the BMW assigned lifting points
3. Release the floor jack slightly until the vehicle rests on the JackStand and tighten it back up.

Yes, always support the car with jack stands if you are going to lift up the car. I took his question has to how high the car needs to go in order to be able to take the tires off the car and I think 19" lift height should do it. I'd also recommend a pair of wheel chocks for the wheels that aren't lifted up.

Get a floor jack from harbour freight that supports 3 tons you should be good. They have plenty of lift, also get 2 jack stands if you planning on lifting both fronts or rears off the ground and use the stands.

Of course never rely on a jack alone to support the car

I disagree. From where will come the force parallel to the floor? Inadvertency, one might say, but as likely to overcome the chock resistance.

In any case, if the wheels are chocked, then four must be used - left and right, fore and aft.

Done brake job in addition to rotating tires, all with 2 stands and 1 2.5-ton jack.
1. Lift the vehicle front by jacking up the spot in the center front of the vehicle.
2. Rest the vehicle on jack-stands on front sides. The jack is now free to lift the back if needed. Note: Lift the back side by jacking up the transfer case, but be careful not to use transfer case cover!

yeh, i got myself a 12t bottle jack. that was the only unit at an acceptable price point that lifts to about 20". seems a bit OTT but it was like half the price of the next cheapest viable alternative. i wasn't gonna trust a $20 scissor jack.

Hi,

So, how do you plan to use the Bottle Jack and a Jack Stand? Will be interesting to know.

I plan on changing out the Brake Pads on my friends X3, this weekend. If you'd be interested, I could take a few pictures of how I use the Floor Jack and the Jack Stands. Safety is of paramount concern to me, always.

Regards.

Bottle jack that lifts 20" ?! what kind of foot print does THAT have for stability? strikes me the same as a scissor... def use a jackstand somewhere before you take the wheel off.

all done, no blood was drawn
thx everyone :)