How do people gain access to underside of car

[Mike6]

I am in my 70s but still fit enough to do all my own servicing and repairs but struggle to get car high enough to replace things like post cat oxygen sensors or even the oil drain plug. I have the usual low level jacks and supports including the drive up ramp which I am not sure will work on the low z4.
I would be interested to know what people use to get car high enough to work underneath.
I have seen contraptions at car shows which seems to cost a fortune but is there anything cost effective which works on our cars
Thanks

 

[vmlopes]

Decent jack on the correct point still works?

 

[pvr]

This works for all my cars and is quick, so even use it when taking the wheels off the wash the inside

Winter work was in the garage

 

[raymond.harper]

About four mechanics die every year from being crushed under the car they are working on, so safety first! I always jack up the car from one side only, place large jack stands, and leave the wheels under the car for extra safety. I know some owners like to jack and secure the whole front or rear, but I am not brave enough to do so. I find I can do most jobs with this system.

 

[Carlosos]

It depends what I’m doing. Some stuff just is too difficult and inconvenient to diy so has to go to a garage with a ramp. Everything else 2 big jacks an old bmw alloy as a fall stopper and jack stands. I do fancy something like a mini lift one day as shown above.

 

[RMB]

7D7965BD-C1D8-490B-AC8E-C675F348DEA9.jpeg

This works for all my cars and is quick, so even use it when taking the wheels off the wash the inside

Winter work was in the garage
5CF836DC-FAAD-4968-897A-BE285149D882.jpeg

I’ve got serious garage envy PVR!

 

[MikeyH]

7D7965BD-C1D8-490B-AC8E-C675F348DEA9.jpeg

This works for all my cars and is quick, so even use it when taking the wheels off the wash the inside

Winter work was in the garage
5CF836DC-FAAD-4968-897A-BE285149D882.jpeg

Nice gates oke: oops

 

[pvr]

:headbang:

 

[Mike6]

Thanks for replies. PVR, what system is it you are using.

 

[pvr]

Quickjack 7000 TL. You have to watch for deals on Costco as it varies massively in price.

 

[enuff_zed]

7D7965BD-C1D8-490B-AC8E-C675F348DEA9.jpeg

This works for all my cars and is quick, so even use it when taking the wheels off the wash the inside

Winter work was in the garage
5CF836DC-FAAD-4968-897A-BE285149D882.jpeg

I’ve got serious garage envy PVR!

You're not kidding! I went down there a few months back to fit front suspension and a starter motor for the Lord of the Manor.
I had to ask him to turn the space heater off as it was too hot in there!
And apparently there are other garages I wasn't cleared for!

 

[RMB]

Nice!

 

[Mike6]

Omg that's an expensive lift. The wife would divorce me if I spent that on what is a jack. My car is probably not worth much more

 

[Pondrew]

And apparently there are other garages I wasn't cleared for!

That's why we call him "seven garages Paul". Not bad going for a Johnny Foreigner, TBH. (Coming over here, buying up all our garage space, marrying our women, paying our taxes. Should be ashamed). :wink:

 

[MikeyH]

And apparently there are other garages I wasn't cleared for!

That's why we call him "seven garages Paul". Not bad going for a Johnny Foreigner, TBH. (Coming over here, buying up all our garage space, marrying our women, paying our taxes. Should be ashamed). :wink:

Doing our tests, knowing more about King and country than we do. Yes we should be ashamed :headbang: oke:

 

[srhutch]

Still got moss on his driveway though oke:

 

[MikeyH]

I wouldn’t mind a bit of moss if It meant I had a driveway as big as that :rofl:

 

[pvr]

Still got moss on his driveway though oke:

How is the swimming pool under the Z Steve? :evil: (AKA inspection pit)

 

[colb]

Pair of drive up ramps are doable but may need some extensions to make a shallower drive up. That will lift the car some 10 to 12 inches. Personally I forked out £1200 a few years back and bought a scissor lift with 4 adjustable arms that lifts my Z4 and Z3 waist high, would go even higher if outside but limited height of garage roof will get it waist high.
.

 

[tomscott]

Im lucky I have an inspection pit in my garage that give me 6+ ft of space