[ryan stewart]

So I have had this trusty alum craftstman for like 20 years. But its starting to not make it all of the way up, having some issues, etc. Im sure its serviceable but honestly its time to go because Im having a height issue too, I switched to these jack stands:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

And the Craftsman comes up just shy using the center lifting points when Im using these stands with the jack pads and it doesn't go very far in since its not a long-reach style, so I spend most of my time making little baby pumps to get enough room to even move the jack handle.

So now is a good enough time for an upgrade. I really just need a low-profile long-reach that isnt a POS, I dont need some massive capacity. Its only lifting a 3 series wagon.

Like this, but if there is better quality (in the US) for not an insane amount I would go that way:
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...lue-56641.html

Like this one worth the jump?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben.../029121sch01a/

I know its lower capacity but its capacity is still more than the entire car.

[peterfromsd]

Harbor freight low profile, long reach for me.

[greyspoke]

Harbor freight low profile, long reach for me as well. No problem handling my M3 and Outback.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by ryan stewart

So now is a good enough time for an upgrade. I really just need a low-profile long-reach that isnt a POS,

If you want an upgrade, check out AC Hydraulic, made in Denmark, backed by 10 year warranty, sold by various shops (such as Turner/ECS, Obsessed Garage, etc).

https://www.achydraulic.com/products/hydraulic-jacks/

I was talked into an AC Hydraulic jack 28 years ago, more than I wanted to spend, but it's still going strong, essentially a life time jack for me.

[///MPhatic]

I use this one, and I'm quite happy with it, but I got it for $199, so that helped my decision.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Donatello.]

Harbor Freight

[Tambohamilton]

http://www.omegalift.com/ProductDeta...ack/29023B/763
One of these, if you can find it. Reaches all the way to the center point without any messing about... apparently. I don't have one, but I would dearly like one!

I think they were also sold under another brand name too, but I can't remember it now.

Edit:
ATD-7325 (discontinued)
https://atdtools.com/7325

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by greyspoke

Harbor freight low profile, long reach for me as well. No problem handling my M3 and Outback.

Same here. Works on everything from Corvettes to my x5 to our expedition. You literally cannot beat them in quality for the money or even close to the same money.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Another vote for the Harbor Freight one, best bang-for-your-buck. I do need low ramps to get it under my stock suspension M-Sport E93 335i (not sure if that's the M-Sport's fault, but I suspect the lower suspension and added aero bits are the problem).

[mks]

Yup, Harbor Freight,

[M-technik-3]

I have an OTC Aluminium one that I love. Works great and light use it for lemons team. Then I have a daytona in my garage for everyday use.

[pbonsalb]

I bought an Arcan long reach on Amazon a couple of years ago on sale for about $200. It is now over $300 but is pretty long reach and low profile. https://a.co/d/1lm07ci

Before that, I would use one of the little HF aluminum 1.5 ton jacks that used to cost $59 on sale and are low profile to reach a rocker panel jack point and then lift enough so my big 3 ton steel jack (that was $99 on sale long ago at Sam’s Club) could reach a central jack point under the car.

Some use low profile car ramps like some Race Ramps to lift the car a few inches and then use a regular profile jack.

[Tambohamilton]

All these recommendations for jacks that don't reach the center point without ramps etc... doesn't it annoy you needing to mess about with ramps or another jack? My normal jack is shit, and I need 2" ramps just to get it to a side jacking point, but I refuse to spend money on another jack that won't even reach the center point without messing about!

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

All these recommendations for jacks that don't reach the center point without ramps etc... doesn't it annoy you needing to mess about with ramps or another jack? My normal jack is shit, and I need 2" ramps just to get it to a side jacking point, but I refuse to spend money on another jack that won't even reach the center point without messing about!

It's one of the reasons I got the Arcan.

EDIT: For my F87 M2

[W///]

Harbor Freight. Have had mine for probably 10 years now, never had a problem.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

All these recommendations for jacks that don't reach the center point without ramps etc... doesn't it annoy you needing to mess about with ramps or another jack? My normal jack is shit, and I need 2" ramps just to get it to a side jacking point, but I refuse to spend money on another jack that won't even reach the center point without messing about!

I don't jack from the center so it's a non issue for me.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

It's one of the reasons I got the Arcan.

That'll reach the front center point without raising the car before? So is it long enough that the taller section near the handle doesn't have to go under the car?

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I don't jack from the center so it's a non issue for me.

How do you put the car on jack stands?

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

How do you put the car on jack stands?

... From the side? Like a normal person? Lift one side, put stands under, then move to the other side...

[IanH]

It sounds nice to jack the car from the center... but I have never done that in my life haha.

[celsdogg]

^^^ I wouldn't call that normal.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

... From the side? Like a normal person? Lift one side, put stands under, then move to the other side...

But you can't jack from a side jacking point and place a stand there at the same time, so how do you do it?