Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Basic needs related to restoring a 6er including
Electronics, Bodywork, Welding, Painting, Engine Swap, etc
Post Reply
MSGGrunt
Posts: 520
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 4:43 pm
Location: Western, MA USA

Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by MSGGrunt »

Anybody have any experience with this type of lift for a small at home garage. Seems much easier than a floor jack and jack stands to get a car up in the air for things like break jobs, suspension work, oil changes, etc... Yes, you can't stand upright under it but, in my opinion its better than on your back on a concrete floor.

Opinions?
Attachments
Car Scissor Lift.jpg
Car Scissor Lift.jpg (90.56 KiB) Viewed 13561 times
User avatar
sansouci
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1850
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:52 pm
Location: Southampton NY

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by sansouci »

Looks like it would be interesting if I could just drive over it when flat and sitting under my car in the garage.

I've heard that Bend pak makes good stuff, so here's an advt:
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/bendpak ... n=BINGSHOP


Minimum pad height of 4-3/4" might be a problem...

Only about $2k

More bend-pak options:
http://www.asedeals.com/car-lifts/scissor-lifts/
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
User avatar
JCS
Posts: 999
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:06 pm
Location: Santa Ana, California, USA

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions VS side lifts

Post by JCS »

Guys,

The scissor lift means you cannot drop the transmission, driveline, muffler, and the rear end.

Try this pair of side lifts, with the center open.
LINK
http://www.carguygarage.com/lbsquickjack.html
Jay
'88 M6, Red/Tan
My NEW Website https://www.jaysbmwparts.com/
GazM3
Posts: 1791
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by GazM3 »

The above lifter looks good.
Especially for home mechanic or trackday.
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
User avatar
sansouci
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1850
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:52 pm
Location: Southampton NY

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by sansouci »

If you click through the website you will see some of their customers' cars and garages. Truly awesome. But I am reminded of the great work our BC members do literally in the driveway or backyard.
Ken
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
User avatar
hornhospital
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2929
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:46 pm
Location: Silverhill, AL
Contact:

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by hornhospital »

Just about anything beats this misery.....
Attachments
Shifter repair.jpg
Shifter repair.jpg (296.65 KiB) Viewed 13514 times
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
Pod
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:32 pm
Location: usually in the barn, Kent, England.

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by Pod »

These kinds of jack don't look particularly safe to me and I don't think I'd like to work under a car perched on one? There doesn't appear to be a sufficient "load spread" at the four corners and I would be concerned that over-energetic application of a breaker bar or suchlike could cause the "load" to sway - especially at maximum lift. Am I in a minority of one :-k
cecotto479

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by cecotto479 »

We had one.

Handy for "wheel off" servicing and not bad for raising the car to get sills rear quarters etc. to hand height for bodywork, but in the end, they are literally a wate of space.

You can't get to gearbox, driveline or anything down the centre line of the car.

Useful in that they're mobile and can be stood upright saving space, but too compromised to be of any real long term use.
User avatar
dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by dwcains »

A friend had one, and came to the same conclusion. He basically used it for swapping wheels and waxing the lower panels of the car.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
User avatar
sansouci
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1850
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:52 pm
Location: Southampton NY

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by sansouci »

hornhospital wrote:Just about anything beats this misery.....
Ken,
Get a creeper with a foam padded back. Or for the really thrifty, a few flattened refrigerator boxes.
As GE used to say " We house more homeless than the US gov't."
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
MSGGrunt
Posts: 520
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 4:43 pm
Location: Western, MA USA

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by MSGGrunt »

I never even thought of the limitations of not being able to get at anything such as the transmission, driveshaft, exhaust, etc. Had I some foresight when I was having the foundation poured in my garage I would have had them build it with a pit. A two post lift would be nice but it would take up too much room in my garage. I guess I'll get by with ramps and sturdy jack stands.
User avatar
hornhospital
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2929
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:46 pm
Location: Silverhill, AL
Contact:

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by hornhospital »

sansouci wrote:
hornhospital wrote:Just about anything beats this misery.....
Ken,
Get a creeper with a foam padded back. Or for the really thrifty, a few flattened refrigerator boxes.
That picture was laying on a strip of carpet on top of a double-ply cardboard. It is still miserable after 30 minutes, and I have inner ear problems (man, I love getting old!) so I get dizzy, too. No room for a creeper under there. My gut hangs up on the underframe. (That's not me under the car....it's my friend Mike Paquette, who has since moved to Oregon with his position in the Coast Guard)
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
User avatar
dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by dwcains »

One night I fell asleep under one of my Alfa's on the bare concrete garage floor while I was installing new brake lines. My wife came out in the morning to go to work and she thought I was dead.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
User avatar
hornhospital
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2929
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:46 pm
Location: Silverhill, AL
Contact:

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by hornhospital »

:lol:
I bet she didn't think it was funny, but it cracked me up just picturing it in my mind.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
Pod
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:32 pm
Location: usually in the barn, Kent, England.

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by Pod »

dwcains wrote:One night I fell asleep under one of my Alfa's on the bare concrete garage floor while I was installing new brake lines. My wife came out in the morning to go to work and she thought I was dead.
I know its not funny, but I cracked up :lol:
User avatar
sansouci
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1850
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:52 pm
Location: Southampton NY

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by sansouci »

hornhospital wrote:
sansouci wrote:
hornhospital wrote:Just about anything beats this misery.....
Ken,
Get a creeper with a foam padded back. Or for the really thrifty, a few flattened refrigerator boxes.
That picture was laying on a strip of carpet on top of a double-ply cardboard. It is still miserable after 30 minutes, and I have inner ear problems (man, I love getting old!) so I get dizzy, too. No room for a creeper under there. My gut hangs up on the underframe. (That's not me under the car....it's my friend Mike Paquette, who has since moved to Oregon with his position in the Coast Guard)
Now I see that gnarly carpet. Almost as dirty as the pavement.

HF has creeper on sale for $19.99 with coupon

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-300- ... NCJ9%0D%0A
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
User avatar
dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by dwcains »

She didn't think it was funny. I like working in the garage at night, though. I'm an RN and work 7pm - 7am, so staying up all night isn't unusual, and it's cool and quiet at night.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
User avatar
PhoenixOp
Posts: 152
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:19 pm
Location: Kuna, Idaho, USA

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by PhoenixOp »

Here's a question...

If a tiny scissor lift is $2000.00, why not buy a 2 post lift for the same or less money, then you don't have to be on your back at all :?:

Check this out. http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP8000 =D>

Just sayin'
Mike Drives: :D
BMW's...
1980 633CSiA
1985 635CSi (EC)
1985 635CSiA
Plus:
1 - E31
2 - E32
1 - E34
3 - E38
3 - E39

Also:
67 Buick Rivera
99 Mercedes Benz SL600
02 Mercedes Benz SL500
07 Mercedes Benz CL600
14 Dodge Dart Rallye XT
15 Ram 3500
MSGGrunt
Posts: 520
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 4:43 pm
Location: Western, MA USA

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by MSGGrunt »

I found a slightly used one locally for $600.00 and thought it would be a decent deal. And a 2 post lift would take up precious space in my already packed 2-car garage. I wouldn't be able to wheel around my M6 and MB 300sd when they get stored for the winter. The scissor lift is low enough that the cars can just straddle it. M6 is at stock on stock working suspension.
GripGreg
Posts: 2938
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:13 am
Location: Long Beach, Ca.

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by GripGreg »

#1: The two post lift just looks precariously dangerous to me balance wise! Never used one though.
#2: I bought a creeper with a steel frame from HF with a padded head rest that lifts up to become a seat using a pin to keep it in place.
I can do the brakes & stuff at that level while sitting on the cushion. I think it cost me less than $25?
I'm guessing they still have that style? Or did I get lucky with a close-out? :D
Hit the apex
in Long Beach, Cal
Buster/'82Euro6 Build Date 9/81
Rosallina/'80 528i Build Date 4/80
User avatar
hornhospital
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2929
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:46 pm
Location: Silverhill, AL
Contact:

Re: Car Scissor Lift Opinions

Post by hornhospital »

Greg, the two-post lifts are perfectly safe as long as the lift pads are located to contact the underframe anywhere near where they should be. If they weren't you wouldn't see every auto dealership's service bays full of them.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
Post Reply