2post lift recommendations

[George Hill]

4 posts are for storage and 2 posts are for working on cars.

Yes they both can do either, but they do 1 better than the other.

Tightening suspension is so much easier on a 4 post, but pulling an engine is so much easier on a 2 post. With that said everything other than suspension tightening is harder on a 4 post.

If all you do is lift one or two cars you'll get pretty quick racking the car on a 2 post. I can have an E46 off the ground in less than a 30 seconds on my 2 post.

4 posts are more bulky in overall size.

You can stack cars on a 2 post but it gets a little tight depending on height on the lower car. Once you know your cars will fit then its not an issue.

If I had more room I'd have a 4 post, I really want one of those double wide 4 posts, but it just won't fit in my setup.

[bigjae46]

Tightening suspension is so much easier on a 4 post

Depends. If the fastener is over the ramp and a long handle ratchet hits the ramp...then you're kind of back at square one. I'd rather get 4 wheel stands to do suspension work and alignments.

I hate using 4 post lifts after smoking my head on the ramp a couple of times over the years. Call it 4 post PTSD 🤣

[George Hill]

Depends.

Sure, there are outliers for every situation but I’d still rather fight a 4 post ramp vs figuring out a way to load the car and be 12-18” off the ground.

And to be fair the only loaded part on an M3 would be the rear shocks and inner control arm bushings so a 4 post ramp shouldn’t give issue their.

pros and cons to everything. For me the 2 post is waaaaay more usable… but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish I had a 4 post too haha

[oceansize]

And is that a Saturn on the lift?

I saw the same thing lol.

[oceansize]

I really want lifts, but when my house was being built I was out of the car game due to kids/life and as a result didn't put much effort into the garage. So my ceiling is not near high enough. I wish I could go back and kick myself. However, quick jacks and 12" tall wheel cribs have solved most of my issues.

[eacmen]

And is that a Saturn on the lift?

Keen eye good sirs. Its a lemons car we're building!

[bigjae46]

Keen eye good sirs. Its a lemons car we're building!

It's been a couple of years since I last saw one.

[cobra]

I really want lifts, but when my house was being built I was out of the car game due to kids/life and as a result didn't put much effort into the garage. So my ceiling is not near high enough. I wish I could go back and kick myself. However, quick jacks and 12" tall wheel cribs have solved most of my issues.

You could always go downwards and dig a pit

[oceansize]

You could always go downwards and dig a pit

I've had that thought lol. I think what is likely in the somewhat near future is a nicely done detached garage at the bottom of my driveway since I have the space. Drains, lifts, epoxy floor, and storage, the full suite of dumb car guy stuff.

[eacmen]

I really want lifts, but when my house was being built I was out of the car game due to kids/life and as a result didn't put much effort into the garage. So my ceiling is not near high enough. I wish I could go back and kick myself. However, quick jacks and 12" tall wheel cribs have solved most of my issues.

I had quick jacks but health issues make it increasingly difficult working on the floor.

For low height ceilings I would seriously consider a scissor lift.

[eacmen]

I've had that thought lol. I think what is likely in the somewhat near future is a nicely done detached garage at the bottom of my driveway since I have the space. Drains, lifts, epoxy floor, and storage, the full suite of dumb car guy stuff.

Having just built a new garage myself can 100% recommend it. Just budget double whatever you think its going to cost.

[oceansize]

Having just built a new garage myself can 100% recommend it. Just budget double whatever you think its going to cost.

I've been running numbers and talking to contractors, it will definitely cost a small fortune to do it right.

[SQ13]

I’m out here struggling to find a cheap Chinese 4 post lift for storage purposes lol. So far the best price I’ve found is $3,600 delivered and installed (would’ve been $1k less before trump came to office 😔) + whatever it costs to do a high lift garage door conversion.

Turns out most Chinese lifts are made in the same factory. I even found the supplier for BendPak on Alibaba lol. The few lifts that are actually American made are too pricey unless you buy used.