Garage lift recommendations

[Code7rpd]

Good to know. It looks like most of you guys have to remove the ramps for the car on the lift for the bottom car to get in. In would imagine the ramps hang a bit lower than the lift.

[TexaZ3]

I have been pretty happy with my 4 post... planning to get a center hydraulic bridge for it this year, for wheels off service

Dang, what is the color on E92?

[TexaZ3]

How much garage height is needed to stack cars like that?

10-11 is an absolute must, more if your cars are taller. I have 14 in the tallest part, and 10 at the lowest, but my door is far enough that its not in the way, otherwise you'd have to raise it:

[big greasy taco]

I have been pretty happy with my 4 post... planning to get a center hydraulic bridge for it this year, for wheels off service

[cali chase]

I have 11.5” which works for my lift and cars (I did raise my garage door though) I Can raise the m coupe or m3 max height and walk under just barely, but anything much taller then the m3 won’t work max height.

I have bridge jacks, a 4 post, plus quick jacks. Some times easier to use bridge over the pinch rail quick jacks depending on what you are doing. Also work nicely for supporting things (like dropping subframes).

only reason I went with a 4 post is my garage is pretty small and mobility is key for me. My 4 post actually is mobile when not loaded, and only when fully lowered. It’s definitely less rigid then others lifts I have been around as it’s not mounted to the floor, but I feel safe around it.

[Code7rpd]

How much garage height is needed to stack cars like that?

[R717]

Not sure if OP already pulled the trigger, but I'll throw a plug in for a mohawk 2 post. I found a used mohawk system 1 on c-list several years ago, got it for about the cost of a new chinese mfg lift. It's amongst the best money I've spent. The mohawk is wide enough where don't need to worry about dinging doors getting in and out and the arms are low (I think about 3in). I have no prob getting them under my racecar which is much lower than my stock M3. Another benefit I didn't foresee - lifting the cars 1-2ft off the ground absolutely saves your back when doing under-hood work. Good luck with your decision.

[George Hill]

4 post if you want easy no hassle storage and do basic maintenance

2 post if you do a lot of work on the car (can also easily store a car underneath, although with BMWs leaks being common drip trays are nice with 4 posts, lol). 2x12 ramps can be made for $30 or less and that solves the jacking up car to get the lift arms under it issue.

[BTB]

Figured I'd show off my dad's new setup ... he just got a two-post Bendpak GP-7LC. Now that I see Ian's setup, I think I would opt for a four-post w/ quick jacks if I get a house/small garage of my own, but I think the two-post works well for what we/my dad uses it for here. Basically just oil changes, regular maintenance but also being able to do brakes/swap wheels without breaking out the quick jacks, throwing the arms under the car is easier. When not in use you just don't pull the car in so much and you hardly notice the lift being there, though the 4er seems easy too.

[BoomTastic]

Right at 3.5 without rubber condom

[Obioban]

They need maintenance too!

That's why we sold it. Was seeing ~100 miles/year of use, and still needed upkeep.

[jbfrancis3]

I had a suburban for years.

... it lived outside.

They need maintenance too!

[Obioban]

12, for when you buy that SUV/SAV you may have swore you'd never buy....

I had a suburban for years.

... it lived outside.

[jbfrancis3]

Yeah, I meant they were easier because you just drive on. At least with my bendpack, to actually get it on to the 2 post I had to jack the car and lower it onto blocks, so the arms could get under. Getting the car on or off the lift was 10-15 min on each end of the project. With the 4 post I just drive on and lift. If I’m wheels off, it takes ~5 min to get the quick jacks under.

Can certainly see the frustration with that. OP was smart to think about and measure his minimum ground clearance.

Another 4 post advantage - the installation is easier without needing to consider slab thickness, drill and sink expanding anchors, and then shim everything to plumb.

[jbfrancis3]

Ha. Currently designing a garage and choosing the ceiling height. 10 or 12 feet? 🤔

12, for when you buy that SUV/SAV you may have swore you'd never buy....