[stlcdr]

I'll need to take the rear wheels off, and saw the jacking point locations. Seems pretty straight forward, however, where does the car weight rest?

Searching other forums, youtube and Amazon for pads/pucks seems to add some confusion (with the range of BMWs): is the support supposed to be the rectangular slot, or the outside of the plastic piece? the jacking pucks are not deep enough - <1/2" where the slot is >1/2". Seems the pad just locates in the rectangular slot and not lifted by it.

So, does the car supposed rest on the rectangular portion (which I presume it should, based on the jack positioning in the manual)? Yet these 'pucks' are too shallow.

I'm tempted to just get a rectangular piece of oak cut to 1/2 to 3/4 high attached to a hockey puck on the floor jack.

Edit: I have seen some images where it appears the rectangular portion is simply the locating point and the plastic jack point rests on the outside of the pad. Is this correct?

Follow up question - where do you put axle stands, if you jack by this location? What are the other jacking points on the Z4, so that axle stands can be used on the jack locations?

[BMWGirlFL]

Owner's Manual & Digital Driver's Guide have illustrated instructions for jacking up the vehicle.

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Owner's Manual & Digital Driver's Guide have illustrated instructions for jacking up the vehicle.

But it only talks about a scissor jack and the lever jack. The scissor jack appears to be lifting inside the recess, but the lever jack is not clear. How would a floor jack lift? It also doesn't mention jack stands (which of course would not necessarily be in the owners manual).

[BMWGirlFL]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Owner's Manual & Digital Driver's Guide have illustrated instructions for jacking up the vehicle.

That was all I thought I knew. Sorry!!

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

But it only talks about a scissor jack and the lever jack. The scissor jack appears to be lifting inside the recess, but the lever jack is not clear. How would a floor jack lift? It also doesn't mention jack stands (which of course would not necessarily be in the owners manual).

The rectangle is only for the purpose of helping to center the puck. The outer part of the jacking point is designed to bear the weight. You can safely use a hydraulic floor jack with or without the puck. If without the puck, I recommend using a jack that has a rubber pad (rather than direct metal contact). I'm not aware of any other safe jacking points but my experience on this with the Z4 is nil.

On other vehicles, I've jacked up the vehicle until both tires (front and back) have cleared the ground, set a jack stand under the opposite end, then lowered the jack until the jacked tire is just cleared of the ground. However, I don't know how you can lift both rear wheels without the use of two jacks.

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

The rectangle is only for the purpose of helping to center the puck. The outer part of the jacking point is designed to bear the weight. You can safely use a hydraulic floor jack with or without the puck. If without the puck, I recommend using a jack that has a rubber pad (rather than direct metal contact). I'm not aware of any other safe jacking points but my experience on this with the Z4 is nil.

On other vehicles, I've jacked up the vehicle until both tires (front and back) have cleared the ground, set a jack stand under the opposite end, then lowered the jack until the jacked tire is just cleared of the ground. However, I don't know how you can lift both rear wheels without the use of two jacks.

Thanks for that. I typically use hockey pucks on my jacks. Currently there’s nothing I need to do that would require axle stands. I may end up getting the hydraulic QuickJack which should fit this car and the SUV, before that time comes.

I’ve seen comments about lifting the rear by the differential, but that seems sketchy without some official BMW documentation for this particular car.

[ebirotedu]

Not for G29 but some potentially helpful info on using the rear diff as a jacking point in this E89 guidance:

Originally Posted by stlcdr

Thanks for that. I typically use hockey pucks on my jacks. Currently there’s nothing I need to do that would require axle stands. I may end up getting the hydraulic QuickJack which should fit this car and the SUV, before that time comes.

I’ve seen comments about lifting the rear by the differential, but that seems sketchy without some official BMW documentation for this particular car.

[Amadeo]

G29 jacking points.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Amadeo

G29 jacking points.

I'm surprised by that front jacking point. It doesn't look like it could bear the weight without damaging the cover.

[Amadeo]

Yes, its something to be worried about. I didn't try front jacking yet.It might be flat solid metal behind that round spot in the cover.

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

I'm surprised by that front jacking point. It doesn't look like it could bear the weight without damaging the cover.

According to RealOEM, that cover is a "structural support panel" and that bolt in the center is connecting it to the front axle crossmember. So it should be solid enough.

Gerry

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by Amadeo

G29 jacking points.

Mind you, that’s quite a way under the front…not sure even a low profile jack would fit. But good to know (My old car, Fiat spider, had to be driven up on small 3” ramps to get a jack under the front).

[gkgeiger]

When a car can only be jacked in 4 places, using a jack stand is almost impossible unless you use something like this. I bought a set of these when I had my 911. Jacking anywhere other than factory locations could cost you a lot. There are several videos on these, I just copied the first one.

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by gkgeiger

When a car can only be jacked in 4 places, using a jack stand is almost impossible unless you use something like this. I bought a set of these when I had my 911. Jacking anywhere other than factory locations could cost you a lot. There are several videos on these, I just copied the first one.

They are a great idea, but Rennstand is no longer available through Safe Jack. You have to buy direct from https://rennstand.com/

The downside is they're $225 each. Definitely not cheap.

Gerry

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

Mind you, that’s quite a way under the front…not sure even a low profile jack would fit. But good to know (My old car, Fiat spider, had to be driven up on small 3” ramps to get a jack under the front).

"on small 3” ramps". In other words a couple pieces of 2"x10" lumber stacked together.

Gerry

[gkgeiger]

Originally Posted by GerryC

They are a great idea, but Rennstand is no longer available through Safe Jack. You have to buy direct from https://rennstand.com/

The downside is they're $225 each. Definitely not cheap.

Gerry

Take it to the dealer. Even before they weren’t cheap. If I’m not mistaken there is a video on making them yourself, now there’s an idea.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Amadeo

G29 jacking points.

I've tentatively decide to have my factory wheels powder coating so I've been seriously evaluating the jacking points because I''ll need to remove all four wheels and leave the car on jack stands while they have the wheels.

Looking at my 30i from the rear, it's looks virtually impossible to get a floor jack to the differential because of the rear cross-frame braces.





However, I believe I may be able to get to the differential from the side, hopefully without blocking a rear jack stand point.

The front of the car is so low it appears impossible to successfully position a floor jack under the front point without raising the car. Therefore, my plan is to first put the rear on jack stands and hope that gives me enough clearance in the front to then position the floor jack for lifting the front. I'll try to remember to take photos if successful.

[COKen]

I have not tried it on my Z4, but on my 2002 M Roadster if you jack it up using the rear jack point, you can also lift the front wheels off of the ground which would allow you to put something under the front wheel to get more room for your jack.

[ebirotedu]

Did something similar with my G29 when I ceramic coated the wheels, except I used the front jacking point to lift both the front & rear wheels off the ground one side at a time.

Was able to put jack stands under the rear jacking point on each side, because I wasn't using it to lift the car. And the front jack stands were then located under the control arm mount barrels as that seemed like a safe location.

Originally Posted by COKen

I have not tried it on my Z4, but on my 2002 M Roadster if you jack it up using the rear jack point, you can also lift the front wheels off of the ground which would allow you to put something under the front wheel to get more room for your jack.

[CJ421]

StanDiego I was thinking about Rhino ramps and driving up them to get to the front jack point, but then it might be tough to get to the rear jacking point ...I guess I'd look into a very low profile jack that might cost a bit but would be worth it.

I don't like using the side jacking points to jack up the car because it puts stress on the frame (which is probably not a big deal with our cars).

Charles

[COKen]

Originally Posted by CJ421

StanDiego I was thinking about Rhino ramps and driving up them to get to the front jack point, but then it might be tough to get to the rear jacking point ...I guess I'd look into a very low profile jack that might cost a bit but would be worth it.

I don't like using the side jacking points to jack up the car because it puts stress on the frame (which is probably not a big deal with our cars).

Charles

That is what they were designed for. I have always used the jack points on all of my cars and have never had a single issue.