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Thread: E38 other Car Jacking points (Floor jack, QuickJacks)

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    1998 750iL, Saab 9-5

    E38 other Car Jacking points (Floor jack, QuickJacks)

    Are there any other ways to lift an e38 than by the factory jack points and lift points? Was thinking of using my Quickjacks today to make it so much easier but I am clearly lacking 15cm! Between the two liftpoints underneath the metal and composite seems identical and maybe it is possible to remove the plastic tray that covers the area and jack from there too. I have made a picture trying to show you below:
    https://imgur.com/a/xkmegdH

    The RED crosses mark the furthest I can stretch my quickjacks. As you can see just a hair short.
    The BLUE lines mark show where we usually put our jacks/stands
    The GREEN line marks the space between these points where the plastic tray covers the metal underside

    if anyone have any input, other places to put jacks/something like Quickjacks, or pictures of the underside of the sill without the plastic covering, please feel free to share
    If not I'll be going back tomorrow to remove them and see, and also test.

    - - - Updated - - -

    PS: I found a nice thread with many helpful pictures to pinpoint locations on the underbody
    http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/333024

  2. #2
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    Unfortunately, you don't want to jack on the sides anywhere other than the factory jacking point, they are reinforced, and the rest isn't. If you jack on the plastic, you will damage it, and it's a pain to replace (although I finally found something that works - windshield mounting adhesive.)

    If you're jacking the front you can jack in the center of the motor cradle, and in the back under the differential. I usually do this so I can put jack stands under the factory points on the side.

  3. #3
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    What if I remove the plastic? But you probably are right that they are not reinforced. Ok so its good to jack on the differential.

    Some guy in a similar thread mentioned that you could jack on the inner frame rails closer to the drive line part of things. Any thoughts

  4. #4
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    I use this trick on my E24's (635CSi's), have also used it on my 850. I used a 4'x4' long enough to straddle the distance between the jack points, then use a hydraulic floor jack in the center and lift the whole side of the car. Once it's up a ways, I can put jack stands under either end of the 4'x4's leaving it in place, where the jacking points are, then drop the floor jack. I do the same on the other side and I can get the car up the height of the jack stands in 2 operations. You may be able to run a 4'x4' long enough to straddle the E38 jack points (make sure there's nothing in between that the 4'x4' can squash), and just put it on top of your Quickjack. If a 4'x4' won't fit between the Quickjack and the jack points, you can opt for a 2'x4'.

    Just a thought.
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    see my signature
    Buy the 7000EXT model. It fits everything I've ever put on it. From my E38 7 series, E31 8 series, E9x, E53 X5, E36 M3, E39 5 series, it even fits my Z3 M Coupe.

    Last edited by Chamberlin; 01-08-2019 at 09:17 PM.
    2006 R53 JCW (British Racing Green) - 1994 E31 840Ci 6spd (AVUS Blue)
    2021 F56 JCW (Rebel Green) - 2000 E38 740i Sport (Titanium Silver)
    2017 F26 X4 M40i (Carbon Black) - 2007 E91 328iT (Deep Green)
    2012 E82 135i M Sport (Marrakesh Brown) - 2015 E84 X1 (Cashmere Silver)
    2005 E53 X5 3.0i Sport (Kalahari Beige) - 2000 E36/7 M Roadster (Oxford Green)
    2000 E38 740i Sport (Oxford Green) - 1999 E36 M3 Coupe (Fern Green)
    1995 E31 840Ci Canadian (Oxford Green) - 2000 E36/8 M Coupe (Oxford Green)
    2004 E46 330Ci (Oxford Green) - 2001 E36/8 Z3 3.0i Coupe (Oxford Green)
    2002 E39 525i Sport (Oxford Green) - 2002 E36/7 M Roadster (Oxford Green)
    2001 E53 X5 3.0i Sport (Oxford Green) - 2007 E63 M6 (Silver Grey)
    1995 E31 840Ci (Oxford Green) - 2006 E86 M Coupe (Sepang Bronze)
    2001 E39 530i Sport (Aspen Silver) - 2009 E92 M3 (Space Grey)
    2001 E38 740i Sport (Sahara Beige) - 2008 E92 M3 (Melbourne Red)
    2000 E38 740i Sport Canadian (Sahara Beige) - 1997 E31 850Ci (Jet Black)

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    As usual, Qsilver7 had the definitive answer on e38 jack points.

    http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...Jacking-an-E38

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by KenR740 View Post
    As usual, Qsilver7 had the definitive answer on e38 jack points.

    http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...Jacking-an-E38
    In addition to the jack points listed in that thread, there's a spot on the engine subframe that looks an awful lot like it's meant for a jack (and nothing seems to flex when jacking the car from it).

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chamberlin View Post
    Buy the 7000EXT model.
    I would have, but it was a gift from my parents and since they are expensive as is, didn't need anything other than the 5000lb version. Should've mentioned the extra long version but most cars come with frame rails close to the skirt so it isn't a problem.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by masbury View Post
    I use this trick on my E24's (635CSi's), have also used it on my 850. I used a 4'x4' long enough to straddle the distance between the jack points, then use a hydraulic floor jack in the center and lift the whole side of the car.

    Just a thought.
    Was thinking the same thing. Think this is the next logical step and I'm off to the utility store after work now I guess!

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by rslifkin View Post
    In addition to the jack points listed in that thread, there's a spot on the engine subframe that looks an awful lot like it's meant for a jack (and nothing seems to flex when jacking the car from it).
    This is what I use for the front very often and under the differential for the rear and then jack stands and I also bring some stacked 6x6 timber blocks with me if i'm going under the car.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by thenilser View Post
    What if I remove the plastic? But you probably are right that they are not reinforced. Ok so its good to jack on the differential.

    Some guy in a similar thread mentioned that you could jack on the inner frame rails closer to the drive line part of things. Any thoughts
    You do not want to remove the plastic unless you have to, it's a real PITA to get back on right, you're likely to break the tabs that hold the mounting clips on, and then you have a problem.

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    1998 750iL, Saab 9-5
    Here are a few pics of the setup. 2x4s work perfectly, and the only other thing I did was cut the smallest rubber blocks included with the jacks in two, with one being 4cm tall and keeping the leftover bits as padding for the beam.

    https://imgur.com/a/7awBA4K

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    Too Many Cars (NOT!)
    I wonder if this makes you "carbon neutral" by using wood?
    Mike Drives:
    BMW's
    E24 - 635CSiA - (1) 1985 (US)
    E24 - 635CSi - (1) 1985 (EC)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Black)
    E31 - 850iA - (1) 1991 (Calypso Red)

    E32 - 740iA - (1) 1994
    E32 - 750iA - (1) 1990 (Not an "L") (EC German National)
    E32 - 735iL - (2) 1990
    E32 - 750iL - (1) 1990

    E38 - 740iLA - (2) (1) 1997 & (1) 1998
    E38 - 750iLA - (1) 1998
    E38 - 740iA - (1) 2000 "Short Sport"
    E39 - 528iA - (2) - 2000 & (1) 1997
    Also:
    2015 Ram 3500 Dually, Cumins 6.7, Std.Cab. Long box 4x4 (To haul all this junk when necessary)
    2014 Dodge Dart Rallye (Daily Driver)
    2007 Mercedes Benz CL600 (Brabus SV12S)
    Mercedes Benz SL's - (1) (2002) & (1) 1999 500 - (1) 1999 600
    1967 Buick Riviera (2)

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    1998 750iL, Saab 9-5
    Quote Originally Posted by masbury View Post
    I wonder if this makes you "carbon neutral" by using wood?
    All the hot rubber smoke that was created when we sawed those rubbers pads probably neglected that pretty much!

  14. #14
    Join Date
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    e38, e39, e53, e90
    @Chamberlin,
    Does this fit an e38 740iL and e39? I have both, and the measurements for the distance between tires seemed just short for the e39 to fit on 7000EXT.
    Quote Originally Posted by Chamberlin View Post
    Buy the 7000EXT model. It fits everything I've ever put on it. From my E38 7 series, E31 8 series, E9x, E53 X5, E36 M3, E39 5 series, it even fits my Z3 M Coupe.

    Last edited by blademan007; 10-03-2023 at 01:57 PM.

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