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320d E46 - Car Ramps and Jack Stands

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7.7K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  bmw120  
#1 ·
What do you think would be the best way to get underneath the car just to drain the oil? on both a 1 series and 320d ??

I can buy some car ramps but people say that the car is too low for you to drive up the ramp. Another option is jack stands but unsure where to put these on a 1 series.. They say you have jacking points behind the wheels but im not sure where.

Any one have experience doing oil changes using a ramp? is there enough space to get underneath the car?
 
#2 ·
No No No for the axel stands...way too risky...and I expect most ramps are too sharp an incline for you to be able to drive on them without catching the bumper...unless you make your own.

I have a 8in step outside my house. I use two railway sleepers on top of one another for each wheel and drive out onto them, hey presto the car is more than high enough and safe as houses as it has nothing to slip from or crumble under..only thing you need to make sure is the the car is level so the oil drains properly...
 
#3 ·
Thanks - I was thinking about just buying a set of ramps, driving up them and simply draining the oil. But surely the ramp would give you more room than your step? It's a simple procedure just need some space!
 
#5 ·
Have you considered a suction pump i toyed with the idea for years and recently bought a US made pela pump fantastic bit of kit and works like a dream on my 330 and the missus mini, i was a bit concerned it might not remove all the oil but it certainly does cost arond 45 quid but its a very well made item, no more oil spills or groveling under the car

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2v8yAjx5iw&feature=plcp
 
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#6 ·
hmm.. I was told its good if the car points slightly upwards as the hole is in the back of the pan so when it shoots out it shoots towards the direction of the boot..? I was also thinking about jacking one wheel up enough for me to get a breeze block underneath both front tyres? How does that sound?
 
#7 ·
sound very dodgy, not worth killing yourself for the sake of a oil change TBH ,If you really want to get under the car axle stands will be fine just make sure their good quality and correctly located
 
#8 ·
Mine is a 2003 320d SE E46 and ramps are a waste of time because the front skirt pushes the ramp before you can get up it ! Also, unfortunately, I am sure that most of us don't have an 8 " step outside our home...... I have done loads of work under mine and for the front I use a trolley jack and 2 axle stands. Once up, leave the trolley jack underneath too for added safety.
 
#9 ·
I have a 320d and I use ramps, as long as your isn't lowered you should be fine. Hardest part is getting onto the ramps, I ram the ramps as far as I can under the tyres and drive up slow but without stopping until I'm on enough , make sure you put in first,handbrake on and back wheels have something stopping the car rolling off ramps. Then your be fine.