Leaving BMW Jack Pads installed?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Southern NJ
Leaving BMW Jack Pads installed?
Hey Guys,
Performed the first oil change last night, and used the BMW Jack Pads (a friend told me they offer better coverage than some of the C6 ones offered at MAM, Ecklers, etc, and they aren't aluminum, etc).
Anyhow, what I wanted to ask is:
Is it ok to leave them installed on the car long term? Any potential issues/problems with leaving them in place?
PS- here are the parts I'm referring to: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-17...-z4-x3-x5.aspx
Thanks for your opinions/advice in advance.
Performed the first oil change last night, and used the BMW Jack Pads (a friend told me they offer better coverage than some of the C6 ones offered at MAM, Ecklers, etc, and they aren't aluminum, etc).
Anyhow, what I wanted to ask is:
Is it ok to leave them installed on the car long term? Any potential issues/problems with leaving them in place?
PS- here are the parts I'm referring to: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-17...-z4-x3-x5.aspx
Thanks for your opinions/advice in advance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
I'm also down one. I used to leave them in all the time too. I have since removed them and have no problems jacking my car up with or without them. Only your driving habit and area can dictate whether you should leave them in or not.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: Edmond, OK
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
I've had them in since 2007 and I think I still have all of them, but I haven't looked lately! Darn, you guys made me go down to my garage and look, but guess what, they are all still there.
Here's a photo, of the car, they are pretty large and you can see them.
Here's a photo, of the car, they are pretty large and you can see them.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
My BMW pucks have been on just shy of 5 years and no problems. You don't even know they're there and can't see them unless you get on you knees. They just pop off if you need to remove them for towing purposes (hopefully you'll never need to be towed).
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
I'll chime in late. I have the same rectangular BMW's on my car for 5 years now. the car is stock height with only the weight of a centri S/C bringing the nose down a bit. Never had an issue with the installed pucks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,714
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
A minor point-
If the car needs to be towed, and you are not able to supervise the operation, the tow driver will normally hook into the shipping slots like he should if there are no pucks covering the slots. If you are not there and the slots are covered, no telling what that neanderthal will clamp onto. I had that happen to me once after an accident (no pucks, correct hooking).
Also, if you get stuck in mud, sand, snow, etc; it is usually dificult but do-able to hook into the slots. If the pucks are installed, that's gonna make it tougher.
Neither system is perfect, I have been keeping my hockey pucks in the rear cubby and installing when needed. I also keep a set of T-hooks in the cubby that fit my slipping slots.
No perfect solution...
If the car needs to be towed, and you are not able to supervise the operation, the tow driver will normally hook into the shipping slots like he should if there are no pucks covering the slots. If you are not there and the slots are covered, no telling what that neanderthal will clamp onto. I had that happen to me once after an accident (no pucks, correct hooking).
Also, if you get stuck in mud, sand, snow, etc; it is usually dificult but do-able to hook into the slots. If the pucks are installed, that's gonna make it tougher.
Neither system is perfect, I have been keeping my hockey pucks in the rear cubby and installing when needed. I also keep a set of T-hooks in the cubby that fit my slipping slots.
No perfect solution...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 564
From: Margaritaville Daytona
I have the thinner BMW round ones and they have been on the car since 2006 and actually saved me on one occasion. Entering a drive way and did not see a drop off pot hole on the other side, car landed on the puck and it took the brunt of the hit, with just a little scrape to the running panel. I'd leave them in.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Hmm...
Why do you have to buy these things from BMW? Why doesn't GM offer them. Also, do any of the Corvette Vendors offer them, ...well maybe not BMW, but a substitute?
Before I take my car to a dealer, I'd like to have them installed just to make sure they use them.
Why do you have to buy these things from BMW? Why doesn't GM offer them. Also, do any of the Corvette Vendors offer them, ...well maybe not BMW, but a substitute?
Before I take my car to a dealer, I'd like to have them installed just to make sure they use them.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,800
Likes: 2,397
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Don't know if the BMW pucks will do this, but I have aftermarket solid aluminum ones that I mistakenly left in.
I struck a too-vertical speed bump/pothole and the leading edge caught on the pavement, resulting in bending the frame at the puck hole, and destroying the puck. Now I cannot use a puck on that corner.
I struck a too-vertical speed bump/pothole and the leading edge caught on the pavement, resulting in bending the frame at the puck hole, and destroying the puck. Now I cannot use a puck on that corner.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
Don't know if the BMW pucks will do this, but I have aftermarket solid aluminum ones that I mistakenly left in.
I struck a too-vertical speed bump/pothole and the leading edge caught on the pavement, resulting in bending the frame at the puck hole, and destroying the puck. Now I cannot use a puck on that corner.
I struck a too-vertical speed bump/pothole and the leading edge caught on the pavement, resulting in bending the frame at the puck hole, and destroying the puck. Now I cannot use a puck on that corner.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
No, the BMW pucks are a very hard rubber that pop in, not screwed in and would actually protect some by reducing damage as mentioned in one of the above posts where a speed bump hit a puck and did no damage. They would easily pop out before they damaged the hole in the frame.
They pop out pretty easily. But that said I don't think they'll fall out.
