BMW Jacking Pad Comparison (PICS)
04-26-2006, 01:36 PM
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BMW Jacking Pad Comparison (PICS)
Just recieved a set of rectangular BMW jacking pads from the helpful folks at Bavarian Autosport.
Two thicknesses are available.
I opted for the thicker of the two, shown below, as I wanted to maximize clearance between a commercial service bay's lift arms and the rocker panels.
Unlike the round pads that we are familiar with, these pads are rectangular, quite a bit thicker, and secure with a combination of snap in tabs like the round ones and an expansion pin as well. They also have flexible gasket material in the inside perimeter.
The bottom of the pad has a hollowed area and there are two small concavities in the longer sides.
A similar taper is present and the material is the same incompressible glass filled nylon.
Round pad thickness: 5/8"
Rectangular pad thickness: 1 1/8"
(Hockey puck: 15/16")
Two thicknesses are available.
I opted for the thicker of the two, shown below, as I wanted to maximize clearance between a commercial service bay's lift arms and the rocker panels.
Unlike the round pads that we are familiar with, these pads are rectangular, quite a bit thicker, and secure with a combination of snap in tabs like the round ones and an expansion pin as well. They also have flexible gasket material in the inside perimeter.
The bottom of the pad has a hollowed area and there are two small concavities in the longer sides.
A similar taper is present and the material is the same incompressible glass filled nylon.
Round pad thickness: 5/8"
Rectangular pad thickness: 1 1/8"
(Hockey puck: 15/16")
Last edited by ProfMoriarty; 04-26-2006 at 02:50 PM.
04-26-2006, 02:08 PM
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FWIW, if anyone decides to go with BMW pads (regardless of configuration), I would purchase them from Bavarian Autosport.
The fellow I spoke with was very accommodating. I told him what I was looking for and that I was interested in the thicker of the two pads. He had the items pulled from stock and measured and gave me a call back in a very short period of time.
I told him they were for a Vette before he began his search, but the knowledge that he didn't have a done deal on the sale, that the items are inexpensive, and that he couldn't count on repeat business from a, as far as he knew, non-BMW owner didn't deter him from being very helpful.
The fellow I spoke with was very accommodating. I told him what I was looking for and that I was interested in the thicker of the two pads. He had the items pulled from stock and measured and gave me a call back in a very short period of time.
I told him they were for a Vette before he began his search, but the knowledge that he didn't have a done deal on the sale, that the items are inexpensive, and that he couldn't count on repeat business from a, as far as he knew, non-BMW owner didn't deter him from being very helpful.
04-26-2006, 02:27 PM
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I would purchase them from Bavarian Autosport.
I've done a fair amount of business with Bav Auto over the years (having had 4 BMWs) and have always had good experiences. I ordered my jacking pads from them as well.
04-26-2006, 03:33 PM
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St. Jude Donor '06
That's great information, Professor! 
I have the thinner ones and they have some play when installed. Does the flexible gasket material make them fit snugly?
I may go ahead and replace mine with the thicker ones as the thin ones are just marginally thick enough and may not be if equipment used to lift the car has any type of 'lip' on it.
________________________________________ ____________________________
I went ahead and ordered some...as you said, Brian at Bavarian was very helpful. They're shipping out today.
I have the thinner ones and they have some play when installed. Does the flexible gasket material make them fit snugly?
I may go ahead and replace mine with the thicker ones as the thin ones are just marginally thick enough and may not be if equipment used to lift the car has any type of 'lip' on it.
________________________________________ ____________________________
I went ahead and ordered some...as you said, Brian at Bavarian was very helpful. They're shipping out today.
Last edited by C-INRED; 04-26-2006 at 03:41 PM.
04-26-2006, 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by ProfMoriarty
FWIW, if anyone decides to go with BMW pads (regardless of configuration), I would purchase them from Bavarian Autosport.
The fellow I spoke with was very accommodating. I told him what I was looking for and that I was interested in the thicker of the two pads. He had the items pulled from stock and measured and gave me a call back in a very short period of time.
I told him they were for a Vette before he began his search, but the knowledge that he didn't have a done deal on the sale, that the items are inexpensive, and that he couldn't count on repeat business from a, as far as he knew, non-BMW owner didn't deter him from being very helpful.
The fellow I spoke with was very accommodating. I told him what I was looking for and that I was interested in the thicker of the two pads. He had the items pulled from stock and measured and gave me a call back in a very short period of time.
I told him they were for a Vette before he began his search, but the knowledge that he didn't have a done deal on the sale, that the items are inexpensive, and that he couldn't count on repeat business from a, as far as he knew, non-BMW owner didn't deter him from being very helpful.
I had a very similar and pleasant experience with the Katy/West Houston BMW parts desk. Nice folks. I bought 4 of the round ones, but haven't had the opportunity/need to use them yet, so keep them in one of the "beer coolers" in the trunk with my other tagalong tools.
04-26-2006, 04:05 PM
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Save yourself the shipping cost and stop into your local BMW dealer to purchase these.
The rectangular ones are from the 330 series and the round ones are from the 740 series cars. These are stock parts everywhere and the Bavarian Autosport prices/part numbers are just standard BMW list prices...
The rectangular ones are from the 330 series and the round ones are from the 740 series cars. These are stock parts everywhere and the Bavarian Autosport prices/part numbers are just standard BMW list prices...
04-26-2006, 05:24 PM
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Funster
Save yourself the shipping cost and stop into your local BMW dealer to purchase these.
The rectangular ones are from the 330 series and the round ones are from the 740 series cars. These are stock parts everywhere and the Bavarian Autosport prices/part numbers are just standard BMW list prices...
The rectangular ones are from the 330 series and the round ones are from the 740 series cars. These are stock parts everywhere and the Bavarian Autosport prices/part numbers are just standard BMW list prices...
Nope...I paid considerably more for my round ones from a local dealer than Bavarian charges. And in checking with two local BMW dealers, their prices were considerably different. Apparently each dealer sets their own prices.
04-26-2006, 07:52 PM
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2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Thanx, Professor. My time has SOME value, so I just ordered the rectangular, thicker pads from Bavarian. My last order from them was in 2002 for my wife's BMW, but they still recognized my email and password from back then. I thought 5.95 for shipping was quite reasonable, and of course I save a buck or two due to no sales tax.
04-26-2006, 07:59 PM
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by ProfMoriarty
FWIW, if anyone decides to go with BMW pads (regardless of configuration), I would purchase them from Bavarian Autosport.
They were exceptional. Discussed Vettes with them, they were very helpful and friendly. Not exactly like my current GM dealer. They even put me on their mailing list. Love the C6, but guess I'll have to buy another BMW too.
04-26-2006, 09:45 PM
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by clevitekid
Thanx, Professor. My time has SOME value, so I just ordered the rectangular, thicker pads from Bavarian. My last order from them was in 2002 for my wife's BMW, but they still recognized my email and password from back then. I thought 5.95 for shipping was quite reasonable, and of course I save a buck or two due to no sales tax.
04-26-2006, 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by PAVette
Thanks for the post!
Good info.
04-26-2006, 11:06 PM
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Originally Posted by C-INRED
I'm sure you'll report the purchase to the proper state authority and pay your fair share of sales tax.
