I think if you already have a Costco membership I'd get the Costco jack since Lego Maniac mentioned above that their return policy essentially makes it a lifetime guarantee. That would be my suggestion, that said, the Harbor Freight jack has been a good one for me (but we don't have a Costco in town )

As far as being safe to work under a car w/ 4 jack stands, if they're on a flat surface (not an angled driveway for example) and you're not trying to bust locked-up bolts there shouldn't be a problem, but like Flakman stated, it's not really recommended (but being under a car w/ jackstand supporting one end and a jack supporting the other isn't recommended either. What I do whenever I'm under a car with just jackstands I have a couple old truck tires that just slide under the sides of the car rails, if god forbid, the car was to come off the stands there would be another source taking the weight.

 

I don't have any extra tires like that laying around (even if I did, the wife wouldn't allow it to stay long), but that would the the only way I would get underneath the car like that.

I always wondered about the quality of the Harbor Freight jacks. But for $99 I can't see not buying the Costco jack. I know you're lowered, did you get the HF jack with a longer reach to get under your G? What's the minimum pad height (3.5" or 4")?

 

I've had my car with all 4 corners on jackstands a number of times; installing exhaust, tire rotation, bleeding brakes, trans fluid change, etc.

I'll jack up the front under the engine cradle, place the front jack stands. Then jack in the rear under the diff and place the rear stands. The floor jack will be left nearest the end of the car i'm working on as a safety/backup. All this is done in a garage on a level concrete floor.

IIRC, the stands I use are rated at 3 or 4 tons per pair. Plenty to support a 2 ton car.

Edit:

I have 1 set of these : http://www.sears.com/craftsman-profe...ype=SKIP_LEVEL

and 1 set of the 3 ton version.

 

I am not saying that people don't do it, nor that the stands are not more than capable of holding the weight. Weight is not the issue. I am merely stating that they are not designed nor intended to be used to support all four wheels off the ground at the same time especially when being underneath it. The reason being is that once all tires are off of the ground there is nothing to prevent the car moving and tipping any of the jack stands. Yes, people do it...they do it often, but that doesn't make it recommended or safe. Again, read the instructions that came with your jack stands. I guarantee they tell you to use one pair of jack stands at a time only, so that you have 2 tires on the ground at all times. Most likely, only on the same axle, too.

 

Looks like Costco is temporarily out of the floor jack.
Got the Harbor Freight aluminum 3 ton jack . Looks like good quality, however it barely fits under the front of the car (Coupe with sport pkg).

 

2 ton Low Profile/Long Reach Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump

I bought this one a month ago for camber kits etc. I'm lowered on eibach and this "low pro, long reach" was a must. Although for the front jacking point I still need to roll up on two 1" boards.

 

Death of Bimmer Lover

Like Flakman has repeated over and over again in this thread, it is imperative that all precautions and instructions are followed strictly when using floor jacks, jackstands, etc. I remember reading this sad story when it was first posted on the bimmer forums, and I will never forget it. If you don't have time to read all the parts, skip right to part III written by the victim's father. Be careful and be safe, guys.

 

Buy a 2X4 and drive on it, jack will reach.

 

Are you referring to the Pittsburg Automotive "3 ton Low Profile Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump"? It's shown on the Harbor Freight website as being 29" long. That's long enough to reach the front and rear jack points?

 

Speaking of which...is the rear jack point the differential housing? Not usually a good idea to set the jack there I thought.

 

I bought the 3 ton "racing jack" from Harbor Freight. It fits under the front of my 2013 coupe with sport pkg. It barely fits and you have to push very very gently on a piece of plastic protector (Dono what it is) under.
Costco discontinues (maybe temporarily their 2.5 ton jack).
I'm very happy with the jack from HF.
PS- I did not physically checked , but I think the 2.5 ton racing jack is not long enough to fit and reach the front jack point.

 

Yes. It is perfectly safe.

 

Jacking (or jack stands) on the rear control arms or axle shafts is what I believe is to be avoided.

 

Still wonder why you can't find jack stands to fit the OEM jack points that are standard on most cars today