another 4 post lift thread...

[95050JohnR]

As I get older, I'm learning (feeling?) that crawling on the floor during my build is not doing my back any favors, so I'm looking into getting a lift. I'm leaning towards a 4 post for the stackability in a 9' ceiling....if possible. It's given that I'll need to heighten my garage door and switch to a side-mount opener. I know this has been brought up a few times before but reading through all the posts is like trying to drink from the firehose so here are a few focused questions:
1. what is the total height of a MK4 roadster (17" wheels) from the ground to the highest point (windshield or F5 rollbar)?
2. has anyone accomplished stacking a roadster and another vehicle (my E39 M5 garage queen stands at ~4'-6" high) in a standard 9' ceiling; actually, the total height would be ~8'-6" given the thickness of the garage door in the raised position, and if so, any nuggets of wisdom?

Thanks in advance,
John R

[gbranham]

For what it's worth, I stacked my Roadster and a Fox Mustang in an 11 foot garage, and I wouldn't want it any lower. Take the total of the two cars' heights, and add 7 inches for ceiling minimums. I think 9 feet is far too low.

Greg

[Lidodrip]

I am not sure stacking will be possible with a 9' ceiling. I have a 4 post lift and 10' ceilings. I have a MK4 with 17" wheels and a FFR roll bar. I am able to partially park my VW Touareg underneath, but not all the way. My Touareg is 5'8" tall. Since my ceilings are 1' taller and my car is 1' taller, the proportion would be the same as your BMW in a 9' garage.



Keep in mind, that in order to lower the car on a 4 post lift, you need to raise it a couple of inches first to allow you to disengage the lock mechanism. My car in the picture is at max height - any higher and it would hit the ceiling when raising it to lower it.

On a different note, I have had two E39s - great cars!

James

[95050JohnR]

Thanks Greg and James. Not the responses I wanted to hear, but definitely the ones I needed.

James - I'm not only cursed with low ceilings, I also have the joy of a shallow garage, so parking similar to yours is out of the question <sigh>.
I LOVE my E39; I did contemplate getting rid of it when I bought my roadster, but couldn't go through with it, hence the desire for the stacking lift. My house must've been designed for a something like a 1950's VW bug in mind

John

[Jeff33Ford]

Just to add to this. I have a pole barn with 10ft ceiling. No way I could get that to work for parking any car under it I have much less trying to work under it. Could only use a roll around stool to do anything under the car. I added a beam in the middle to support the trusses and cut a big hole in the ceiling for the car to raise into. Maybe you have nothing above your garage??

[CraigS]

I agree w/ Jeff. Look at the ceiling. You may be able to do similar.

[rponfick]

Just to add to this. I have a pole barn with 10ft ceiling. No way I could get that to work for parking any car under it I have much less trying to work under it. Could only use a roll around stool to do anything under the car. I added a beam in the middle to support the trusses and cut a big hole in the ceiling for the car to raise into. Maybe you have nothing above your garage??

Same here, I cut two holes in my ceiling, one for the roll bar and one for the windshield and I could do it. When I posted this years ago someone said their master bedroom was above the garage, and do you think my wife would mind?
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Ralph

[95050JohnR]

Some good suggestions...especially the holes in the ceiling (in my case rafters/storage). I still think the garage door would be an issue when opened (even if changing the rails and switching to a side opener) and I'm not sure I'd have enough depth to position the lift to clear it when a car is loaded. I'll have to think more about this.
shop2.JPG

[Erik W. Treves]

the depth might be an issue more than height.