Use this DIY to Jack Up an E36 (1991-1999) 3 Series BMW

Works For:
1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 BMW 3 Series Models
BMW 3 Series Includes:  316, 318, 320, 323, 325, 328, 330 and M3 .

About one third of all tasks that you need to perform on your car require it to be raised off of the ground. Simple enough for the experienced mechanic, the procedure of lifting a 3000-lbs BMW can be a bit unnerving for the amateur. In this technical article, I’ll show you the best places to jack your car up, and support it while you’re working on it.

First, let’s talk a bit about safety. Haphazard use of a floor jack can result in some pretty significant and expensive damage to you or your car. Before you begin raising the car, make sure that you have the wheels of the car blocked so that it can’t roll. It’s also wise to have your parking brake on as well, and the car placed in first gear. You should always use jack stands in pairs to support the car – not simply the floor jack. Even if you are only lifting the car up for a few minutes, make sure that you place a jack stand loosely underneath the transmission or the motor, just in case the floor jack fails.

Before you attempt to begin jacking up the car, make sure that all four wheels are carefully chocked, and that the car is on a level surface.  Keep in mind that if you back up the rear of the car, the emergency brake no longer works (it works only on the two rearmost wheels of the car).   If you place the car in park, it will only lock the rear wheels as well.   Place a few 2×4 pieces of wood under each of the wheels to make sure that the car will not roll anywhere when you lift it up off of the ground…

View the full DIY at PelicanParts here: BMW 3 Series (1991-1999) Jacking Up DIY