SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Ramps or jack stands?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Ramps or jack stands?
Now that my wonderful Chrysler extended warranty is finally expired, I plan to start doing a fair bit of work on my SL myself. I used to have some nice jack stands and a floor jack, but the wife made me part with them a few moves back. Storage room in the garage is limited so I have been looking at these.
They are 12,000 GVW.
I'm curious if anyone has experience with these.
They are 12,000 GVW.
I'm curious if anyone has experience with these.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Cal, if you're lowered and/or have a front lip, you'll never be able to drive up on those. You can jack the car up and place them under the wheels, but at that point, might as well just have stands. There are some Low-pro race ramps available, but I think they're a bit pricey, last I checked.
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Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
you need to buy 2 floor jacks, and you can jack the whole front or rear of the car. the ramps are dangerous and you cant do any real mechanical work with them
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Cal, if you're lowered and/or have a front lip, you'll never be able to drive up on those. You can jack the car up and place them under the wheels, but at that point, might as well just have stands. There are some Low-pro race ramps available, but I think they're a bit pricey, last I checked.
I was thinking I could turn off the ELM and raise to max height, but doesn't sound like a good way to go.How about one floor jack plus jack stands. I am assuming there is a lift point where a single floor jack can raise the whole front like the front cross member so I can then place jack stands on either side at the hockey puck like lift points. Can anyone confirm?
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
single lift block in the front, rear diff in the back.
Ramps are safer than jackstands, but if you are careful with either, you should be fine. I prefer ramps if I don't need the car up very high.
If you are lowered, you will need a long long profile jack, so its no picnic either way.
I use both, which is ideal (save for a lift)
Ramps are safer than jackstands, but if you are careful with either, you should be fine. I prefer ramps if I don't need the car up very high.
If you are lowered, you will need a long long profile jack, so its no picnic either way.
I use both, which is ideal (save for a lift)
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Sweden
SL55AMG + SL600 + E320 + A180
Safety first
So you decided to keep it? Good choice my friend 
My way to go ..... home made .... height adjustable ...... for every day maybe don't look prof. but do the job just fine
)) good feeling when laying under the car ......
Next pic. for larger work underneath ......
My way to go ..... home made .... height adjustable ...... for every day maybe don't look prof. but do the job just fine
)) good feeling when laying under the car ......Next pic. for larger work underneath ......
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Joined: Sep 2013
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
Unless all you ever intend to do are oil changes, ramps are (near) useless.
Can't do brakes! Can't do axles or even pull a wheel for access from the side.
Really they are just useless.
1 or 2 jacks and 2 or 4 stands. no real debate IMO.
Can't do brakes! Can't do axles or even pull a wheel for access from the side.
Really they are just useless.
1 or 2 jacks and 2 or 4 stands. no real debate IMO.
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Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Mercedes SL63 AMG; Mercedes E63 AMG S 4matic; Mercedes C43 AMG; Mercedes S Class, Mercedes GLK
Have you considered scissor lifts?
Not sure how much you would be prepared to spend, but I've been looking for a lift for my garage and came across these. I wouldn't have known this type existed if I hadn't been searching for a full size lift.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...e-Scissor-Lift
This is just one option, there are plenty more at various price points if you look around. I've seen some that are quite compact, but also heavy duty/safe at the same time. I'm building a garage to accommodate a full size lift, but if I was space limited I would definitely go for something like this over ramps or multiple jacks.
James
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...e-Scissor-Lift
This is just one option, there are plenty more at various price points if you look around. I've seen some that are quite compact, but also heavy duty/safe at the same time. I'm building a garage to accommodate a full size lift, but if I was space limited I would definitely go for something like this over ramps or multiple jacks.
James
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 85
From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
single lift block in the front, rear diff in the back.
Ramps are safer than jackstands, but if you are careful with either, you should be fine. I prefer ramps if I don't need the car up very high.
If you are lowered, you will need a long long profile jack, so its no picnic either way.
I use both, which is ideal (save for a lift)
Ramps are safer than jackstands, but if you are careful with either, you should be fine. I prefer ramps if I don't need the car up very high.
If you are lowered, you will need a long long profile jack, so its no picnic either way.
I use both, which is ideal (save for a lift)
Regarding keeping the car, the wifey says I am as predicable as hell. I talk about selling the SL every winter when I can't drive it and call it a POS just waiting to break something new. Then, the first time I drive it when the weather turns I tell wifey I am keeping the SL forever.
Not sure how much you would be prepared to spend, but I've been looking for a lift for my garage and came across these. I wouldn't have known this type existed if I hadn't been searching for a full size lift.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...e-Scissor-Lift
This is just one option, there are plenty more at various price points if you look around. I've seen some that are quite compact, but also heavy duty/safe at the same time. I'm building a garage to accommodate a full size lift, but if I was space limited I would definitely go for something like this over ramps or multiple jacks.
James
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...e-Scissor-Lift
This is just one option, there are plenty more at various price points if you look around. I've seen some that are quite compact, but also heavy duty/safe at the same time. I'm building a garage to accommodate a full size lift, but if I was space limited I would definitely go for something like this over ramps or multiple jacks.
James
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Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
if you watch sears or napa or harbor freight or other auto parts stores you can find a 3 ton floor jacks and 2 jack stands for about $100, I bought 2 of them
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
So you just use two standard floor jacks and lift from both sides instead of using a long low profile, expensive floor jack to lift the center front or back end? Makes sense.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 85
From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
