What are the best brands? I don't mind paying more for quality.

Why pay more? They are probably all from China nowadays. Costco has a decent one for IIRC $50-$60.

glenmore
1991 300CE
1990 LS400
2000 C280

This one is frequently used in Open Discussion

I recently bought a cheap one from Harbor Freight. Was about $60.00 or so.

Don't buy it.

It requires about 50 movements of the handle to get a full lift. Very cheaply made.

The jack in Costco seems to be far better for about the same cost.

If you're really in the mood to spend money, go to www.griotsgarage.com. They have a few, very high quality, far from cheap.

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81 300SD
08 MDX Tech
93 525i

05 F650GS

Knock yourself out at Otto Service.

Some might find it interesting to check some of the links there such as "Which floor jack is best for me?" and "Floor jacks background".

I have no way of evaluating the quality of the information presented, but the guy's not shy about expressing his candid opinions. I can't help but smile, either, to read something like this:

I haven't done business with them, but I'd consider it if my cheap Chinese jack from Sears ever gives up the ghost.

i bought a snap-on (made by walker jack co.) about 16 years ago for $250. snap on driver used to stop at my house and the jacks were on sale. napa used to carry the same jack, different color and they go on sale for under $200 at times. in 16 years of hard use (working in sand, dirt etc) i have never had to replace or even fix it. my friends have spent three times that amount buying numerous china-made, so-called "cheap" jacks that really don't work that well to begin with. get a good quality one and go under your car feeling good!

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0o==o0

James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.

http://www.toolsusa.com/jacks/index.htm?trackcode=google&cat=Jacks

__________________
0o==o0

James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.

OOOOOOOOOO chrome.....but with free Nascar stickers for the fridge...mmm a gatta buy...

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

First ask yourself what you intend to do with it. I have 3 jacks. A Sears from long ago A bottle jack and the Harbor Freight long body jack. All I use not is the HF jack.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42820

How high do you want to jack the car? What jack stands do you have?
How extensive a job are you doing? etc.
The Sears jack ( 19 inches height) was addequate for quite a while. But as my work has gotten more involved ( dropping trannys and rebuilding suspensions) I either needed a lift($$) or a tall jack.
I find the HF jack is fine. Works well and provides 33 inchjes of lift. I have the 6 tons jack stands for good safe support. So working under the car is a safe situation, not iffy.
If money is no factor and you want style go for the nice ones listed. If you really need a tall jack I have found the HF unit does the job well.

One note,. It is a big jack the kind you used to see at gas stations years ago. About 4 ft long. So you will need a place for it in the garage.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Check you hydraulic fluid level. If low it will produce this effect.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

My name's not Jack, but I'm willing to overlook that insult as an honest mistake.

Floor for your car garage?

Ask the snap-on man, etc, about a rebuilt jack.

Once in a while this one goes on the "free shipping" sale. My friend has one and it's nice for hauling around the driveway if you have more than one car to tinker on. They're much lighter than the old steel jacks, like mine.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91039

I need to buy one of these...

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)