Lifting advice

[LDW]

I am investigating options for buying a new system of lifting the car in my garage.

I have narrowed it down to mid rise scissor lift or four post lift. I have ruled out two post as I just do not like them and I am not sure the floor is thick enough.

So advice from my learned colleagues. Which would you recommend and why?

I accept there is no perfect answer but....

For reference I can lift the car a maximum of 1.5m before the top of the windscreen will touch the ceiling.

Therefore a four post gives a little more height c500mm and has nothing underneath. Scissor lift automatically takes the wheels off the floor.

Help please.

[ChrisP]

You will get a number of different preferences!!! It’s an individual choice. I went for a mobile single post from Nottingham Garage Services but similar are on EBay too. Works for me. Gives good access underneath and wheels off the ground with the added bonus of being able to pull it to the side of the garage when you don’t need it (or take it outside for full height lift on a sunny day)

[GDCobra]

I was going to go for a 4 post due to lifting difficulties with a GD with it's backbone chassis.
In the end I went for a 2 poster as it was more versatile. And made up a beam to locate under the rear of the body & Chassis to allow a safe lift.

I was concerned about the attachment to the floor bit figured if I saw any issue I'd maybe brace it to the roof or chop out and remake the floor.
As it turns out I've had my Skoda Superb on it which most likely does not carry its weight as central as the Cobra and if it can handle 1.5-2T of front heavy saloon car it won't struggle with <900KG of Cobra.
Only had it a couple of years but had a heck of a lot of use, feel like I've had it forever. Makes taking the body off nearly as easy as changing a wheel! (OK, I know that's not an issue for many cars, but good for th GD)

[Cobragreyhead]

I have a 3t scissor. 1 metre height underneath , perfect for me as any higher and ceiling an issue.

[KugaWestie]

I also have a 1m lift scissor which works really well.
The good thing for me with a scissor is that it is all under the car and does not take any space down the sides of the car.

I am amazed at how much I use it so whichever option you choose will be an eye opener

[aaronjb]

You will get a number of different preferences!!! It’s an individual choice. I went for a mobile single post from Nottingham Garage Services but similar are on EBay too. Works for me. Gives good access underneath and wheels off the ground with the added bonus of being able to pull it to the side of the garage when you don’t need it (or take it outside for full height lift on a sunny day)

Is that these folks, Chris? https://www.automotiveliftservices.co.uk/

If so, did you get the Dama or EE lift?

[GDCobra]

I also have a 1m lift scissor which works really well.
The good thing for me with a scissor is that it is all under the car and does not take any space down the sides of the car.

I am amazed at how much I use it so whichever option you choose will be an eye opener

Agreed, although the downside is you end up doing jobs you would otherwise not have done. Or is that just me?

[ChrisP]

Is that these folks, Chris? https://www.automotiveliftservices.co.uk/

If so, did you get the Dama or EE lift?

No it was Nottingham Garage Equipment but I don’t think they have a website. I do have a sticker on the lift if anyone wants the number. Could share tomorrow. Great bit of kit, well made and heavy duty.
Something like this but cheaper! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174181223066

[kdavies3]

I'm quite happy with my 2 post lift (half height).
I've had 4 post in the past, not suitable for Cobra fettling in my opinion.

[aaronjb]

No it was Nottingham Garage Equipment but I don’t think they have a website. I do have a sticker on the lift if anyone wants the number. Could share tomorrow. Great bit of kit, well made and heavy duty.
Something like this but cheaper! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174181223066

Cheers Chris - I googled "nottingham garage equipment" and that was the first place that popped up; still boggles my mind that anyone gets by in business without a website in 2020! I was curious - I have a mid-rise mobile scissor lift which has been excellent, but does occasionally get in the way if I want to do anything around the outer chassis outriggers (like seat bolts, exhaust hangers) because the wide platforms are so close to the underside of the car when it's up on the lifting pads.

A 2-poster is the dream, but I don't have the head height without taking the roof off the garage