Home garage lift recommendations!

My 3 car garage is full with the LP640, 6.0 and Bentley. My F150 sits in the drive way which I don't mind. But my fiancé just picked up a CLS550 and I hate to not have a garage for it. A friend recommended since the two Lambos are parked next to each other and driven the "least" I should consider a 4 post drive on lift for both and since they are only 45" tall they are pretty compact.

 

I wanted to know if you guys have any inputs to what to look for, specific brands that are the best and sturdiest, and any other recommendations. All inputs would be appreciated!

My 3 car garage is full with the LP640, 6.0 and Bentley. My F150 sits in the drive way which I don't mind. But my fiancé just picked up a CLS550 and I hate to not have a garage for it. A friend recommended since the two Lambos are parked next to each other and driven the "least" I should consider a 4 post drive on lift for both and since they are only 45" tall they are pretty compact.

 

I wanted to know if you guys have any inputs to what to look for, specific brands that are the best and sturdiest, and any other recommendations. All inputs would be appreciated!

 

 

Bendpak HD9

Bendpak HD9

 

 

I am reading a lot of mixed reviews about Bendpak in general. Some love it and bunch of people talk about poor customer service, hydraulics issue, pumps leaking and no one ever answering the phone. I just called them and press for sales and it just keeps ringing and ringing with no answer. No message to say "hey we are closed" or whatever. Doesnt give me warm fuzzy feelings lol.

I am reading a lot of mixed reviews about Bendpak in general. Some love it and bunch of people talk about poor customer service, hydraulics issue, pumps leaking and no one ever answering the phone. I just called them and press for sales and it just keeps ringing and ringing with no answer. No message to say "hey we are closed" or whatever. Doesnt give me warm fuzzy feelings lol.

 

Hmmm, they could be closed today but should at least have a recording.

 

Bendpak or Rotary are the only two I would seriously consider.

 

http://www.lambopower.com/forum/index.php?...;hl=garage+lift

 

 

You are parking 2 up door cars in the same bay.

 

If you are considering buying a lift, make sure that you have sufficient capacity.

 

1) The height of the garage is important. You have to be able to lift the top car up high enough to get the second car in the garage AND open the door on the lower car for ingress/egress.

You may have to extend the tracks for the door and switch to a "side winding" door opener to get the clearance you require.

 

2) This ties in with #1) make sure you have enough overall lift height to allow you to fully open the door of the bottom car with the lift in the raised position.

 

I can't speak to the 4 post, but my old Challenger 2 post has never missed a beat. It has been moved twice and has never let me down. (no pun intended)

 

 

 

I have a 4 post www.directlift.com and it has been great

You are parking 2 up door cars in the same bay.

 

If you are considering buying a lift, make sure that you have sufficient capacity.

 

1) The height of the garage is important. You have to be able to lift the top car up high enough to get the second car in the garage AND open the door on the lower car for ingress/egress.

You may have to extend the tracks for the door and switch to a "side winding" door opener to get the clearance you require.

 

2) This ties in with #1) make sure you have enough overall lift height to allow you to fully open the door of the bottom car with the lift in the raised position.

 

Agreed 100%

 

The Lambo's height is low but their doors open upward. Furthermore, both the 6.0 and the LP640 have window frames on their doors (unlike the Aventador and the Gallardo & Huracan) which make it next to impossible to fully open the doors on the lower car. A 14ft ceiling would be ideal for the Bendpak HD9. You can get by with 11ft but be prepare to literally contort and crawl you way out of the lower car (assuming your physique allows you to do so) and that's while holding down the door to prevent it from hitting the platform that supports the upper car. The LP640 would also be tight on the HD-9 (it's doable, just a bit tight due to the width of the car).

 

This is when I had the Aventador and the DBS. Now I have the Mac and Aventador. When the Avey is on the bottom, I just pull in at a slight angle so the drivers door can open.

I've had the lift for 4 years with zero issues

 

This is when I had the Aventador and the DBS. Now I have the Mac and Aventador. When the Avey is on the bottom, I just pull in at a slight angle so the drivers door can open.

I've had the lift for 4 years with zero issues

 

 

@John - How high is your ceiling?

 

 

@op - I ran into the same issue and solved it with parking at work. It may or may not apply here but I was able to negotiate 75 garage parking spaces with 5 being marked as "reserved" at my building. I was surprised how easy it was to do. I sent an email to the LL requesting to add it to the lease terms. He said no problem. Our garage is private and requires a key fob that opens a gate for access.

 

 

Agreed 100%

 

The Lambo's height is low but their doors open upward. Furthermore, both the 6.0 and the LP640 have window frames on their doors (unlike the Aventador and the Gallardo & Huracan) which make it next to impossible to fully open the doors on the lower car. A 14ft ceiling would be ideal for the Bendpak HD9. You can get by with 11ft but be prepare to literally contort and crawl you way out of the lower car (assuming your physique allows you to do so) and that's while holding down the door to prevent it from hitting the platform that supports the upper car. The LP640 would also be tight on the HD-9 (it's doable, just a bit tight due to the width of the car).

 

 

When you say having enough space to open the doors on the lowered cars I am assuming you mean if I decide to park the lambos below. My thoughts were that since the two lambos would be the "least driven" would sit on top. That way I don't have the issue of trying to open their door when they are underneath or am i over looking something ?

The air locks on the BendPak lifts are a hassle. I have an HD9 and it will not hold pressure even after BP replaced most of the pneumatic components more than once. They have basically given up and won't return my phone calls.

We have a Challenger and it has been great.

I have the Bendpak HD9-XW and it is great. If you look closely, you can see I put 1 inch steel spacers under each of the four posts. My diablo can be under it and the door open fully.

When you say having enough space to open the doors on the lowered cars I am assuming you mean if I decide to park the lambos below. My thoughts were that since the two lambos would be the "least driven" would sit on top. That way I don't have the issue of trying to open their door when they are underneath or am i over looking something ?

 

Ok, so you are having 2 lifts and the Lambos are on top. That would solve the issue then. The only thing to watch out for is moving the Lambos onto the platform. Remember to use the lift on the car so they won't scrape and due to the slow maneuvering, it will cause wear on the clutch.

I have the Bendpak HD9-XW and it is great. If you look closely, you can see I put 1 inch steel spacers under each of the four posts.

I see you are from So Cal. Is that where the lift is? If so, surprised you have it bolted...I was told that's a bad idea in earthquake country...

@John - How high is your ceiling?

 

 

@op - I ran into the same issue and solved it with parking at work. It may or may not apply here but I was able to negotiate 75 garage parking spaces with 5 being marked as "reserved" at my building. I was surprised how easy it was to do. I sent an email to the LL requesting to add it to the lease terms. He said no problem. Our garage is private and requires a key fob that opens a gate for access.

 

I have 10' ceilings

Great thread and thanks for the link above. I am in the process of building a new house and went ahead and got the garage doors that go straight up with the motors on the side. I think the ceilings are 18' so there should be plenty of clearance. Now i just need to decide on the lift.

i have a 4 Post Challanger which works great with zero issues. i originally wanted a bendpak but was talked out of it

Make sure you get a lift that is wide enough to accommodate a Lamborghini. Several on the market are too narrow and will not.

Thanks for all the help guys. I found out i have 11' ceilings so I am good. I just ended up ordering a Challenger 9k lift. I got their wide version so the inside column width is 110" which is plenty wide enough. I did a lot of research and it seems that Challenger is one that had the most positive reviews and more importantly the least amount of complaints. Rotary sold to a chinese company so its not the Rotary that it used to be. It is being made by Dover who also makes Directlift. I figured if i am going to pay top dollar i want one that is as much U.S. made. And pretty much Bendpak is 100% chinese as well. Needless to say I cant wait to get this bad boy installed.

Thanks for all the help guys. I found out i have 11' ceilings so I am good. I just ended up ordering a Challenger 9k lift. I got their wide version so the inside column width is 110" which is plenty wide enough. I did a lot of research and it seems that Challenger is one that had the most positive reviews and more importantly the least amount of complaints. Rotary sold to a chinese company so its not the Rotary that it used to be. It is being made by Dover who also makes Directlift. I figured if i am going to pay top dollar i want one that is as much U.S. made. And pretty much Bendpak is 100% chinese as well. Needless to say I cant wait to get this bad boy installed.

 

Make sure you get a lift that is wide enough to accommodate a Lamborghini. Several on the market are too narrow and will not.

 

@ alpha6164

 

Related to donzikid's post directly above: If this is what you bought: http://www.challengerlifts.com/CL4P9_spec.shtml

 

Your cars will 'fit', but you might find that your back wheels - for both of your cars - may hang off the sides of the ramps of that lift.

 

The specs show the ramps are 20" across each + 37.4" between them = 77.4". Your Diablo is listed as 80" wide and your Murci is listed as 81".

 

I was warned about width of my FGT (77" rear track width) when looking for a lift. I went BendPak (no affiliation) HD-9 and HD-9XW respectively. At max width setting (adjustable), 19" ramps x 2 + 44.4" between them = 82.4"

 

Probably not a safety issue, but it will force you to be pretty precise loading on-center.

@ alpha6164

 

Related to donzikid's post directly above: If this is what you bought: http://www.challengerlifts.com/CL4P9_spec.shtml

 

Your cars will 'fit', but you might find that your back wheels - for both of your cars - may hang off the sides of the ramps of that lift.

 

The specs show the ramps are 20" across each + 37.4" between them = 77.4". Your Diablo is listed as 80" wide and your Murci is listed as 81".

 

I was warned about width of my FGT (77" rear track width) when looking for a lift. I went BendPak (no affiliation) HD-9 and HD-9XW respectively. At max width setting (adjustable), 19" ramps x 2 + 44.4" between them = 82.4"

 

Probably not a safety issue, but it will force you to be pretty precise loading on-center.

 

 

Yep. I went with the CL4P9W which has the widest inside column width but the ramps are 20" and specs shows width to be 38" apart making the outside edges 78". So at 80" i will have ~1" of tire out on either side. You cant win everywhere lol. Since the 6.0 is the "least" driven vehicle currently, I will personally park it there up top so it wont be an issue

Yep. I went with the CL4P9W which has the widest inside column width but the ramps are 20" and specs shows width to be 38" apart making the outside edges 78". So at 80" i will have ~1" of tire out on either side. You cant win everywhere lol. Since the 6.0 is the "least" driven vehicle currently, I will personally park it there up top so it wont be an issue

 

Right on brother.