I'm trying to get my car on jackstands to change the rear shock absorbers. Where's a good place to put the jack so I don't damage any suspension parts with the weight of the car?

Near the front there should be a frame cross-member that runs under the oil pan near the stabilzer bar (which you should make sure to avoid), you can use that. In the back, I'm not sure - but it probably tells you in the Bentley.

i always jackthe car up from the side jack pads, then use jackstands on the diff carrier. but i rarely use a jack, lift FTW.

what's wrong with jacking the diff casing?

what's wrong with jacking the diff casing?
Thats what i did when i was changing mine on E30

there should be another jacking point on the rear end to the front of the differential casing, I believe it's the rear subframe - the bentley specifically cautions not to jack from the diff casing.

ouch... good thing I didn't damage my E30 back in the day.

I just did my shocks this weekend. I lifted the car from jack points in the rear. Let it rest on jackstands, took me a whopping 30mins to due both sides. Just my $.02. Good Luck !! :D

i always jackthe car up from the side jack pads, then use jackstands on the diff carrier. but i rarely use a jack, lift FTW.

Yep, there should be pads behind the side skirt, 2 on each side where the pop-out covers for the jack point is.

Seems like a *REALLY* bad idea to jack or hold the car up by the diff. Use the points BMW designed into the car for their intended purpose.

-HoB