Car ramps - plastic or metal?

[lordrobs]

I'm going to get myself some ramps purely to make basic car maintenance a little bit quicker and easier. Basically, I just need something that will give me enough access to get under a Polo / MX5 to drop the undertray (on the Polo at least), drain the sump and swap out the oil filter.

I was all set to get some of the traditional metal ladder style ones like my grandad had 40 years ago but I did spy in one of Gibbo's photos some nice looking plastic jobbies that look like they may be a better option.

Has anyone able to give any advice as to which are better and even better some recommendations for which ones to get?

 

[lordrobs]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've got a decent set of axle stands and a slightly less decent trolley jack. I think I'll get myself a set of metal ramps to go along with them with the intention of upgrading the jack at a later date.

 

[lordrobs]

Both of ours the oil drain plug is right at the back corner of the sump so if the car is tipped upwards it actually helps get more out as it makes the drain the lowest point

I guess that is car dependent though.

Our Polo certainly has the sump plug on the back of the sump. MX5 I'm not actually sure as I've always sucked the oil out with my Pela oil extractor previously.

Seeing as both our cars end up getting serviced after 2 or 3 thousand miles due to exceptionally low annual use I'm not massively worried about there being half a cup full of oil left in anyway.

Went for the Halfords ones as they have £20 off, plus I had a £5 voucher. There seems more horizontal bars than some ramps I've seen so hopefully that will help with getting up them a touch easier.