No, I'm not associated with the manufacturer, but I do LOVE this dipstick and wanted EVERYONE to see it. It is this simple:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3kaY...e_gdata_player

It's $75, from Cravenspeed. Search for 'dipstick' on their website.

 

I check my oil once a week and reading the dipstick isn't a problem.
I use Mobil 1 European Formula 0W-40 motor oil and change it every 6k miles.
That $75 will pay for two oil changes.

 

Well, that's fine, gregsmini. But it doesn't change that other people have problems with theirs. Your dipstick may look different than ours... even in the manual for the 2011s, the photo in the manual doesn't match what the thing actually looks like! And the main problem is that the solid plastic tip with a wide top and bottom pulls oil through the channel with it, so when you wipe it and put it back in to take your reading, it gets all smeared with oil coming back out. Even my son, who is a gearhead, was puzzled and unhappy with the stock dipstick.

 

Hey, gregsmini, can you post a picture of your dipstick showing the oil reading? I'll take a photo of the factory one for my car. Curious how many different ones there are.

 

5k miles on oil. Tough to see on photo but if you look close you can see it's down about 1/3 qt.

 

Your oil looks dirty to me.

 

That's the same dipstick (or pretty much the same) as the 2011s. It's hard to see the level, but my oil was not as dark which makes it even harder to see. It never made any sort of a change in intensity along the plastic part that I could find. So I really like this dipstick better. Skipping dinner and a movie tonight, cooking at home and watching a DVD (yes, The Italian Job of course) and the dipstick is paid for. :-)

 

It may look dirty, and when it's dark it is easier to read on the stick.

I have now had my oil analyzed by Blackstone Labs three times and they want me to increase my oil change intervals to 7,500 miles.

I think it's OK.

 

The stock dipstick sucks. It's no wonder there have been so many engines blow up due to low oil...

I got the Craven one a couple of days ago, it's worlds easier to read.

 

The indentations I did with a drill bit, the slots with a file. No charge and works well.

 

Off topic in 3..2..1...

What valve cover is this and how do I get one??

I am thinking this is a supercharged engine but the description says R56.

 

Mcmmotorsports-- on the mobile phone it's had to be sure... Are you talking about my engine from the video?? Because if you are, Winnie is naturally aspirated. Just a straight Cooper.

 

I find the oil level is much easier to see if you scuff up the plastic end of the dipstick with some fine sandpaper. You don't need to change the contours of the end, just remove the sheen. When I check my oil, I remove the dipstick and wipe the end with a fast drying solvent (alcohol or lacquer thinner). That leaves a dull finish on the stick and the oil level is much easier to see. If you think your oil is overfilled, insert the dipstick only to the bottom of the plastic handle, the resulting oil level will be exactly 1" low and you can interpolate where it would be if you fully inserted the stick.

 

commenting on this to look at later.

I also have a hard time trying to read the dipstick. I'm coming from old german cars where the dipstick was super easy to read.

 

Great idea, on the dipstick where should the oil level read? Thanks