Interior/Exterior Oil Dip Stick
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,008
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I ordered one yesterday after reading about them somewhere in the forums. Maybe I'll have it by the weekend. PM me if you want to know what I think about it when I get it. Just so you know, I bought it for the following reasons.
1. I just know the plastic OEM is going to break
2. Cravens stick cost a little less than an OEM
3. Cravens says theirs will not break
4. Some other guys on the forum recommended them
1. I just know the plastic OEM is going to break
2. Cravens stick cost a little less than an OEM
3. Cravens says theirs will not break
4. Some other guys on the forum recommended them
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
I ordered one yesterday after reading about them somewhere in the forums. Maybe I'll have it by the weekend. PM me if you want to know what I think about it when I get it. Just so you know, I bought it for the following reasons.
1. I just know the plastic OEM is going to break
2. Cravens stick cost a little less than an OEM
3. Cravens says theirs will not break
4. Some other guys on the forum recommended them
1. I just know the plastic OEM is going to break
2. Cravens stick cost a little less than an OEM
3. Cravens says theirs will not break
4. Some other guys on the forum recommended them
You can check it out at;
http://www.gominigo.com/21545.html
Manufacturer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Trending Topics
The Cravenspeed MINI DIPPER comes with a lifetime warranty. It is also easier to remove and it is more flexible than the stock one. Also the new shaft is easier to read.
You can check it out at;
http://www.gominigo.com/21545.html
You can check it out at;
http://www.gominigo.com/21545.html
Plus shipping! 
Any group buys or discounts going on?
My thoughts exactly. Anyone got a pic with oil on the stick?
I would be in for a group buy.
I would be in for a group buy.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 0
I've attached a photo that you can enlarge that shows my OEM and Craven oil dip sticks. Things to know and/or notice when reviewing the photo.
1. OEM stick is on top and comes from my March 2006 S. Craven stick is on bottom.
2. Craven stick is longer than OEM. To show this I made sure the tops were aligned. As a user, I'll have to remember this and know that "full" is more like centered between the 1st and 2nd marker line down from the top on the Craven stick.
3. As requested, the Craven stick has oil on it. Some dripped off from the center of the oil area before I could make the photo. It is much easier to see the oil level on the Craven stick than the OEM stick.
4. OEM stick has a bend about in the middle that makes me think it will break (you can't see this in the photo)
Other thoughts:
1. a group buy is a good idea. Wish I'd thought of that.
2. Even though it seems like a lot of money, it shares cost parity with OEM and avoids the trouble associated with one that breaks in the dipper tube. Of course, Mini/BMW should not have this problem and could do something about it.
1. OEM stick is on top and comes from my March 2006 S. Craven stick is on bottom.
2. Craven stick is longer than OEM. To show this I made sure the tops were aligned. As a user, I'll have to remember this and know that "full" is more like centered between the 1st and 2nd marker line down from the top on the Craven stick.
3. As requested, the Craven stick has oil on it. Some dripped off from the center of the oil area before I could make the photo. It is much easier to see the oil level on the Craven stick than the OEM stick.
4. OEM stick has a bend about in the middle that makes me think it will break (you can't see this in the photo)
Other thoughts:
1. a group buy is a good idea. Wish I'd thought of that.
2. Even though it seems like a lot of money, it shares cost parity with OEM and avoids the trouble associated with one that breaks in the dipper tube. Of course, Mini/BMW should not have this problem and could do something about it.
Last edited by billie_morini; Nov 11, 2007 at 09:05 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 0
sranderle,
Had to look that up for you. The Craven stick I have is a II. I received it today. I bought it directly from Craven. Didn't think about the possibility that someone else would sell them, but it may be how I managed to unwittingly obtain a II.
Had to look that up for you. The Craven stick I have is a II. I received it today. I bought it directly from Craven. Didn't think about the possibility that someone else would sell them, but it may be how I managed to unwittingly obtain a II.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Goodbye Milwaukee, Hello Carson City, NV
Definitive info on the Craven MINI dipper II
I'll start my review by saying that I think that Craven Speed is a stand up company that will , without prompting, stand behind or improve existing products. I believe that the NEW MINI dipper II is a solid product and if there are any problems, the company will make it right.
Right now, you're saying,"Why is he talking like that?" Well, here's what happened.
In early December, I ordered and received the MINI dipper II dipstick from Cravenspeed Performance Products. The shaft looked just like the bottom stick in mini-rolls' post. On Dec. 21, I got a UPS delivery from Cravenspeed that contained another MINI dipper with a different type shaft that looked substantially stronger than the first. I took it out and went to compare/replace the original Craven stick but I failed to notice the enclosed letter with an explanation that they were replacing the original model with one with an improved shaft. Had I noticed that, I would have been very careful about removing the original. In any case, when I took the original out, I got resistance halfway out which is normal because of the bend and SNAP........shudder...... and out comes the top half .........groan......with the bottom half remaining in the tube. I shot off a quick email to Craven. The next morning I went to the MINI dealer and had it removed. While waiting at the service dept., I got a call from Kellon at Craven and told him the problem and a short time after I got home, I got an email from Loren, the President of Craven who agreed to reimburse me the entire cost of the repair as soon as they received the broken stick from me. Craven stepped up without hesitation, without a quibble and agreed to reimburse me.
As I understand it, they sent replacement sticks to all who bought it from them. I don't know if they were able to do the same for those who bought from a reseller. How would they know the addresses? The bottom line is, there was a problem with the original (clear) stick. Craven sought to rectify it without prompting and in my case have agreed to reimburse me for my repair. Therefore, based on their response, 1) I'm sure that any stick they send now will be a quality product and 2) I was impressed with their level of customer service.
Right now, you're saying,"Why is he talking like that?" Well, here's what happened.
In early December, I ordered and received the MINI dipper II dipstick from Cravenspeed Performance Products. The shaft looked just like the bottom stick in mini-rolls' post. On Dec. 21, I got a UPS delivery from Cravenspeed that contained another MINI dipper with a different type shaft that looked substantially stronger than the first. I took it out and went to compare/replace the original Craven stick but I failed to notice the enclosed letter with an explanation that they were replacing the original model with one with an improved shaft. Had I noticed that, I would have been very careful about removing the original. In any case, when I took the original out, I got resistance halfway out which is normal because of the bend and SNAP........shudder...... and out comes the top half
.........groan......with the bottom half remaining in the tube. I shot off a quick email to Craven. The next morning I went to the MINI dealer and had it removed. While waiting at the service dept., I got a call from Kellon at Craven and told him the problem and a short time after I got home, I got an email from Loren, the President of Craven who agreed to reimburse me the entire cost of the repair as soon as they received the broken stick from me. Craven stepped up without hesitation, without a quibble and agreed to reimburse me. As I understand it, they sent replacement sticks to all who bought it from them. I don't know if they were able to do the same for those who bought from a reseller. How would they know the addresses? The bottom line is, there was a problem with the original (clear) stick. Craven sought to rectify it without prompting and in my case have agreed to reimburse me for my repair. Therefore, based on their response, 1) I'm sure that any stick they send now will be a quality product and 2) I was impressed with their level of customer service.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Goodbye Milwaukee, Hello Carson City, NV
I think it was. Not sure how they arrived at that.
Anticipating another question; the dealer took off the oil pan and pushed the remainder from the top. That way, certain they got all of the bits out.
Anticipating another question; the dealer took off the oil pan and pushed the remainder from the top. That way, certain they got all of the bits out.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
From: north seacoast ,Ma.USA
same story for me except I was lucky enough to get the amber one out intact. Great customer service. MINIUSA are you following this re WINDSHIELDS!!!!Thanks Loren! 
I'll start my review by saying that I think that Craven Speed is a stand up company that will , without prompting, stand behind or improve existing products. I believe that the NEW MINI dipper II is a solid product and if there are any problems, the company will make it right.
Right now, you're saying,"Why is he talking like that?" Well, here's what happened.
In early December, I ordered and received the MINI dipper II dipstick from Cravenspeed Performance Products. The shaft looked just like the bottom stick in mini-rolls' post. On Dec. 21, I got a UPS delivery from Cravenspeed that contained another MINI dipper with a different type shaft that looked substantially stronger than the first. I took it out and went to compare/replace the original Craven stick but I failed to notice the enclosed letter with an explanation that they were replacing the original model with one with an improved shaft. Had I noticed that, I would have been very careful about removing the original. In any case, when I took the original out, I got resistance halfway out which is normal because of the bend and SNAP........shudder...... and out comes the top half .........groan......with the bottom half remaining in the tube. I shot off a quick email to Craven. The next morning I went to the MINI dealer and had it removed. While waiting at the service dept., I got a call from Kellon at Craven and told him the problem and a short time after I got home, I got an email from Loren, the President of Craven who agreed to reimburse me the entire cost of the repair as soon as they received the broken stick from me. Craven stepped up without hesitation, without a quibble and agreed to reimburse me.
As I understand it, they sent replacement sticks to all who bought it from them. I don't know if they were able to do the same for those who bought from a reseller. How would they know the addresses? The bottom line is, there was a problem with the original (clear) stick. Craven sought to rectify it without prompting and in my case have agreed to reimburse me for my repair. Therefore, based on their response, 1) I'm sure that any stick they send now will be a quality product and 2) I was impressed with their level of customer service.
Right now, you're saying,"Why is he talking like that?" Well, here's what happened.
In early December, I ordered and received the MINI dipper II dipstick from Cravenspeed Performance Products. The shaft looked just like the bottom stick in mini-rolls' post. On Dec. 21, I got a UPS delivery from Cravenspeed that contained another MINI dipper with a different type shaft that looked substantially stronger than the first. I took it out and went to compare/replace the original Craven stick but I failed to notice the enclosed letter with an explanation that they were replacing the original model with one with an improved shaft. Had I noticed that, I would have been very careful about removing the original. In any case, when I took the original out, I got resistance halfway out which is normal because of the bend and SNAP........shudder...... and out comes the top half
.........groan......with the bottom half remaining in the tube. I shot off a quick email to Craven. The next morning I went to the MINI dealer and had it removed. While waiting at the service dept., I got a call from Kellon at Craven and told him the problem and a short time after I got home, I got an email from Loren, the President of Craven who agreed to reimburse me the entire cost of the repair as soon as they received the broken stick from me. Craven stepped up without hesitation, without a quibble and agreed to reimburse me. As I understand it, they sent replacement sticks to all who bought it from them. I don't know if they were able to do the same for those who bought from a reseller. How would they know the addresses? The bottom line is, there was a problem with the original (clear) stick. Craven sought to rectify it without prompting and in my case have agreed to reimburse me for my repair. Therefore, based on their response, 1) I'm sure that any stick they send now will be a quality product and 2) I was impressed with their level of customer service.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: RVA
75 clams is a *lot* for a little plastic stick, even for one with an aluminum topper. The replacement from MINI didn't cost me anywhere near that much when I broke mine by over-enthusiastically reinserting it. This would be a good time to point out that the shaft of the stock stick is fibreglas; when it broke, it was just the exterior casing, and the fibreglas center kept the broken half from remaining in the tube, or worse, dropping into the pan. A little duct tape to ease my mind and I was back in business. 
