I have read so many problems that have been posted that could have been prevented by BMW/MINI owning up to the fact that the dipsticks of the later model MINI's won't work using normal methods. I made a thread 'How to read the 2011+ dipsticks' in the How To section. This thread explains why the existing dipsticks can't read the correct oil level using normal methods and suggestions for ways to get good readings. I think that it should be obvious to BMW/MINI that there is a problem when the MC2 magazine thought it important enough to add a four page article.
The article called 'Just Stick IT' appeared in the February-March 2012 issue 36. This was the article that first made me aware of the problem. Had I not found out how to get a correct reading, I would not have known that my dealer over filled my oil by over a quart. This is just one example of the importance of being able to get a good reading. Craven sells a dipstick that actually works using normal methods and BlackIce shows a relatively simple method to modify the existing dipstick, so it can be fixed.
Both of these fixes are in the 'How to read the 2011+ dipstick' thread. I don't know what the liability implications are for admitting the existing dipstick cannot be used as they suggest. I would think that there is an even larger liability for not admitting that there is a real problem. The only thing I can do is point out the problem.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dipstick.html

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B, 14,000 trouble free miles

 

Citing MC2 pretty much tells me it is a bogus issue.

 

I was an early owner: 02-S
now drive an 07-S as my dd

never had a problem reading either dip stick

have more problems with the one in my 79

funny thing - clean oil is harder to find on the dip stick.....

 

Neither of you guys have a 2011 so your dipstick should be easy to read. I have a 2011 and, just like most other people, it is nearly impossible to read.

I've been thinking about doing the modification to my current stick to make it more readable. I can't see buying the CS stick and spending $75 on something that fixes something that should be a non-issue to begin with.

 

if you don't know how to read

it does not matter what font they used

 

I've got a 2011....absolutely no issues reading the dipstick.

 

You are apparently not aware of the slinky design MINI used for my year and the complaints it generated. Hence, the change to a different type oil dipstick in an (failed?) effort to make things better.

 

Pic please

 

I am warning you guys -- keep complaining about MINI dipsticks and there won't be one in the next updated model (just as there isn't one with new BMW's). Just saying....

 

It would be courteous to provide a link to the 'How to read the 2011+ dipstick' thread.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dipstick.html

My '07 has the coiled shaft too, and was having trouble reading it too.

Is there a big pipe cleaner (like for smoking pipes) that could be used to clean out the oil on the tube? It's ridiculous to wait for the oil to drain down, at $120/hour.

Must say this stick is 100% better than the '03, that tends to break.

 

I totally agree with Calforhelp (again) about the factory dipstick and.... seriously Craven? $75?!?!?!?

 

I am sort of under the belief that a bunch of dip sticks are reading the dip sticks... I have checked oil on many of cars that leave an oil residue down the tube and it gets on the tip. Using the method of putting the stick back in just above the reservoir level multiple times has always worked.

 

I don't think it's a bogus issue. I've been operating/maintaining motorcycles, cars, boats, lawnmowers, tractors, pressure washers, generators, etc. all with internal combusion engines for well over fifty years and have never had trouble reading a dip stick until my 2013 MINI. When I asked my MA how to read it, I was referred to the Service Manager who said it could be a problem for people who didn't know how to read it but offered no advice how to do it properly.

Thanks to byron h for posting instructions on how to read it. The multiple wipe system takes a little more time but it works fine for me.

 

So, it isn't a problem, but you have to go to unusual measures to read it. I guess I'm a dipstick, then, k h d. Thanks for that nice thought. I bought the Craven, and I can read my oil any time, any where, without looking like I am fishing for goldfish.

Go on other car forums... how many threads on not being able to read the dipstick? From people who have had multiple cars and read their dipsticks with no problem? Why not just admit that it's lame, and if people want to buy a better one, then that's okay?

$75 compared to the THOUSANDS spent modifying these cars. Give me a break. If we're going to go that damned cheap, then no one should ever buy anything upgraded, because it's all a waste of money. The basic stereo works, the 15" cheapo wheels work just fine... nothing wrong with any of it. So don't buy anything that they charge extra for. Don't buy premium gas, either. No OCCs, no ceramic brakes... no aftermarket exhaust. If the Craven makes it easier to see and read the oil ACCURATELY... or if the dremel and drill method work for someone... then that is a great use of the money or time. The important this is keeping the oil level full... and if something helps them do that, why the heck do you have a snide attitude about it?
/rant

OOPS sorry... I bought the base model and you bought the JCW... so I guess I shouldn't have spent SEVENTY FIVE DOLLARS to keep my little car healthy. Seriously. I'm a dipstick. So are a lot of other people on this forum... sheesh.

Okay NOW /rant.

 

Here's a photo that I took of the Craven dipstick just now. Of course, the oil is at the right level, so there is only a little gap. But you can see that the top groove is clean and free of oil, as indicated in the red brackets.

And I didn't have to go fishing to get this reading. Pull, wipe, dip, view. You know, as it should be. Quick, accurate, easy to read. In a gas station, at home, on the track, whatever. No guessing.

And this stick won't break off in the channel. It's flexible, and is incredibly easy to remove and replace. The head is machined aluminum, powder coated. It will last the life of the car, and a few more cars too.

Worth it? Darned right.

Guess what? When people see it at MINI events, they want one. Because most people won't admit it if they have problems reading the dipstick. And calling them dipsticks is profoundly unhelpful. It does more harm than good. Checking the oil level in a MINI is an important chore that should be done regularly, it should not be frustrating. Anyone should be able to do it. It doesn't matter how experienced they are. If it isn't part of their routine, then it is bad for the car, and bad for their ownership experience.

$75 versus a new engine. It's that simple. MINI should redesign it, and do it right this time... barring that, then I will be an advocate for people buying or modifying their dipstick.

 

I agree with you JoanieB, we just want to help those that are having a problem reading the dipstick. Why belittle anyone trying to help?

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

My post may have sounded a little harsh, sorry. My point is that the Mini is not the only car that requires a little thought and effort in checking the oil. Take for instance a Porsche. The proper procedure for checking oil is to make sure the car is fully warmed up and running. Then the oil can be checked to show the proper level. If the car is not warm and not running then the oil will not read accurately.

 

k h d, I would totally agree with you, except that people who buy Porsches are generally a bit more car aware. MINIs are marketed and sold to a different demographic. MINI buyers (apart from most people on this forum) are young people, or middle aged women (cough cough) or commuters who want a car with style and good mileage. Those people don't get shown how to read the more-that-usually-difficult dipstick.. in fact, in the long lecture about how to adjust the radio, bluetooth, cruise control, etc... not ONE word about the oil, checking the oil, reading the dipstick, etc. The 2011 manual doesn't even show the RIGHT dipstick. Ask any MINI mechanic.. they will tell you that they regularly see MINIs with **a quart or less of oil in the sump**. A dark brown, useless sludge. One would hope that most Porsche owners don't get themselves into that situation. MINI makes it sound like the car doesn't need anything but gas... they downplay the turbo's oil burning tendencies, they don't make it easy to check... and then when the car self destructs, they blame the owner and refuse to fix it. If they made the oil easy to read, then put a word about it into the long lecture, they would be doing everyone a favor.
The guy who wrote the article for the magazine, on why the dipstick is flawed, is on this forum and in our club. He's an engineer. He wouldn't have written it if it were a good design. Craven wouldn't have spent money on R&D, and sold out those dipsticks at least twice, if there was no demand from 'people in the know'. And if 'people in the know', forum readers, bought the dipsticks out, then how much more useful would they be for the first car buying youngsters, the older ladies, the commuter guys who are tech savvy but not car savvy? Why, if asked about how to read it, do MAs refer people to the SAs, who have to explain it? No, there's no use being dismissive of the problem, or downplaying it. And I hope like heck that MINI reads this forum and does something. HEY MINI-- try elegant and simple, easy to read, and then add it to the lecture of all the fancy jazz that people get told when they take delivery!

 

New to Mini ownership but an auto biz professional - that dipstick is a poor design, plain & simple. I self discovered the multiple plunge & wipe tecnique but then found myself still referring to the manual to be safe. There should be no guessing or eye strain involved in reading a dipstick, especially on an engine that is known to use oil. A flat blade w/ some etching or holes has worked throughout the era of machines that contain an oil sump or similar & the cachet of "innovative" design could have been spent somewhere that people either see it or appreciate it, not largely berate it.

Anyone have a link to the modification thread so I can consider whether to do it or not?

 

The stock dipsticks aren't great. The simple solution would be to have CravenSpeed make a monster Group Buy at $50 shipped

 

bccan,

The following thread has this modification. Look at the posts by BlackIce

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dipstick.html

 

Thanks for posting that byron. I think Black Ice's modification is well done & expect to do the same when I get around to it.

Pull the stick once, easily read it accurately, 6-8 second operation, whoda thunk? Not a BMW or Peugeot engineer!

 

I've spent at or around $5000 upgrading the Dread Pirate and am not through so I obviously have no issue with the cash. My issue is with 49 years of experience and having owned many many cars... MINI screwed the pooch with the gods awful dipstick they put in the 2011 N18's. Holy crap, a bowling pin design with no defined yes/no marks? 1976 Cutlass? Easy to read the oil level. 1991 Eagle Talon TSI AWD? Easy to read. That's just a couple. Craven? They put out an over engineered piece at $75 for what could have been a $20 (with profit) simple old school dip stick? I like the guys at Craven but c'mon. I obviously don't mind spending money t make my car better, but wasting? No. MINI droped the ball on this PoS dipstick.

 

Didnt realize reading dipsticks were this big an issue. I always see these threads but never take to much care in them since I regularly change my oil religiously around 3-4k miles anyways. I track the mini and I change out my oil or top up. Not a big deal.

 

Melangell, here is a sincere question to which I do not know the answer. Why *doesn't* anyone make a plain old flat metal dipstick for the MINI? Is there some aspect of the channel that requires the dipstick to have a non conventional design? Would a flat metal dipstick catch in the channel? Granted that engineers like to justify their pay by redesigning stuff, but if it is as simple as just substituting a flat metal one, why not buy some random generic flat metal dipstick, cut it to size, put a handle on it and sell it?