I want to replace rhe stock dipstick for all the reasons we know, but...

I'm having a hard time spending nearly $70 for Craven.

Are there other options? I've seen some arrond that was quiite -- perhaps too -- flexible to where I wonder if you might get a false reading.

I am NOT primarily concerned about readability (I can use the paper towel method to remedy that). I am more concerned about having one that will not snap off and trash the oil pump or worse.

Thanks.

 

OT:
I'm afraid I can't help with alternatives. I'm just curious as to why you want to replace the stock dipstick. What are these "all the reasons we know" that I don't know about?
AFAIK, readability is the only issue some people complain about. If that is not your concern (nor is it mine, btw), then what could possibly be it? The stock dipstick is well made, of high quality materials and proven.

 

The Craven one is great. Slides in and out effortlessly.

 

There are quite incidents out there where the plastic tip deteriorates and breaks off, with the debris getting caught in the oil pump.

 

Some people have had the stock one snap in the middle somewhere and had a hell of a time getting it out. If it snaps right by the top, you might be able to grab it with pliers, but if it snaps mid tube, good luck.

 

I've only found reports of dipsticks of 1st generation Minis snapping, none referring to the 2nd generation. Do you (@SkipII, @chrunck) have any links to reports about the 2nd generation Minis?

 

If you are not concerned with readability, keep the OEM dip stick. If you are worried about it getting fatigued and breaking, get a new OEM dip stick.

 

I bought this one:


It did need to be trimmed. Just remove the set screw at the top, measure using your stock dipstick, cut with side cutters or other similar tool, reinsert and reinstall the set screw. Takes less than 5 minutes.

 

The carven speed stick is hard to read. Had one, removed it and stuck the stock one back in.

 

Oh, who can say? I bought it ten years ago and it seemed like a good idea at the time

 

Heh, I think you may be the first person who's ever found the stock dipstick easier to read. This ain't my first rodeo working on cars and it's the worst dipstick I've ever seen.

On my car the Craven has been much easier to read consistently. I can tell immediately when it drops below full.

 

I too had issues reading the CS dip stick. I couldn't tell any difference between trying to read the CS vs the stock, so I went back to stock.

 

With the Craven dipstick: pull it out, wipe it off, reinsert, and then pull it back out. Ignore the wide part at the top, just look at the thin measurement section with the notches. If that's all oil-covered it's full. If it's low the top few notches won't have oil in them.

I think the confusion is that people see oil on the wider part above the markings or on the spring and think that's the oil level. It isn't, that's just oil that got picked up from the tube. The top bulb on the stock dipstick does this too (only worse) which is one reason the stock dipstick is so hard to read.

Note that all dipsticks are a lot harder to read when the oil is fresh. Once it gets a bit darker it's always easier.

 

Replaced mine with stock due to tip missing. I’m pretty sure it was that way when I picked up the mini.

 

I had the same problem.... till I bead-blasted the tip... then you have good contrast of oil vs. stick when reading.

With the 'spiral spring' of the Craven having the open structure... I was concerned with any blast-media getting into the oil... so I bagged it and taped it only leaving the tip exposed...which has no voids to hold the media... and cleaned it well before unwrapping.


I've done this on most metal dipsicks for years now.... and it makes a big difference.



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