My stock oil dipstick is on its last leg. What is the best one to get that will actually last and read correctly?

I have heard CravenSpeed quite often - and searching dipstick brings a million results (with no clue as to what page the results hit on). Of the ones I have read, it seems there was/is a debate between a flat metal one and a CravenSpeed.

Any help is appreciated.

 

I have the Craven in our Countryman, better than stock but I wish I had an old fashioned flat metal dipstick.

Our other cars are dipstickless, a new word I think.

 

I have the cravenspeed and here are my observations. Would have no hesitation recommending it over the OEM dipstick.

Pros
- High quality construction
- Very easy to read, the holes in the dipstick make gauging your oil level effortless

Cons
- I don't like the flexible/spring like design, but understand thats to make up for the OEM dipstick fault where it constantly snapped
- Theres a small oil leak coming from the dipstick itself. Not sure if the o-rings on the dipstick (<1k miles on the product) are faulty. Not a big deal though, leak is very small and not enough to be of concern.

 

I have a Cravenspeed for my '03 S and it is well made. However, the spring design is such that it reads full when not- I compared it to the full mark on my original dipstick. If you file a small indentation into the readout section where the full mark should actually be that shortcoming could be corrected. I've just been too lazy to do it!

 

Interesting... just wanted to get some more detail on this. The cravenspeed has a few holes that are see through, then the last holes are where the spring mechanism starts. Are you saying that the full line is actually above the last hole that is on the spring mechanism? Has this been confirmed by filling the mini with less than the required amount of oil then reading the cravenspeed afterwards?

 

Fearing a broken dipstick in the oil pan or half of it in the oil tube, I purchased the Cravenspeed dipstick. A bit spendy but far less expensive than dropping the oil pan or removing the front end to access the oil tube. As far as it reads to the oem dipstick, I made a mental note on the Craven vs the full mark on the oem full marking. To read the oil level, I hold it up to a light and notice where the oil droops the furthest level at the top end of the dipstick. Sofar so good after three years, no problems or worries. PS- no leaks on the o rings and the quality is superb.

 

I am contrariant. I still have the original dipstick. I admit it is difficult to use and can break in the wrong hands. It tends to break because of the difficult R53 engine compartment packaging which the dipstick has to contort to snake thru the multi-bent tube. From what I read the inaccuracy of overpriced aftermarket "improved" design, I will rather replace the "crap" plastic OE stick than a overpriced unbreakable one which the accuracy is questionable.

Mine shows little to no stress as I have always been very gentle with it since day 1 to let it twist naturally when inserting or removing it.

 

I have this OE-like dipstick on my Amazon wishlist like forever. Under $8 as opposed to $74.95 unbreakable one.




I might buy it as a spare when the price drops to $4.99.

 

I still have my original. I can see how it could break as most people would probably use their right hand to pull at it and it bends against the tube. I use my left hand and pull it straight out, that way, there's no binding.

 

I twist the handle may be 30 degrees to break the tight bind of the rubber o-rings first, before try pulling it out. As it slides out of the tube, I let it rotate where it naturally wants to. Same when inserting. Gentle does it.

 

When I bought my r53, the dipstick handle was broken. I replaced it with this exact one. I haven't had any issues. If I ever do, I'll replace it again with the same thing. They were the exact same length so I haven't had any accuracy issues.

 

pmanliu- My Cravenspeed has no holes, just several indentations that go all the way around the circumference of the readout section. I think the Gen 1 sticks are different than what you have.

 

https://www.cravenspeed.com/mini-dip...e1504209263382

If you look, the Gen1 stick has what looks like holes at the bottom. Maybe they are a newer design?

 

We should count our blessing that the Mini has a dipstick.

I hate the new cars that are all dumbed down to accommodate the clueless and negligent owners - no dipstick. Another source of things to go wrong, and with engine lubrication is the last thing I want to rely on more complexity.

My Porsche has no dipstick and you should read all the negative reaction of the owners. Changing oil on these cars are a royal PITA.

 

There is this one for a replacement for under 8$ and then the metal one from Dorman. 11437509784

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/11437509784/


Yes, the new MINIs dont even have a dipstick.

 

For a large segment of the driving public, checking oil is more likely to happen electronically than via dipstick. The only real negative is that the MINI system doesn't prompt you to check so it probably doesn't get checked very often.

Wait till the driver less cars start honking at you to move out of the way, then you will really have something to rant about.

 

Replaced mine with this one from Amazon as well.

 

I found that the CravenSpeed dipstick overreads also. Found a metal dipstick like the OEM one only metal made by META. Only place I've seem them are on ebay, sold in the UK. Not near as expensive as the C.S. one.

 

Interesting. My dipstick definitely looks like the gen1 from cravenspeed. I recall reading they redesigned it sometime. Perhaps it may be worth reaching out to see if you can get the latest version?

 

I was thinking the same thing! I'd rather have the latest, hopefully improved, version.

 

I bought this metal one off ebay last year

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-MINI-Coo.../162569615642?

Measures fine and is almost half the price of the Craven one. Only issue I had was the 2 o-rings were really tight making it hard to pull it out so I just took one of them off.

 

That's the same one and seller I bought from. You're right about it being a tight fit. I just greased'er up a little bit. Quite happy with it.

 

Good find however ECS sells the OEM one for $26, not $74.95. Like you said above, I'd rather stick with the OEM one. Our original one is doing just fine since new. I have always been careful with it.

 

For $74.95 I was referring to the Cravenspeed unbreakable one.

 

I picked up the Cravenspeed. Adds a nice little touch of red.