It is the second OEM dipstick which is broken again on my daughter's R53. Of course, I can get another OEM one, but are there any good alternatives? Hopefully made of metal wire, rather than whatever they used for the OEM one.

 

I bought this one... It seems well made, it fits the motor perfectly but to be honest I haven't started the car since, it has a blown head gasket and I have other projects at the moment. Hoping others will comment.

 

After my original OEM broke, 10 years ago; I also replaced mine with an OEM looking stainless steel coiled spring version I found on eBay(?).
Similar to what @slofut posted above.

 

Thanks for the link! I got a factory type from Amazon 1 year ago, and the shaft is already starting to splinter.

 

Craven Speed - $67. I am on my second OE one in 20 years. I’ll upgrade to the Craven Speed one next time.

 

im running the cravenspeed one. It was actually one of the first things I did to the r53, I ran one one my R55s and already used to reading them, and after reading a couple horror stories about them breaking, figured id just change it before it broke.

 

2d one of which type ... the OEM or the one linked up above?

 

OE = Original Equipment. I agree the Cravenspeed is nice and maybe a safer bet. My cheap one, while it looks well made and is plugging the hole, goes in and out very smoothly and really I don't expect any problems with it, my intentions are to tig a spot weld on the tip for insurance later when I start back to work on the car. But I think it's fine really, I was actually surprised at the apparent quality. But if you don't mind the few extra bucks get the Cravenspeed for insurance.

 

On my 2004, I've been using this one for years with no issues:

 

Yes - OE - original equipment- mini part.

 

That's what she said.

 

 

I still have my original 22 year old dip stick in one piece. Do I win some kind of award?

 

I purchased the Cravenspeed "slinky" stick for my R53 but actually prefer the OEM version, so have switched back to that. My suspicion is that its heat cycles over many miles that embrittles the OEM fiberglass. If so, mine seems unlikely to fail anytime soon. Perhaps WMW's "Clear View" dipstick would be better, however not offered for 1st Gen engines. Instead, this one similar to OEM but instead with a metal shaft looks like a good alternative: WMW's Cooper S Metal Dipstick R52 R53

 

The golden dipstick award, perhaps?

Yes!
​​​​​​WMW's metal dipstick is the one I'd purchased from him 10 years ago. Thanks for the link @MCS4FUN . I had forgotten where I got it from.

 

Dorman makes an OEM equivalent except that it's metal.


https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-74835-917-315.aspx

 

For bravery?
Mine was fine until I read a thread on here about dipsticks breaking. Decided I'd just go check my oil for the hell of it and pulled out 90 percent broken dipstick! Talk about karma! I took the bottom end off and put the top back to plug the hole until I got a new dipstick.

 

I believe most (if not all) Dorman products are Chinesium. No bias against that brand generally (I'm using Dorman M12 extended length lug nuts), however despite being metal, if the joint connection breaks between metal stick and top/bottom sections, pretty much same end result as with the OEM. Obviously, online retailers such as WMW and other forum sponsoring vendors don't manufacture parts such as these themselves, thus aftermarket sourced. I see that Dorman version on Amazon for just $20, yet both look same in ad pics. I'm curious whether there are stamped markings indicating indicating the actual manufacturer. I'm unlikely to resume usage of the C-Speed slinky but still tempted to replace the OEM, depending on quality and long-term reliability - much more than ease of reading oil level.

 

I don't think there's a lot of stress on the joints at the top and bottom. Don't the OEM ones break in the middle? Also, the dipstick will fray before it gives up. You shouldn't be surprised if/when a dipstick breaks

 

I was about to buy one, most Mini enthusiast vendors are selling them for ~$40. Rockauto sells it for $10. That's an incredible markup.

Edit: just bought it, $23 with shipping. I'll let you guys know how good it is when it arrives

 

We offer a direct replacement for the Gen 1 MINI also as our Gen 2 is the most popular, but the Gen 1 we also have a stainless replacement for.
https://waymotorworks.com/cooper-s-m...stick-r52-r53/

 

Im really liking that one👍

 

how do I know if I have stock or upgraded? they look similar. except for the CS one

 

The original factory dipstick is black in color made of flexible fiberglass. The upgraded version from Way Motor Works is made via stainless steel coiled spring (just like the CS version), but retains the traditional OEM style yellow "pull handle"...which is nice for those purists that prefer the OEM look with that added benefit of an unbreakable metal dipstick.

 

^^^ IMO, still would be helpful to know whether WMW's is actually the Dorman part. My concern with this version is; while a stranded stainless steel "stick", the bulb and pull-handle are dip-molded to that. Just as with the OEM embrittling over time, so can those molded "joints" - not the most reliable attachment method, IMO. If either end disconnects, that part remains "down the tube" (so to speak ). Regardless of online retail price and/or country of origin, I'd prefer knowing the actual manufacturer has a good track record producing parts to OEM (or better) spec. Dorman is an old name brand which originated in USA, before outsourcing to Asia. Hopefully, still achieves OEM specs at affordable pricing...