Our maintenance manual sorta addresses it. Any level between the bottom and the top of the "yellow" plastic thingy is an indication that your Mini has enough oil. You'll definately want to add oil if the oil level is at the bottom of the stick. A quart of oil will raise the level from the bottom to the top of the plastic section if I remember correctly. Someone jump in and correct me if I'm wrong. My maintenance manual is in the car or I'd check. I also seem to remember that the illustration is not an exact replica of the dipstick in my Mini.

 

After checking the oil just a few times, the bottom "O" ring on the dipstick broke. Fortunately it didn't fall into the dipstick hole. It fell somewhere outside of the engine ... never to be seen again.

 

That is the same one I got from Moss a few years ago, and for quite a bit less as they were clearancing it. After about a year, it broke. I suspect that had something to do with it going on clearance.

 

So, I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing this. About a month ago, I discovered that my oil dipstick was broken, so I went up to the dealership and replaced it. Now, I just picked up my car today after some service and noticed on the paperwork that they had to replace a broken dipstick!! So, it seems my MINI is eating dipsticks! What the heck is making them break so easily? Especially considering, they haven't been removed from the car more than once or twice.... and the last one was only removed once!!

 

No, not stupid at all. Mine is a total mystery. (2006 MCSC) Not only does it in NO WAY match either of the dipstick tips depicted in the owner's manual, but it has no clear markings as to what is minimum and what is maximum! PLUS the short range of dotted bumps mine has wicks the oil so that the precise level is also a mystery.... and the yellow/orange plastic tip is just short enough that it's totally un-obvious if the dots represent the minimum range or the entire capacity

I have a great MINI with a totally clueless dipstick

(So I make the dealer check and verify the oil level, they are luckily for me only 10 minutes away)

 

on my 03, i can clearly see the oil level on the dipstick after the
oil's been in use for a few thousand miles.

when it nears the bottom of the dipstick i would add 1/2 quart...
hasn't consumed any though since last Feb. im going to change the
oil in a few weeks. got my filter from outmotoring.com

 

yeah I remember checking the oil in my 03, and even my 05 and not being 'stumped'

but this one is useless , and $75 for the aftermarket dipsticks?? ack!

 

You guys may or may not have missed a group buy on an aftermarket dip stick. Go here to see more: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=88725

 

Has anyone tried this dip stick? What's your opinion? Is it worth the 75.00+ price?

ChrisO

 

Christo,
people have tried it. Here is a link for a recent discussion within NAM. There are photos, too.

If you buy it right, it isn't $75. See link in post above.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ghlight=dipper

 

I got that Moss MINI dipstick and after it was installed, it broke the first time the oil was checked. I was glad I still had the OEM dipstick. Works fine on my '03 MCS.

 

one way to check, when the oil is new/clear, is to lay the bottom of the stick on a piece of tissue paper or paper towel. That will show the length of the oil on the stick.. FWIW...