do they sell aftermarket dipsticks for a 07 MCS. I have a hard time reading the dipstick because it sucks so bad. And i need to always check because Mini's are known for burning oil quite fast

 

Press the stick on a paper towel then read the towel.

 

 

Understand exactly how you feel. Really frustrated with this darned dipstick. I also try my best to get a reading using paper.

 

yea i called mini and they told me they got new dipsticks that you can actually read but i feel i shouldnt have to pay for that

 

Did you happen to get a part number for the new dip stick?

Thanks!
~MattS

 

Well....Don't worry on the next car they will omit the dipstick like they have on the BMW's then you will have no problem not being able to read the dipstick.

 

My wifes Porsche Boxster is like that, no dipstick at all!! Kinda freaks me out. I personally want some sort of reference that isn't electronic.

 

Really, no dipstick...so do you just get the low oil pressure indicator when that moment arrives, or have they added some type of sensor for detecting actual oil level in the crankcase?

 

Porsches have had oil level gauges for years and years, since at least the early 1970s 911. The Box has some sort of oil level gauge; not sure if it's a separate dial or if it's combined into something else.

The old 911s have oil level on one half of a gauge and I think fuel level on the other half.

 

All the 911's I've had (3 from the mid 80's) and the 928 all had a dipstick - the '88 911 did have the on dash gage as well though. The Boxster just has a bar graph gage that only appears when the key is turned on, before you start the engine - it doesn't display while the engine is running.

It would be a shame if they added such a crappy gimick to the Mini.

 

My newer work trucks ( mitsubishi-fuso cab overs ) have both manual dip sticks and the electronic dip sticks. You get used to them after a while - we use the electronic dip stick to check the oil level every morning before we let anyone start the trucks and then once a week we actually tilt the cabs and manually check all the fluids by hand ( just in case ). We have had the trucks since 2006 and so far no dip stick failures -- knock on wood....

In my opinion it would be an easy way for the less skilled people to check their oil level every day and maybe avoid some of these "random" engine failures.... just my .02

 

True, the 911s do have a dipstick. But those were supposed to be checked only with the engine at idle, so it makes some sense to have a powered gauge that shows the readout. I'm not sure about the Box, it doesn't have exactly the same dry-sump oil system.

I'm pretty sure the MINI is meant to be checked with the engine off, so I agree the gauge doesn't make as much sense. Though Coyote has a point about people who don't bother checking the dipstick paying more attention to a gauge.

I'm hoping that Fenimore has an actual dipstick. And hoping that it will be easier to read than we've seen pics of.

 

Good tip right there.

 

I'd like to know that part # too...

 

me too

 

This is a helpful suggestion, but am I the only one who thinks it's absolutely crazy that this suggestion is even necessary? Car manufacturers have been making dipsticks that can be read without the added technology of a paper towel for 100 years! Maybe it's all about the ride, but the oil is important to the ride too.

 

dont feel bad, the dipstick on my rx8 is the same way, near impossible to read.

 

Lmao, I figured this out when I first got the Mini without referencing any forums....and I'm female!

 

Here's one:

http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=61385

 

Isn't part of the problem with reading oil dipstick is that the synthetic oil is more transparent/less colorful than normal oil, so harder to see it? I've discovered that the best time to see the oil is when the car is cold, IME.

 

+1, also much easier to read when the oil has a couple thousand miles on it and has picked up a bit of coloration.

 

The E9x M3 has a sensor (no real dipstick). Which sucks unfortunately. It's resolution is 0.25quarts. It makes DIY oil change quite an adventure. IIRC, it requires ~9quarts of oil (10w60 btw, very expensive).

So you put 8 quarters, and go from there... Well first you need to start the car, drive around, warm it up and then come back to garage, park, keep the car in idle while it takes a reading (which takes couple minutes). The car will then tell you to add a quart.. So if you don't know that the resolution is 0.25quarts and add 1 quart you're doomed because you may overfill.. You add 0.25 quarts, drive around again, come park, take a reading while the car is idling..... It usually takes 2-3 readings to get it "right"..

 

Update: I checked with my local Mini dealer and was told that the part number hasn't changed, nor been revised. Not sure what the deal is...

For me the easiest time to read after an oil change is after it has set for a while. and as others have stated, much easier to read after it is "dirty".

~MattS

 

Says "not available" on their website...sigh