true. at this point, really don't have a choice but to get it replaced. either their nickel, or mine.

 

Interesting that Cravenspeed's website actually lists two different part #s - one for 02-06 & another 07-08...whereas OutMotoring & Moss both list the Cravenspeed model as a virtual one-size-fits-all?!? I'm about to buy my third on my 04 MCS (both OEM & this last is about to break again). I also experience the hump bend that I assume eventually breaks the thing. Cravenspeed says they have a lifetime gurantee "under normal use"...Wonder what that means "in the fine print"? Anybody tried to collect on that guarantee?...

 

Not sure what constitutes abnormal use. Using your dipstick as an eating utensal? For flogging? Sexual Toy?

Cravenspeed is normally pretty good about honoring their warranty .

 

Better performed by those of us w/ skull & crossbones on the roof: !

 

Myabe this is why BMW intends to not have dipsticks in any of their cars by 2011. This is already evident in the 3 series--nope, no dipstick. read it and weep.

 

Digital Dipstick?

Some of the newer Porsches don't have dipsticks, you check the oil through the OBC .

 

Yes, the new BWM's also check through the computer. The 135 is like that.

 

update - dealership replaced mine. warranty, no out of pocket cost. (it was cracked, not snapped off).

 

Dipstick broke on me too about a month ago when I went on vacation. When I took it to get my oil changed (not at mini, i would have to drive 2 hours to get to a Mini dealer), I just played cute and he got it out for me for free. He used a parts grabber to get it. :( Haven't replaced it yet...

 

Oof... Let me join the chorus. I checked the oil today while filling up and notice the dip stick is cracked almost all the way through ~ 6 inches down. I gently put it back in but I figure I have one more "pull" left before it snaps in half completely. At least I hope there's one more...

I'm about to order the Craven Speed piece unless anyone here knows of another source for a more durable, metal stick.

Still, what genius thought a nylon/plastic dipstick in a tube that's had to remove from the block was a good idea? It wouldn't be an issue on some cars I've owned where it's readily accessable but this one doesn't look like fun at all if I have to pull the tube...

 

man, no way would I have put that cracked dipstick back in there! Good luck with that last pull...

 

I just received my Craven dipstick. I hated the way the old one looked. I pulled out the OEM to "install" the new one. A 3-4" section of outer black plastic coating came off the dipstick a few inches up from the bottom end. After reading this thread I guess I'm lucky it is only a bit of plastic covering instead of the whole thing breaking off. We tryed a grabber and got some of it, but, not all. We figured the other pieces of plastic would be stopped at the filter and not be a problem - right??? Of course I had my oil changed less than a month ago so I rather not pay to do it again right now. The one good part is that the Craven dipstick was in my hand to replace the original. What luck!

 

Is the alumimum handle of the Craven dipstick too hot to touch when the engine is hot?

 

Yes! The handle does get hot. As I recall, reading the oil level on a hot engine will not give you the correct measure though.

 

...just ordered the Cravenspeed dip stick (plus some other parts I couldn't live without!) from the fabulous guys at Custom Mini Shop.

You know, not everyone ships to us guys stationed over here in Europe but these guys go out of their way to help...and I've never had better service. Most of the time the stuff I order is here in less than a week. Pretty amazing since most orders for pretty much anything from the 'States take 4-6 weeks.

Everyone I've met over here in the European MINI community has had the same incredible business experience with these guys...and no I'm not getting paid to say this, just appreciative of their exceptional customer service.

Thanks again Steve and Brad!

 

Sometimes I check the oil level after a 15 minutes breaks during long trips. It is usually enough time for most of the oil to get back to the pan. The engine is still hot, I am not looking for accurate measure, just want to make sure the car still has adequate oil.

Without ever seeing the Craven dipstick in person, my concern is the hot/cold metal surface of the handle, and it may be slippery if I am using a towel or wearing a oily glove.

The design of the OEM dipstick handle is good, I like the big finger hole that make it easy to pull out and the non-conductive material. Its shortfall is the material for stick. The real problem is the twist and turn path it takes in the engine.

My dispstick broke yesterday. Luckily the fibers around the core are still attached so I can pull the stick out.

 

got the order from CMS on Monday! I can't figure out how they get their stuff here so quickly...they must get on a Lufthansa flight and drop the order off at out post office!

However they do it they're a real life line for us over here "on the continent" and teh dip stick went in w/out a hitch. The stock piece was on its last legs...cracked all teh way around w/a lot of "brooming" of the nylon fibers. Wish I would have replaced the stock piece ages ago...I was kind of surprised to see that the Craven Speed piece has a plastic "stick" as well... We'll see how it holds up.

I also ordered new plug wires/iridium plugs and the "stumble" my car had at low rpms (between 1-3K under moderate/heavy load) is gone. Like buttah now!