I have luck with just scotch briting the plastic part around,( not up and down) , then degreasing

 

Thanks, very easy and simple fix!

 

I check my level at a gas station as my driveway at home is steep. I can wipe the dipstick off and insert it five times and never get the same reading. It looks like it should be the best dipstick ever but it is terrible. Horrible. I don’t want to modify mine as I’m afraid of bits breaking off and ending up in the oil pan.

Peter

PS, If those issues are not bad enough, I just replaced my timing chain and lost three hours removing it because the dipstick goes through the timing chain guide rail. Go figure.

 

Brilliant!

 

While I can read the OEM dipstick, clearly it was designed by... dipsticks! I just cannot believe they actually tested it. It's just plain awful.

The only thing I question about what you have done is could it possibly weaken that bulb thus making it more prone to breaking? And then the broken bits get sucked up the oil collector pipe (shudder)

I ended up going with a KillAllChrome flat bladed steel dipstick with hatching that is, quite frankly, wonderful and how the OEM dipstick should be (shame on BMW). It was probably the best $33 I've ever spent, now I can see my oil level at a simple glance. Should add I'm not affiliated nor paid by KillAllChrome, just love simple, efficient, robust, accurate and easy to use designs. Which quite honestly given more than a hundred years of automotive history surely should be achievable by bmw for something as simple as a dipstick

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Here is the new Clearview Dipstick much easier to read and use. And not overpriced at $90 like many other aftermarket
https://waymotorworks.com/clear-view...7-r58-r59-r60/

 

My version

Scotch Brite and circular grooves

Final result after the first dunk in

Actual reading

PS: Yes, I know I am due for an oil change

 

I think there another new dipstick but I cant locate the thread. I got the jazzy spring version with the holes in the metal end but I find it difficult to read.

Is there a newer dip stick?

Peter