An even cheaper solution is to simply wait until your oil is so dirty that it's black and shows up well against the yellow plastic tip of the dipstick. On second thought maybe the paper towels is better.
A very simple solution I urge every one to try at least once is this. Pull dipstick, wipe, reinsert but not all the way. Push it in until the bottom of the yellow plastic handle touches the top of the tube. Remove it and its very easy to read. Just remember to add 1/2 an inch.
I haven't had any problems with checking the oil with the stock dipstick, but I read complaints about it all the time. I check my oil cold, with the car on a level surface and always get consistent, accurate readings.
Cravenspeed has dipsticks for both series one and series two MINIs that people think is much better than stock, but it is kind of expensive, in my opinion.
I read that filing the dipstick flat on two sides makes it easier to read.
All you need is a paper towel & the right technique. Pull the stick wipe it off, reinsert, pull again & lay it down on the paper towel. The witness mark you left with the oil is the level. Imagine how many paper towels you could buy for $75. Although you will not have that so cool red handle to show off to friends & family. :smilewinkgrin:
I save on the paper towels. Usually I check my oil on weekends, in conjunction with yardwork. I use my finger instead of the towel and wipe off on sweaty shorts before showering! Honestly, you need to be really low or really high on the stick to mess up. Pump suction is at the bootom of the sump, and the crank recieves just as much splash at half a quart low.
Crashton is right, however. Two dipstick pulls with the second pull on a white towel laying down as soon as you pull it.
2010 R56 in which I changed oil for the first time. Previous changes were done by MINI in accordance with 3 year service.
Now I understand why the dipstick was always so hard to read. The dealer overfilled so the level was above the top of the red plastic and I could never determine the level as shown on the steel shaft.
When I refilled, I put in less than 4 quarts and it was easy to see on the red plastic (or whatever it is). As I added more oil there was no difficulty in reading the level as it read a bit higher with each addition of oil. Now it's at the top, but not overfilled.
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