My Story

It all started with my first Mini: the notorious but endlessly fun R56S! Back in March 2022, I was looking for a practical yet exciting daily driver to get me to the gym and handle errands. As someone already passionate about cars, I wanted something that wasn’t just functional but also fun. After years of bantering with friends and colleagues who swore by Minis, I took the plunge and bought one from someone who, at 6’2”, decided the only issue with it was he simply didn’t fit.

I did my homework before buying it, knowing Minis require proper care and maintenance, and I was ready to handle the dreaded timing chain issue and a suspected oil leak. But what started as a minor project turned into a major overhaul: timing belt, rocker cover housing, oil pump, water pump, clutch, flywheel, expansion tank, thermostat housing, and more. Along the way, I caught the Mini bug in a big way.

From there, the personalisation began. I added 18” wheels from a spontaneous eBay find, Eibach Pro Sport Springs, a resonator delete, custom stripes, a JCW-style carbon fiber rear wing, Alcantara steering wheel, AEM air intake, and a whole host of other tweaks that made my Mini uniquely mine. This car became the inspiration behind the Clear View Mini Dipstick.

While pouring my heart into this car, I learned first hand how critical it is to keep the R56 engine properly maintained—especially when it comes to oil levels. Minis, particularly the R56 models, are notorious for being hard to maintain due to the OEM dipstick design, which makes oil readings unclear and inconsistent. Knowing I wasn’t going to let my beloved Mini become just another parts car, I set out to solve this problem. Through some research and the help of industry contacts, I designed and manufactured a dipstick that delivers clear, accurate oil readings every time.

What started with a single eBay sale quickly took off. Today, Clear View Mini Dipstick is helping Mini owners across the globe care for their cars with confidence. We’ve partnered with incredible stockists like Way Motor Works in the US and Canada, KillAllChrome, and Lohen in the UK. We’re also available on Amazon, and our customers span nearly every continent. To date (as of January 23rd), we’ve sold over 570 dipsticks, and that number continues to grow daily.

Our mission is simple: to save as many Minis as possible. Since owning mine, I’ve met an incredible community of fellow Mini enthusiasts, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

To all the Mini owners out there: thank you for your support and for being part of this journey.

Cheers,
Bobby
Founder of Clear View Mini Dipstick