Ted is correct in his description, however the dip sticks in the 2007 hard tops are different than the 2008 and 2009 MINI's. The oil level for the 07's should be between the two balls and the 08 and on just be on the plastic tip above the pointed part.
For some reason after my first oil change my oil level is about an inch higher then when it was delivered new. I too see the book showes that the level should be between the 2 balls on the cable. The dealer used 5 quarts of oil plus a new filter. Mini Mania recomends using 4.4 quarts of synthetic oil with a new filter. I'm confused!!!! The dealer tech says that MINI's use oil and I should be OK.?
We need to have a dip stick that shows what the exact level the oil needs to be!!!!
Well you have to think about expansion and how the range takes into account for hot or cold oil. So if your car is hot and just at the lower ball you may need some more. Also think to when you checked the oil when it was new compared to when you did after the change, was there a difference in oil temp?
I have only heard of the use of synthetic oil in the MINI one of the perks so you only need an oil change about every 15,000 miles. But I may be wrong.