I am somewhat new to the mini's and I am looking at purchasing a 2009 JCW.
I drove it and 5th gear does not work. The dealer said they were going to replace the transmission. How do I know if they replaced it with a JCW gear box and not just a base MINI?

 

Probably the best and easiest way is to ask them to verify with you in person that the part number for the transmission they are using matches what is found in an 09 JCW, check RealOEM for the part number. Is this a mini dealer?

 

This is a independent specialty car dealer.
Do you know where the part number is located?

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=23_1049

RealOEM is a website you can use to look up part numbers for our cars. This page should give you the correct part number 23007587620

 

Is there a physical difference I can see if it's up on a rack? Or maybe the part number is stamped on a tag attached to it. I really want to buy the car, but I'm afraid there just going to put any rebuilt back in.

 

The individual gears for 1st thru 6th are the same on the S and the JCW. The difference is in the final drive ratio. The final drive ratio on the JCW is lower so if your turning 3000 rpm at 70 mph your good to go. Anything less and its time to ask questions. In addition changing out the transmissions would require reprogramming of the KOMBI for your speedo to read correctly.

 

Find out where they are getting the gearbox. And get a copy of the invoice for any warranty. If they are getting a used gearbox have them get the vin of the car the used one is coming from. Proper junk yards mark the trans so you can verify where it came from so you will know if it is right by checking that vin.