[MINIsota_Cuke]

I did a search for this but couldn't find an exact answer.

The portion of the VIN number that indicates a MINI has a CVT transmission is the last letter before the final five numbers. On 2002 and some 2003 model years the CVT is represented by the letter E (followed by the last five digits). At some point during the 2003 model year the letter that represents the CVT changed to the letter J. So, some 2003 and all 2004's have the letter J.

Does anyone know at what point during 2003 the VIN changed from the letter E to J?

Did the letter change represent some sort of difference in the transmission?

BTW, all 2002-2004 5-speed Coopers are represented by the letter C and all 2002-2004 6-speed Cooper S are represented by the letter D.

[AprilWhine]

Good question. My 2002 was designated with an E. My MCSCa is designated with a K.

[Tio Barry]

My 2003 (12/2002 build) has the "E".

[MINIAC]

Sorry, but the last letter before the final five numbers of the VIN can't be used to determine transmission type. The are Cooper S models in the UK with the last 7 of VIN as TC#####:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost....5&postcount=28

The following VIN Decoder sometimes gives transimission type and model info:

http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

[MINIsota_Cuke]

[quote=MINIAC]Sorry, but the last letter before the final five numbers of the VIN can't be used to determine transmission type. The are Cooper S models in the UK with the last 7 of VIN as TC#####:


Thanks MINIAC. You're right.
According to the FAQs (which I guess I should have checked first) the last letter is just the beginning of the production sequence.

However, in the US I have been looking at hundreds of Minis for sale on many different websites and I have not found one yet that didn't match what I said in my original post. In fact, in many cases I found CVT transmissions incorrectly labeled in an ad as a 5-speed. I would check the VIN and see the E or the J and I would also verify from a picture that it was indeed the CVT.

A lot of dealerships don't know what to call the CVT in an ad.