rkw-If your insurance company decides to fix your MINI & I hope they do, make sure you get a new clutch while the transmission is out. +1 on the skid plate. My MINI wears one & after reading what happened to your MINI I'm glad to have one.
Status update: My car was transferred from the dealer to their affiliated body shop, which has estimated the repair at $5100. I probably won't hear from my insurance until tomorrow.
Update My insurance approved the transmission replacement (did not total the car). Repairs are done and I picked it up this morning. Nice to have it back and be out of the rental. Also, my front end had been making some odd noises for awhile and they said the right front axle needed replacement (I had them do it, not covered by insurance). Thanks for the support, and again special thanks to Crashton!
coooool, nice tohear you got it fixed! , I'll try it: dear Mr insurrance. My gearbox blew, I need $6000 to replace the factory straight cut gears and LSD.