Hello all,
I guess this is as good a place as any to start.
I own an 05 Mini Cooper S and had some door opening issues. A quick Google search led me to your forum and from there i learned the problem is pretty common. So i removed the door panel, tried adjusting the keeper closest to the latch and re routed the cable to take up the slack.
This is where it gets interesting.. The door unlatched just fine from the inside and i was feeling good that i'de made some progress. Until i locked the door. Now the door is locked and i can't unlock it or get inside the door because the panel is attached.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated,

 

Does the passenger side unlock if you use the button on the fob? If not, you may be in trouble...

 

If it is like the BMW counterpart there is an answer, years ago I had a man who had a BMW with electronic locks who had a dead battery, there was no way to get to the battery by opening the hood because the doors wouldnt open for me to pop it. I called BMW and the man said to take the key to the passenger door and wiggle it back and forth in the lock and the **** would slowly come up, sure enough it did. Try it with your car and see it it slowly comes up its worth a shot.

 

working backwards...thanks but there's no manual release on the passenger side. Using the lock release inside will operate the solenoid ( at least i can hear something unlatching) but the door handle is still locked, from either side and oc course the door is shut.

 

I've got a feeling there is a recess the end of the cable (closest to the latch) holder fits into? and if it's not in there the door will not open from the outside. Comments? Suggestions? Possible links?

 

And your hatch doesn't open either? Sounds like you have the most secure MINI around.

 

Ok I'm in. Took passenger side seat out to gain access to the door panel. Still had to be a contortionist to get my arm far enough back to unlatch the door but I got it. As far as the original prob. was concerned I drilled a short self tapping screw into the door frame to take up the slackened cable. This should do for now and I'll get the dealer to get a new cable in to replace it when it happens again. Tx again.