After missing the driveway ramp when backing up, the front end of the car hit the sidewalk. There was a leak at the front of the driver side wheel well.

This is not the first time my partner misses the driveway ramp, so I have "some" experience getting to the reservoir. I removed the wheel and liner. Then I removed the light connectors (side marker, parking light and fog light), tilted the reservoir, remove what it looks like a sensor on the left, then remove BOTH pumps (two) by tilting from the reservoir and pulling gently.

I checked the reservoir, there were no cracks. I installed everything back and so far no leaks.

I think the reservoir flexed with the impact, pushing one or both pumps out of place, they're hold by a grommet only. If this happen to you, check it first. The price of the reservoir online is about 90+shipping, and you may not need it.

 

Good tip! Is it the same procedure on the R53? Mine seems to be empty all the time and while I don't see any fluid leaking, I am having a hard time believing we go through fluid that fast.

 

I don't think is the same procedure. My R50 has the reservoir between the wheel well and the passenger door. I assume R53 will be similar to R50. Countryman's reservoir is below the front light, righ behind the fog light. My R50 has been reliable for the most part. I had to rethread spark #2, I now have an issue with the glove box, but after 10 years and almost 100K miles, still a good car.

 

The reservoir is fairly small on the R53 in comparison if you got the cold weather package on your R60. The cold weather package includes heated windshield washers and has a much larger capacity (~5x larger IIRC). I had to refill pretty often in our R50/R53s, but not very often in our R55/R60 with heated washers.