Hey guys,
So I ordered a few things from Outmotoring.com, which normally their great. I ordered a dipstick replacement for my '03 R50 (which when arrived was about a mile longer than the stock dipstick), and a CV shaft assembly for the passenger side.

While I was taking apart the car I noticed that the new CV shaft assembly looked a little different and was a little longer than the shaft I had pulled out. I also tried to remove the intermediate shafts bearing holder (which has 3 13mm bolts attached to the engine) and I could not do it. I'm wondering if A) Outmotoring sent me the wrong shaft (specified 03 R50 Manual trans), B) This shaft is meant for a different year mini non s or C) I'm a dummy and I need help. Ill attach some pictures to illustrate my problem.

I simply cannot remove the bearing carrier for the life of me. It seems to have 2 metal tabs that I cannot get past on the outside of the bearing. Help!!!

 

Those two orders were mistaken by Outmotoring and they got me an RMA number and paid to ship it back. I also got a refund and a partial refund for my shipping. I counted the splines on both shafts and the one I received from OM was for an S and i believe it had apprx 34 splines while the non S had apprx 24.

 

If I recall right there are 2 different cv joints for the 5speed r50...
The number of splines on the midlands and the getrag 5 speed used in facelift r50's (2005+) are different....
Good to hear outmotoring handled it so well. Still sucks...but at least they are paying shipping!!