Removing door bolsters on pre-2005 MINI's
 

Has anyone found an easy way to do this without pulling the whole door panel off?

I have some armrest covers from Redline goods that I'd like to install, but I can't seem to pull the armrests off. As best I can tell, the design was changed in the 2005+ MINI's.

Any advice is appreciated.

The armrests on the R53 are a real PIA. They are stuck on with what is essentially double sided tape, and at the bottom by three teeny tiny torx screws. No more than T10, and very possibly T5.
Pulling the panel off doesn't really help, as the surrounds and handle are attached to the card with plastic rivets.
Best I can recommend is pulling from the top, then basically yanking the teeny tiny torx screws through their teeny tiny support holes.

I had a pair of used panels sent to me and one armrest fell off in transit. I ended up just using carpet tape and removing the torx screws - no way I could figure to screw them back in as the armrest is quite close to the back of the door card.

Might want to call Redline and see what they suggest.