Discovered an easy-way to remove the lower dash panel on my 2006 R53. 1st- remove side dash access panel on (left) driver-side between door & dash , then use a flashlight to see the metal retaining clip with (silver ) pin . 2nd - spray WD-40 or equivalent on pin and push a jewelers screwdriver between retaking clip & pin to release top of panel and gently pulling on right-side next to steering column. Note: that all the videos and blogs on Mini websites want you to put your hand next to the steering column & pull to the left on this plastic panel , therefore my method avoids any damage…

 

A little late for me, but -Thanks for that!
Every video or instructional that I saw stated the same - "just give it a good pull. It won't brake." - Yeah, right.
The 3rd time I had to remove it - the pivot collar/hinge snapped/broke.
Forget gluing it back together - i.e: Epoxy, JB etc... I broke out my trusty soldering iron and few bits of Polypropylene and welded it back together. Finished off/blended and honed it smooth again with a Dremel.
Worked perfect. I've removed it at least 5ive times since then and it seems stronger than original factory.

I plan on using your prescribed method from now on...Just to be safe.

 

Sorry that happened ,when I tried pulling on the lower panel , it would have certainly broke if I continued.