I'm trying to replace the wiper motor on my '05 MCS, I have all of the bolts out of the cowl, but the passengers side doesn't want to move. Are the side scuttle panel bolts (way back behind the scuttle side markers) needing to come out? The Bentley manual didn't say anything about the 4 crews under the window seal that hold the A pillar trim on, or the two on the end of the lower windshield trim dammit (now broken). I can get the cowl to start moving upward, but as I said, the passenger's side doesn't seem to want to go. I loosened the nut on the driver's side that's way back by the door hinge behind the scuttle, but hoses are keeping me from accessing the passengers side.
The whole thing seems to need to move forward and then up to clear the windshield, and it won't go there without scratching the snot out of everything including the hood.
Suggestions? Experience?
TIA,

 

My TIS manual is scant on details but does show (presumably) all the fasteners. It should be symmetrical left/right.

 

I finally got it. There are a pair of flange nuts deep down by the door hinges that hold the cowl (it is shown in the above diagram), the scuttle and the door trim in alignment. I used a 1/4 drive ratchet with a pair of 6" extensions to get down to them, along with a good helping of finger pressure to get the socket on. Don't pull the nut off as the two panels are slotted, pull the fender (scuttle) outward to free up the cowl panel. The black molded bits that the cowl and the fender screw into don't like to let the cowl go, a bit of reasonable force helps it let go.
Also be aware that on the passenger's side, the two nuts under the fresh air vents have two more behind the plastic panel that covers the firewall, they're holding the slotted tabs on the cowl down.
The wiper motor is held in with one 10mm headed bolt by each wiper and a nut that requires a 13mm way down the firewall I lifted the nut out with a magnet after getting the last bit loose by hand. How I'm going to get it started again is anyone's guess.
I didn't totally remove the cowl-that seems to require pulling the bonnet, I used one of my nylon trim levers to hold it up as far as possible while pulling the wiper assembly.
Not an easy job,
Hopefully it will go back together easier once I get the 13mm nut in place.
Thanks for the diagram MrBean!

 

Thanks folks.
I've been putting off removing my windshield cowl in hopes to repair 2wo small dimple size dents I caused by trying to pop up a stubborn wiper arm via/use of a body rivet removal tool. They are the only dents to be found on my 21 y/o Mini.
The information you've provided really helps.
Thanks!

 

Here2go- do pay attention to those A pillar screws and the two on the ends of the lower windshield trim, they're all hidden deeply behind the rubber seal under the A pillar trim.