After several different posts trying to figure out why my front wipers stopped working after turning them on with a bit of snow on the windshield a toasted front motor turned out to be the problem. I purchased a used wiper motor including the arm mechanism under the cowl from http://www.mazdarecycling.com/ following the suggestion of a NAM member. The part cost $75 plus $25 for 3 day shipping. When I ordered the motor they told me it could be one or two days before it shipped then three days for shipping from CA to Maine. I ordered it on a Wednesday and it was on my front doorstep, covered in snow on Friday. Along with a friend it took about 4 hours to install it the next day. Wish I had taken pics though I could probably take some pics now and show how it had to be replaced. I must say that the Bentley manual was extremely disappointing in the instructions of how to replace the motor. The manual missed needed steps completely, gave wrong information about how to remove parts and overlooked specifics throughout the process. Maybe when it warms up I will get out my digital camera and take some pics of how it is done properly.

Really no special tools are needed and with patience and directions it is a pretty easy repair. In simple terms and without pictures here is the process from memory.

Remove the wipers.
Remove the plastic bezels from the cowl.
Remove the plastic cowl grilles.
Remove the plastic trim pieces on the side of the windshield.(I learned the hard way that there are 5 screws that hold the back edge to the car)
Remove the trim pieces under the windshield(careful of the two screws accessed via opening the doors.
Remove the side repeaters.
Remove the bolts that hold the cowl to the car. These include:
-two that are under the side windshield trim pieces,
-two that hold down the lip of the cowl,
-two accessed through the drivers cowl grille,
-two accessed through the passenger grille that hold a plastic piece in place,
-one that holds the plastic piece on under the passenger cowl grille then two more that hold the cowl on,
-one under the drivers side repeater
-two under the passenger side repeater(one bolt that holds the windshield washer bottle on)
-one on each side that is accessed via the repeater holes that holds the side panel and cowl on

I couldn't find an easy way to lift the cowl off without damaging it and in fact I cause a few scratches trying. I ended up using masking tape to try to protect the paint then left the cowl propped up and I replaced the motor while it was propped up. Only three bolts hold the wiper mechanism on. The motor is mounted to the inner wiper arms and came together. One bolt on each end and one in the middle, connect the electrical connection, test and reassemble in the opposite order.

Any questions or clarifications?

Incidentally, I called Mini of Peabody and the SA was helpful and ultimately helped me make my decision to buy the used motor. The SA helped me diagnose the problem and told me the part would cost $150 and be about 2-3 hours labor at a cost of $105 per hour. The potential cost and distance away from the dealer helped me decide to tackle the task myself.

Many thanks to the NAM members who took the time to answer my questions, make suggestions and provide the used parts link.