Wondering if anyone has any creative solutions. I know the cables have come undone in my drivers side door - and I know how to fix this. My quandary is getting the door panel off so I CAN fix it. The door is in a shut position. Has anyone shimmied their door panel off from this angle before? Any tips on how to do this?

 

AHA!

So plugged my brain in and called Mini. If anyone else ever has this problem, this is the fix:

roll the window all the way down
the chrome trim on the outside of the door can be removed - pull straight up.
Look on the inside of the window, using a hook tool, fish down and catch the door latch (its apparently gold)

Then you can open the door, pop off the door panel, and drive yourself nuts fixing a ridiculous locking mechanism.

 

Just a heads up - this isn't a hard fix. But beware if the cable to the outer door handle becomes disengaged. It can screw up the ability to open the door from the outside.

*grumble* stupid vandals that kicked off my handle a few months ago.... (but they did get caught and are getting prosecuted - HA)