SOLVED.........R53 2006.
symptoms as above.
Dash lights up.
Have a spare starter but would prefer to eliminate other issues before swapping.
Battery good. Started my other mini.
Found no voltage at positive terminal in engine bay! What would limit this?
fuses all ok.
Just a click on start.
100amp fuse in boot at battery is fine
Cheers

 

Check the big main fuse on the battery. Did you do any work recently and maybe not reconnect a big ground strap?

 

Battery fuse in boot is fine.
no work done.
I don't think the starter power goes through that fuse.

 

This is going to sound weird, but I encourage you to try it. It will only take a couple minutes.

Disconnect the ground strap on the passenger side motor mount. Even if it's like new, go ahead and hit it with a wire brush and reinstall. Then try to start car.

I fought with a starter for over a week. Same issues. Finally tried this as suggested by other Mini owners and it worked!

 

The thickest wire from the battery connection system (not fused) runs directly to the starter/engine bay..

It inserts into the battery terminal are which is covered by black plastic. It worked it's way loose ,. Just seems to be push in?
Just poor.connecrion

 

If you mean the battery connection. Under the black plastic at the battery terminal is sliding back and forth, there is a good chance the 3xplsive charge went off amd that’s why it is loose. Take the plastic off, drill a hol3 thru the concentric conn3 tron and insert a sheet metal screw to keep them together. Assuming it didn’t click back into place.