I have a 2005 MCS that I need to replace the starter on. It's lived in CT all its life so as one would imagine the exhaust system is rusted to the point where I don't think I will be able to get header unbolted from the head per the usual procedure for this job.

Has anyone ever pulled the starter without having to pull the header? I had the exhaust heat shield removed and the starter heat shield unbolted a few nights ago and it looks doable. I am just looking for some confirmation before I order the part and attempt to do it that way.

 

I'm not sure if you found the answer to this but while I didn't replace the starter on my 2003 Mini, I did remove it to pull the transmission for a rebuild. It's pretty tight removing the heat shield but it can be done with just a little bending and some contortions. Then the starter can be removed pretty easily. You have to feel your way around the back-side but it comes out pretty easily.

I note that you have an MCS but I'm think the starter and the exhaust header are the same. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong!!)