I am taking the headliner out and I just want to loosen the pillars and not take them down or off. Do I just pull straight towards me if I am facing it?
2004 Mini.
Also if you've done this job did you find disconnecting the wires from the dome light fixture difficult? For me its proving difficult partially because I am trying to avoid breaking anything.

 

I've replaced/recovered my headliner a little more than a year ago. I have an '04 R53 with a sunroof. I didnt have to loosen or remove a single pillar cover in order to pull the headliner. Before you assume having to loosen or remove ANY pillars in order to pull the headliner substrate; First remove all the extraneous interior parts mounted to the headliner: eg: sunvisors, rearview mirror, sunroof trim, grab handles etc. Gently flex the upper edge of the pillar covers while gently pulling the edge of the headliner from away to free them from captivity of the pillar. If you do have a sunroof you can ever so carefully pull from the center to flex it downward a bit in aide to assist in maneuvering the headliner out from the pillar(s). I don't recall having difficulties removing the overhead/dome light.
my apologies if this reply sounds redundant. I am posting from my mobile phone and suck at doing so.

Best of luck!

 

I remember you posting about not having to touch the pillars some years back. Did you use any tools to be d the headliner back?
Does it matter what spot you started to pull the headliner away?
Will go back to the garage to try and pull the connectors apart, might haveto use forceps.

 

The connector to the dome was starting to break around the edges.
I realized that I don't have to disconnect the dome light as it will fit sideways through the opening.
I got the headliner out but sure sounded crispy as I was pulling it away from the pillars.
I sure hope I don't have any issue putting it back without marking it up trying to get it back behind the pillars.
Any tip you can recommend on reinstalling without marking/scarring it up?

 

Hey - I'm glad you figured out the dome light issue. For the life of me I still couldn't remember if I had trouble (or even removed it)
The "crunchiness"/ crispy sound you probably heard was that old glue and waste material it was pressed formed at the factory, giving off a rheumatoidal sigh of agony from being up there so long.
Although I am all for recycling - but boy, talk about going on the cheap?!!
If you happened to fracture it while removing it (I was lucky and didn't), you can reinforce the weakened area from the backside with some epoxy and mesh material (fiberglass) or other conventional household Elmer's wood glue or Mod Podge and some old fabric material in a pinch.
I mention this; because you may have to slightly bow or flex the headliner again when reinstalling back in an effort to clear the pillars and guide it into place/behind each pillar one side at a time. I only had to use my fingers = removal and re-install.
I don't recall having to use any tools. Although it's always nice to have a varied set of plastic spudgers/trim removal tools on hand.
Regardless of what kind of fabric you used, the only advice I can offer is to go easy and be mindful.
Most people I've read, who had re-done their headliners hadn't mentioned any damage done to their headliners when reinstalling/wedging back behind the pillars.
I think you'll be ok.