The 98 MPI dash is slightly different to your SPI dash Alan, SRS light and adjustable leveling headlights and maybe even an alarm light if it is a UK car.

I am sure you are aware that the UK dashes will not work in the Jap spec a/c cars.

Unscrew the two outer air vents and remove them. There are two straps that fasten to the bottom shelf with 10mm nuts underneath the shelf, remove them. Remove the stereo there is a 10mm nut that holds the dash on the top side of the bottom shelf remove it. Push all the straps (3) loose and pull the dash towards you remove the wiring connector on the rear of the gauges and the speedometer cable. You should now be able to see the three nuts (13mm) i think that secure the top pad to the top rail. The middle stud is sometimes too long to pull loose without cutting it shorter or removing the windshield. Sometimes there is enough wiggle room to remove the top pad once the dash is removed.

Need help. Mini classic 1998-How to remove the top & bottom part of walnut dashboard? Anyone can help? Is possible please explained step by step & provide some video. Tried to search from YouTube but got the walnut dasboard video. Already removed the 3 hexagon nuts from the top part, can moved but still stuck. It's need to remove the windscreen with rubber as well. For the bottom part totally no idea how to remove it. Really appreciate if someone can help. thanks