Welcome!

My first suspicion is that you may have a connection problem somewhere... most likely at the starter itself. If you were able to get the old starter to function by whacking it, that sounds like a bad connection. If a new starter also refuses to function, it looks as if the same problem exists. Make sure the connections to the starter are clean and tight. It may be as simple as a connector not pushed fully in or a weak connection of a wire to a connector. Use a multi-meter to see if all connectors are in good condiion. Check also that your engine is properly grounded - I don't know about your car, but many cars have a bare woven or braided copper ground wire that does corrode over time, gets weak and fails to propely ground the engine. Even insulated ground wires corrode or get loose.

Ignore Triggerboy's irrelevant comments about another New MINI Cooper owner's problems. That's just him acting like a troll again. If you do visit the forum he mentions (which is a good on apparently) if I were you, I wouldn't mention Triggerboy's name there. His reputation here is of a troll and of someone who is an expert in his own mind, but repeatedly proves otherwise.

Hi welcome aboard!!  I hope you are not our resident student from Australia trying to disguise, before you spend money on your 2004 Mini ($3000 to be exact) try to visit the NorthAmerican Mini forum, they specializes in new bmw mini from year 2000 and up. Tell them that i sent you there. And they'll help you right away. I am a silent member of that forum too.  Good luck and Again,, Welcome!!

Hello all, would appreciate your help with my mini's issue. I got a new alternator, new belt, new battery and a new starter. It will not start, luckely it happened in my driveway. I was able to hit the old starter with a hammer and got it started long enough to get it into my garage on ramps. Replaced the starter on Saturday thinking that was the issue and it still will not start. I turn the key everything lights up like normal and turn the key all the way thru and nothing no clicking. I have checked all the fuses and they are all good from what I can see, I am not a mechanic, but I was able to replace the alternator and starter myself with help from YouTube. I would appreciate any input you have to sove this issue.

Thank you.