One problem related to manual transmission column shift has been reported for the 2002 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Mini Cooper based on all problems reported for the 2002 Cooper.
2002 Mini Cooper with <55,000 miles (same owner) the shift cable detached from the transmission shift linkage while I attempted to change gears. Gear changes are no longer possible and the transmission remains in the last gear selected! prior to this -but within the last 6 months, all the window motors died simultaneously, the fan belt would not shut off, the engine continually overheated (despite repeated service by BMW), the horn fuse would not shut off (until it blew), and the transmition is slowly dying. 1) the fan belt would not turn off -continuously, draining the battery. 2) timing belt was replaced 3) the transmission is going 4) the power windows.