One problem related to starter has been reported for the 2002 Mini Cooper S. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Mini Cooper S based on all problems reported for the 2002 Cooper S.
Significant and repeated electrical failures caused the car to randomly switch into eml mode, reducing engine output critically. When this happened on a highway there was not enough power to remove the car from the road safely. After several ineffectual repairs, the wiring harness was replaced. Shortly after the repair, the car was parked, emergency brake set, manual transmission set in first gear. Unattended, turned off with no key in the ignition, the car moved itself several feet, hitting another car, burning out the starter and draining the battery. The car was moved to a repair shop where the starter was replaced. Overnight, with the car parking inside the locked shop, the car moved itself across the shop. Mechanics are now investigating the problem.