From what I understand, the rear camber is NOT adjustable by any means in stock form, correct? I am installing some coilovers this weekend and wondering if its even worth taking for alignment before I get the adjustable LCA's. I will be setting at max height the coil allows for now and going lower once I get the LCA's.

 

there is some adjustment in the stock arms. not much its still unlikely youll be able to get in spec with the coilovers at max, but that's speaking from an r53... even at the max setting its still a 1 inch drop, r60 might be different. im preety sure the stock arms should work with lowering springs, so hopefully the max height for the coilovers will be reasonable

 

There are multiple facets to answer that question.

1. Whether you can get back to spec is dependent upon how much lower you go. There are cam washers at the wheel end of the lower control arms. They offer about 1/4" of movement up/down/in/out. I suspect that will equate to maybe one degree of camber, but can't be sure.

2. If you are going more than an inch lower, your chances of getting back to factory camber are slim without replacement control arms.

3. Keep in mind that your rear camber is somewhat dependent on your front camber. If you go lower than 1" drop in the front, you won't likely be able to get back to stock camber without camber plates. The rear camber would then be adjusted in relationship to the front camber. There is a lot of rear camber on the R60 to resolve stability issues you would have with a more typical camber alignment. So, the rear camber has to be set in relationship to the front camper, unless you like an odd driving car.

4. Per a conversation with a local Mini specialist garage, "some" extra camber front/rear won't hurt anything, as long as they are set accordingly per #3 above. Tire wear is more affected by castor and toe, than camber. There is obviously a limit to that. If you refer to you alignment as "stance" it's probably too much camber. :D

5. I have mine sitting 2" lower than stock with no camber plates up front, and adjustable LCA's in the back. I took a guess when installing and made the LCA's between 1/8" and 1/4" shorter than stock, and set the strut towers as far outboard as possible. I have not gotten it aligned yet, as I'm waiting for a set of wheels/tires to be installed to make sure I don't want to go lower/higher. Visually, it doesn't look different than before. The handling doesn't seem out of whack, but does seem a little more responsive. Turn in seems more immediate. When I get near limits the rear tires make noises before the front ones do, which should mean that there is less understeer than before. Admittedly, though, the responsiveness could just be from the coilovers being far superior to the stock struts.

 

Oh, an BTW, don't even think about taking it a regualr alignment shop if you have LCA's/Camber plates. Take it to a mini/german car specialist (not a dealsership) if you have one in your area, or at least to a good performance shop.

 

yeah a normal wheel and tire shop would work, tell them you want -1 deg camber front, -1.5 rear. caster at factory, and rear toe slightly in to 0. whereas front toe slightly out

 

Some places won't do anything but stock spec, is all. Also, they'll stick to the tolerance range, like -1 degree +/-.2 degrees, potentially leaving -1.2 on one side and -.8 on the other. A performance shop will (should) try to get it on the money, or at least have them as close to equal as possible.

Don't forget to ask for the alignment print out.

 

Thanks for all the info! I am going to have the LCAs shortly and will just go as low as I planned to do on the first shot. MY father-in-law runs a shop and is willing to set alignment at any spec I'd like. Not looking for anything in particular, this is a daily but I do throw it in the corners when possible.

 

Excuse my usual list of dumb questions in here. But, 2012 countryman here, I have a thread going about mine having a date with a curb on the front passenger wheel
link here
But my question regarding this thread...camber, is it possible to adjust on this car?
I notice the top 3 bolts for the strut-I loosened one to see under nut, the slot appears to have some adjustment/side to side, so is that for camber on this car? like a real slight adjustment? if so, how can I pivot the wheel?