Well I upgraded my suspension this past weekend... Koni SS (yellows), H-Sport springs & Comp RSB. I also bought some IE control arms but didn't put them on. I haven't got the full 1" drop yet... maybe I will after they settle a bit. Anyway I measured the rear camber to be about -2 deg. so I thought I'd try the OEM adjustment to get back to the -1.5 I had before the install. It looks like there is about +/- 1 deg of adjustment here because I used 25% of the range and got 1/2 deg. (it was centered to start with). It was a snap to do as well. Just put the rear on stands and loosen the bolt on the outside LCR. I turned the cam nut about a 1/8th turn and tightened the bolt back up. After a little test drive I re-measured and gained the 1/2 deg I wanted.

Current Settings:
Front Camber: -0.5 degrees
Front Toe: 0
Rear Camber: -1.5 degrees
Rear Toe: ?
Koni Setting: 1/2 range F/R
RSB: Soft

These settings feel great for spirited street driving, better than it did with shocks at full soft.

 

As you know, I just got the same combo Koni Yellows/H-Sports and I LOVE IT!!

The car has not even been aligned yet and it rides so much better than stock in my opinion. I only have the Koni's set on medium stiffness and the handling is just crazy better than stock. I can't wait to get new tires, get it aligned with my H-Sport control arms, and maybe add a rear sway!

 

Toe settings? Within Stock specs front and rear?

Enjoy.

 

I don't have a reliable way to measure toe yet. I figure, since I have the camber at OEM settings, the toe is probably close.

 

Whenever you lower your car (H-sport springs) you wil affect both camber and toe on front and rears.

Just because camber is where you want it doesn't mean that toe is within factory specs. You have to measure and adjust.

Otherwise you can affect handling and tire wear on each corner.

Lowering doesn't change front camber- usually it runs about -0.5 degrees but depending on your MINI the rear camber is usually increased to about -2.0 or more negative. You can adjust to the stock range of -1.0 to -2.0 degrees.

Probably it's a good idea to check and adjust toe settings front and rear.

Doesn't really sound like you need the adjustable rear lower control arms except for looks or to loose some weight. You can always sell them.

For your toe settings-
You can do use stock settings for smoothness and comfort but they will not be as aggressive for improved handling. The tradeoff is a little more tire wear due to front toe being out slightly.

For street use and some improved handling consider-
Front toe 1/16" out
Rear toe zero
Should be fine.

 

I was able to make some good measurements of the front toe the other day, looks very close to zero. I'll get to the rear this weekend.

 

Zero toe front and rear will also work. I've done it.

Stock settings are toe in for front and rear normally. This allows for understeer and stable handling for street driving and normal drivers.

More toe out (which is what zero toe is) is good for faster turn in response. You can max out front toe at 1/16 to 1/8" toe out and still do ok on the street but you will start to wear your tires a bit beyond that setting.

Rear toe can be zero and be fine. Want more straight line stability go a little toe in. Don't go toe out in the rear (too much wear on your tires).