....It's been awhile since I have posted a question on this Forum but I need my memory jogged or help in understanding the way the wheels look on the Bull dog Mini rear end........I was in for my 30,000 mile service at Orlando Mini in Orlando, Fl in September 2010...They told me I was in need of a wheel alignment as it would only get worse over time...It was $99 added to my bill for a 4 wheel alignment....I now have 34,582 miles or approx 4,582 on the alignment....I had installed a new set of Pirelli run flats on the car at approx 28,500 miles.....

While showing the car and tires to a friend, he asked why was the rear tires wider at the bottom (pushed out more) when looking at the back of the mini ...I said that was the bull dog stance on the mini.....He says all tires are suppose to be straight up & down and we checked the car manual and the front tires from center of left wheel to center of right wheel is suppose to measure 57.4 inches and the rear left center to right center is suppose to be 57.7 inches. The front measured right but the rear measured approx 58 1/4 inches. There is no excessive wear on the rear or front tires but the rear tires turn out at bottom (where tire meets road) .....My question... is this normal or is the alignment out on the rear? or maybe it was never aligned at the dealership?!....Any expertise or experience with this would be appreciated

 

What I think you are asking is whether negative camber on the rear is normal.

 

....Not being a tech or even a shade tree mechanic, that might be what i am asking... .....Is negative camber on the rear normal?.....and would the measurements I gave be correct for the negative camber?....The rear wheels turning out slightly be normal?...or as you suggest negative camber?....

Just trying to understand that everything is okay with the wheels slightly turning out or do I need to take it back and have the dealer re-check the alignment?........

Thanks for the help JAB 67

 

Yep. Normal. I've got an '06 JCW cabriolet and the rears are angled noticably. And they're in spec. And I don't have weird tire wear either. I believe there's a bit of negative camber in the front, as well, but it's hard to notice it.