The British Motor Company (BMC) introduced the Classic Mini in England in 1959, amidst the fuel shortage caused by Suez Canal crisis. The approximately 10,000 Classic Minis were sold in the United States from 1960 to 1967, before BMC removed the line from the U.S. market. BMC eventually became part of the Rover group, which is owned by BMW. In 2002, BMW introduced the new MINI Cooper, based on the Classic Mini, to the U.S. market. The alignment specs are the same for all trims of the 2010 MINI Cooper, including the convertible, but the same specs do not apply to the MINI Clubman, Countryman or John Cooper Works (JCW).
The caster angle is the measurement of the slope of the steering pivot, with vertical being zero. However, the caster angle is not adjustable on the front end or rear end of the 2010 MINI Cooper because it is a front-wheel-drive vehicle with a fixed rear axle. If the caster is misaligned on either the front or rear, it is more than likely due to a bent or otherwise damaged wheel or axle and will require more extensive repairs.
The camber angle is the measurement of the way that a wheel tilts when viewed from the front or rear of a vehicle. If the top of a wheel tilts inward, the wheel has a negative camber. If the top of a wheel tilts outward, the wheel has a positive camber. For the front end of the 2010 MINI Cooper, the camber angle should be set at -0.5 degrees, but it can range by 0.42 degrees in either direction, with a cross tolerance of 0.5 degrees. For the rear end, the camber angle should be set at -1.75 degrees, but it can range by 0.08 degrees in either direction.
Toe-in is the measurement of the angle of the wheel in relation to the centerline of the vehicle when viewed from the top of the vehicle. Toe-in is given in positive degrees or inches and means that the front of a wheel is angled slightly inward toward the vehicle's centerline. For the front end of the 2010 MINI Cooper, the toe-in should be set at +0.2 degrees, but it can range by 0.07 degrees in either direction, with a cross tolerance of 0.5 degrees. For the rear end, the toe-in should be set at 0.4 degrees, but can range 0.07 degrees in either direction.
