[bavarianx]

We have received a lot of questions from F30 owners about changing their TPMS sensors and if they are compatible with the earlier E90,E91,E92, and E92 versions.

BMW made a part number change in 09/09 for the 3 series from OE #36236781847 (HUF #RDE008) to a newer version #36106790054 (HUF #RDE012) until the end of the E9X chassis.

The new F30 chassis uses a 433MHz sensor with OE#36106798872 which will not work with any of the previous versions.

Here are some reference pics earliest to latest..

36236781847


36106790054


36106798872

[m3 guy]

Thanks for the info

[onehungevo]

FYI....you can transfer your stock TPMS to new rims without a problem.

[bavarianx]

Originally Posted by onehungevo

FYI....you can transfer your stock TPMS to new rims without a problem.

Yes you can, however it is recommended that you replace the service kit (rubber seal) when you do so there is no chance of leaks.

[tiltmode43]

Did not know this! Almost swapped in a set of '11MY TPMS to come aftermarket wheels thinking the later version would be F30 compatible - saved me a headache Bavarianx, thanks!

[martinf79]

Are TPMS sensors needed in Canada? Have been told that BMW cars in Canada do not use TPMS sensors. Can you confirm for the F30?

[bavarianx]

Originally Posted by martinf79

Are TPMS sensors needed in Canada? Have been told that BMW cars in Canada do not use TPMS sensors. Can you confirm for the F30?

E9X chassis it was NOT, however the F30 may start coming standard with them. Best bet is to ask your dealer if your vehicle has them via VIN look up.

[rswbmw]

I have 328 Sport with standard 18in package and have the FTM system. Measures rotation not pressure of the tire. Not sure about M Sport.

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by rswbmw

I have 328 Sport with standard 18in package and have the FTM system. Measures rotation not pressure of the tire. Not sure about M Sport.

Thanks - that gives me some reassurance that it will likely be the same for the M Sport for Canada

[Yobyot]

I have a MY12 F30 335i that's arriving next week and I've begun investigating winter wheels and tires for it.

Tire Rack offered me a -1 (225/50R17) package of some fugly wheels, Michelin RFT snow plus TPMS sensors, mounting balancing and shipping for about $1700.

A guy in the BMWCCA is selling a set of four style 189 OEM 18" wheels plus some shoddy non-RFT snows for $500.

So, it's a toss up between buying the OEM wheels and fitting them with trustworthy tires (and optionally new TPMS sensors) versus buying the Tire Rack package.

Does anyone know what happens in the F30 if there aren't TPMS sensors in the wheels? If I buy non-RFT tires for the OEM wheels, I am not sure I need TPMS sensors because I could instantly tell if a tire is flat (and I'm manic about checking tire pressure at least monthly).

What do you think?

[tiltmode43]

Originally Posted by Yobyot

I have a MY12 F30 335i that's arriving next week and I've begun investigating winter wheels and tires for it.

Tire Rack offered me a -1 (225/50R17) package of some fugly wheels, Michelin RFT snow plus TPMS sensors, mounting balancing and shipping for about $1700.

A guy in the BMWCCA is selling a set of four style 189 OEM 18" wheels plus some shoddy non-RFT snows for $500.

So, it's a toss up between buying the OEM wheels and fitting them with trustworthy tires (and optionally new TPMS sensors) versus buying the Tire Rack package.

Does anyone know what happens in the F30 if there aren't TPMS sensors in the wheels? If I buy non-RFT tires for the OEM wheels, I am not sure I need TPMS sensors because I could instantly tell if a tire is flat (and I'm manic about checking tire pressure at least monthly).

What do you think?

I would guess that a TPMS light will come on in the dash, but nothing more. I haven't heard of a car that is equipped with TPMS and by removing the TPMS, causes any sort of real problems. Never hurts to confirm though!

Let's hear it from someone who has put wheels on with no TPMS

[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by tiltmode43

I would guess that a TPMS light will come on in the dash, but nothing more. I haven't heard of a car that is equipped with TPMS and by removing the TPMS, causes any sort of real problems. Never hurts to confirm though!

Let's hear it from someone who has put wheels on with no TPMS

Yeah, I suspected the light would be on. But would it stop there? For example, if you have BMW Assist (and I do), would this "check condition" cause it to call the dealer, as it's supposed to do when a malfunction is noted?

Worse -- and more speculatively -- would it cause the safety systems like ABS and DTC to change behaviors?

These cars are heavily digital. The wheels are there just to keep the computers from scraping the road. I doubt anyone really knows what the impact of no TPMSs would be in the car.

Still, it would be crazy, wouldn't it, to engineer a car so that something else failed if the TPMS sensors failed or were not present.

Maybe I can code the car to turn off a TPMS warning.

[328inGE]

where is the best/cheapest place to get new TPMS for the F30?

[cardnation]

Originally Posted by 328inGE

where is the best/cheapest place to get new TPMS for the F30?

I really like these guys (http://www.thebmwpartstore.com/), they are great to work with and super responsive.

[bavarianx]

Originally Posted by Yobyot

Yeah, I suspected the light would be on. But would it stop there? For example, if you have BMW Assist (and I do), would this "check condition" cause it to call the dealer, as it's supposed to do when a malfunction is noted?

Worse -- and more speculatively -- would it cause the safety systems like ABS and DTC to change behaviors?

These cars are heavily digital. The wheels are there just to keep the computers from scraping the road. I doubt anyone really knows what the impact of no TPMSs would be in the car.

Still, it would be crazy, wouldn't it, to engineer a car so that something else failed if the TPMS sensors failed or were not present.

Maybe I can code the car to turn off a TPMS warning.

On the E9X, if the system was run for long enough without TPMS the function would be locked in the warning position, in other words if you tried to add TPMS it would not register and needed to be re-flashed by the dealer to work again.

Originally Posted by 328inGE

where is the best/cheapest place to get new TPMS for the F30?

check our site, we have them with the valves included.

[brian99997]

Am I missing something about TPMS in these cars? I can't seem to find where it reads the actual pressure that I am used to seeing in other cars.

If they just say low, why bother at all?

[bavarianx]

Originally Posted by brian99997

Am I missing something about TPMS in these cars? I can't seem to find where it reads the actual pressure that I am used to seeing in other cars.

If they just say low, why bother at all?

The sensors transmit the actual psi, but BMW decided not to include it in the interface with the driver...

[brian99997]

hmm.. is there anything that reads them then? I wouldn't use the sensor data as a bible but the sensors in my P car were always quite close to what a quality hand held gauge would read

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by brian99997

hmm.. is there anything that reads them then? I wouldn't use the sensor data as a bible but the sensors in my P car were always quite close to what a quality hand held gauge would read

Search for a "coding" post by a member named "svache".
He has great information about items that can be coded.
Actual tire psi readout is available by coding.

I'm planning on doing it.
It's surprising that BMW didn't just include this as standard, considering it's already available within the system code. It just needs to be turned on. Odd.

[vegadonovan]

Hello RPM90, have you tried it yet? I am also thinking of doing it but wondering if it's just about getting the sensors in the tires and then coding it.

=)

[ocso1606]

Originally Posted by Yobyot

I have a MY12 F30 335i that's arriving next week and I've begun investigating winter wheels and tires for it.

Tire Rack offered me a -1 (225/50R17) package of some fugly wheels, Michelin RFT snow plus TPMS sensors, mounting balancing and shipping for about $1700.

A guy in the BMWCCA is selling a set of four style 189 OEM 18" wheels plus some shoddy non-RFT snows for $500.

So, it's a toss up between buying the OEM wheels and fitting them with trustworthy tires (and optionally new TPMS sensors) versus buying the Tire Rack package.

Does anyone know what happens in the F30 if there aren't TPMS sensors in the wheels? If I buy non-RFT tires for the OEM wheels, I am not sure I need TPMS sensors because I could instantly tell if a tire is flat (and I'm manic about checking tire pressure at least monthly).

What do you think?

Hope this still on topic.
I fail to understand the logic of not using TPMs. They are a safety feature - why make your car LESS safe?
They are not only for "lazy" people, who never check their tire pressure - they will warn you ahead of time that you will be getting a flat (even more important if you are not using runflats). Yes, "ahead of time", may only be 1-second or less, but that gives you time to reduce speed and prepare for what may happen (loss of control)....this has happened to me - I hope you never have to use any safety features in your car, but you'll be damn happy they are there when you do need them.

[IMAPE]

Originally Posted by ocso1606

Hope this still on topic.
I fail to understand the logic of not using TPMs. They are a safety feature - why make your car LESS safe?
They are not only for people, who never check their tire pressure - they will warn you ahead of time that you will be getting a flat (even more important if you are not using runflats). Yes, "ahead of time", may only be 1-second or less, but that gives you time to reduce speed and prepare for what may happen (loss of control)....this has happened to me - I hope you never have to use any safety features in your car, but you'll be damn happy they are there when you do need them.

+1