How do I put TPMS sensors on my old-school BBS RK wheels?

chrispitude · 12-09-2017, 04:00 PM

Hi all,

A couple months ago, I purchased a 2014 BMW 328d xiT. I have a set of old-school 17x8 et35 BBS RK wheels that have followed me from my E36 M3 to my E90 325xiT to now. The wheel size and offset is perfect for the F31!

chrispitude · 12-09-2017, 04:03 PM

These wheels were made well before TPMS sensors were ever a thing, so they aren't designed for them. Here are some pictures of the inside where the valvestem sits.

chrispitude · 12-09-2017, 04:06 PM

I ordered a set of VDO TPMS sensors (5/2014 build date), but it was clear they weren't going to fit. The body of the sensor hits the shoulders of the recess well before the seal makes contact with the seat.

chrispitude · 12-09-2017, 04:09 PM

My next step was to give Rudy (our Tire Rack forum sponsor) a call. He said that they carried a set of modified VDO sensors that work on some pre-TPMS wheels, so I ordered a set. When I received them, I saw that they had a notched metal washer and a longer base under the seal. Promising!

chrispitude · 12-09-2017, 04:13 PM

About an hour after I dropped the wheels and sensors off at the shop, they called. "Yeah you might want to come over and look at this before we do anything."

The modified sensors did actually allow the seal to just touch down to the wheel surface, but it was just a bit short; tightening the stem collar down pulled the sensor out at an angle from the wheel, and the guys at the shop said that breaking off a sensor would pretty much be a matter of time. So close, yet so far away...

chrispitude · 12-09-2017, 04:18 PM

So I returned the Tire Rack sensors (thanks Rudy!) and wondered if I could strap these in. I've heard of people banding TPMS sensors to pre-TPMS wheels, so I picked up a TPMS strap/cradle kit from Ebay.

That's where I'm at now. The VDO sensors are narrower than the cradles, so the only attachment is the stem and threaded sleeve. I'm not really crazy about that...

Do I have any better options that I've missed?

chrispitude · 05-25-2018, 11:46 AM

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending! I spoke to Garrett at shoptpms dot com, who told me that they carry a 433MHz HUF sensor that can be ordered with bases in a variety of lengths. He had me send some detailed pictures and measurements, then he sent me some specific parts for my application.

And they fit perfectly!

In the third picture below, you can see the cylindrical base; this can be ordered in a variety of lengths (measured in mm) for each application.

(You might notice that the wheels have been powdercoated since my last posts. To make a long story short, I tried to do some DIY curb rash repair and it didn't go well. I don't want to talk about it.)

wdeerfield · 05-25-2018, 09:38 PM

thats a lot of work to fit 17s on an f30. appreciate the time you spent to research your options and fit sensors but i honestly would have upsized to at least an 18 and sold the rks. its basically a saab wheel.

chrispitude · 05-26-2018, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

thats a lot of work to fit 17s on an f30. appreciate the time you spent to research your options and fit sensors but i honestly would have upsized to at least an 18 and sold the rks. its basically a saab wheel.

It's not everyone's cup of tea. The BBS RKs were pretty sought after back in the E36 days. I prefer the retro look, and it rides sooooo nice.

NoahYetter · 05-26-2018, 10:49 AM

I registered just to say how awesome this is, and how useful the information is to me, as I'm also thinking about mounting some vintage wheels on my F30.

chrispitude · 05-26-2018, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoahYetter

I registered just to say how awesome this is, and how useful the information is to me, as I'm also thinking about mounting some vintage wheels on my F30.

Your post made all the pictures and effort to post worthwhile. Thank you!!

steviegx33 · 06-10-2022, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispitude

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending! I spoke to Garrett at shoptpms dot com, who told me that they carry a 433MHz HUF sensor that can be ordered with bases in a variety of lengths. He had me send some detailed pictures and measurements, then he sent me some specific parts for my application.

And they fit perfectly!

In the third picture below, you can see the cylindrical base; this can be ordered in a variety of lengths (measured in mm) for each application.

(You might notice that the wheels have been powdercoated since my last posts. To make a long story short, I tried to do some DIY curb rash repair and it didn't go well. I don't want to talk about it.)

Do you happen to have the model number of the TPMS sensor/adapter you used? I've got the same exact wheels but trying to get rid of the pressure warning, since the OEM TPMS sensors don't fit.

chrispitude · 06-12-2022, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steviegx33

Do you happen to have the model number of the TPMS sensor/adapter you used? I've got the same exact wheels but trying to get rid of the pressure warning, since the OEM TPMS sensors don't fit.

Hi Stevie,

My invoice from shoptpms dot com shows the following:

UVC0027SET - BMW, Mini Huf Intellisense TPMS Sensor Set
HufRDV004K - Huf RDV004 Valve Stem Kit

If you give Garrett a call at 714-692-8767 (if he's still working there), he can make everything super easy for you. It's good to have someone supporting you when trying to get specialty stuff like this figured out.

- Chris

5mall5nail5 · 06-15-2022, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispitude

It's not everyone's cup of tea. The BBS RKs were pretty sought after back in the E36 days. I prefer the retro look, and it rides sooooo nice.

I am an E34 guy and yes, agreed, RKs were so hot back in the day.

12-09-2017, 04:00 PM	#1
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	How do I put TPMS sensors on my old-school BBS RK wheels? Hi all, A couple months ago, I purchased a 2014 BMW 328d xiT. I have a set of old-school 17x8 et35 BBS RK wheels that have followed me from my E36 M3 to my E90 325xiT to now. The wheel size and offset is perfect for the F31! Attached Images
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12-09-2017, 04:03 PM	#2
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	These wheels were made well before TPMS sensors were ever a thing, so they aren't designed for them. Here are some pictures of the inside where the valvestem sits. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2017, 04:06 PM	#3
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	I ordered a set of VDO TPMS sensors (5/2014 build date), but it was clear they weren't going to fit. The body of the sensor hits the shoulders of the recess well before the seal makes contact with the seat. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2017, 04:09 PM	#4
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	My next step was to give Rudy (our Tire Rack forum sponsor) a call. He said that they carried a set of modified VDO sensors that work on some pre-TPMS wheels, so I ordered a set. When I received them, I saw that they had a notched metal washer and a longer base under the seal. Promising! Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2017, 04:13 PM	#5
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	About an hour after I dropped the wheels and sensors off at the shop, they called. "Yeah you might want to come over and look at this before we do anything." The modified sensors did actually allow the seal to just touch down to the wheel surface, but it was just a bit short; tightening the stem collar down pulled the sensor out at an angle from the wheel, and the guys at the shop said that breaking off a sensor would pretty much be a matter of time. So close, yet so far away... Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2017, 04:18 PM	#6
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	So I returned the Tire Rack sensors (thanks Rudy!) and wondered if I could strap these in. I've heard of people banding TPMS sensors to pre-TPMS wheels, so I picked up a TPMS strap/cradle kit from Ebay. That's where I'm at now. The VDO sensors are narrower than the cradles, so the only attachment is the stem and threaded sleeve. I'm not really crazy about that... Do I have any better options that I've missed? Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2018, 11:46 AM	#7
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	Thankfully, this story has a happy ending! I spoke to Garrett at shoptpms dot com, who told me that they carry a 433MHz HUF sensor that can be ordered with bases in a variety of lengths. He had me send some detailed pictures and measurements, then he sent me some specific parts for my application. And they fit perfectly! In the third picture below, you can see the cylindrical base; this can be ordered in a variety of lengths (measured in mm) for each application. (You might notice that the wheels have been powdercoated since my last posts. To make a long story short, I tried to do some DIY curb rash repair and it didn't go well. I don't want to talk about it.) Attached Images
	Appreciate 1 Ennoch2257.00 Quote

05-25-2018, 09:38 PM	#8
wdeerfield A family of bimmers 2747 Rep 7,742 Posts Drives: '18 G01 X3M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Clifton Park, NY iTrader: (0)	thats a lot of work to fit 17s on an f30. appreciate the time you spent to research your options and fit sensors but i honestly would have upsized to at least an 18 and sold the rks. its basically a saab wheel. __________________ 2018 PB/Black G01 X3M40i \| 699M \| ZDA \| ZPP \| ZPX \| Maxton front lip \| X3M vents \| 15mm Spacers \| Diamond G20 style grills
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05-26-2018, 10:49 AM	#10
NoahYetter Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Sport Line Join Date: May 2018 Location: Lakewood, CO iTrader: (0)	I registered just to say how awesome this is, and how useful the information is to me, as I'm also thinking about mounting some vintage wheels on my F30.
	Appreciate 0 Quote