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      12-16-2018, 04:13 PM   #1
col303
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Can TPMS sensors be tested? Do these wheels even have them?

I have just put on a set of used 400M winter wheels that I bought. My car is a 2014 F31 and the wheels also came from a 2014 car as far as I know. They were sold to me as having TPMS sensors but the car will not reset and eventually says failure. During the first drive the reset did go to 49% then fail. A couple more times it would start to climb then fail. They don't seem to be doing anything now and it sits at 0% till the failure message comes up.

The valve stems are black rubber and I wasn't really aware of the differences with metal valve stems at the time I bought the wheels so I'm wondering if the wheels have sensors at all or if it is an incompatible kind.

Are there likely to be sensors on the wheels if it started trying to reset then failed or would it do that anyway if there were no sensors fitted. I didn't think there was anything else I needed to do before attempting the reset with different wheels.

Can tyre fitting places check for a signal from the wheels before I go to the expense of getting new sensors?

Thanks!
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      12-16-2018, 04:30 PM   #2
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I'm not sure if 2014 cars had them fitted as standard?

Also I recall when getting a set there were options for pre and post 2015 cars so maybe there is some difference if fitted?

I don't think the valve stems are a good guide as whilst mine are metal the x-trail I have from enterprise has TPMS and rubber valve stems.

I would also say that as a battery powered device there must have a lifespan of some kind...
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      12-16-2018, 04:42 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by col303 View Post
I have just put on a set of used 400M winter wheels that I bought. My car is a 2014 F31 and the wheels also came from a 2014 car as far as I know. They were sold to me as having TPMS sensors but the car will not reset and eventually says failure. During the first drive the reset did go to 49% then fail. A couple more times it would start to climb then fail. They don't seem to be doing anything now and it sits at 0% till the failure message comes up.

The valve stems are black rubber and I wasn't really aware of the differences with metal valve stems at the time I bought the wheels so I'm wondering if the wheels have sensors at all or if it is an incompatible kind.

Are there likely to be sensors on the wheels if it started trying to reset then failed or would it do that anyway if there were no sensors fitted. I didn't think there was anything else I needed to do before attempting the reset with different wheels.

Can tyre fitting places check for a signal from the wheels before I go to the expense of getting new sensors?

Thanks!
Rubber valves = no tpms
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      12-17-2018, 02:48 AM   #4
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Mine's a 2014 car (build date Oct 2014) and it had TPMS. The valves have metal stems.

I bought winter tyres that had no sensors but added them at a local tyre place. Total cost about£150.
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      12-17-2018, 02:53 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Abrek View Post
Rubber valves = no tpms
That's the money answer.

Just for reference my April 14 build car had TPMS.
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      12-17-2018, 03:14 AM   #6
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Thanks for the replies, looks like I may have to dip into my pocket again.
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      12-17-2018, 03:20 AM   #7
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Where did you buy them from? If they were sold as having TPMS then maybe ask for at least a contribution?
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      12-17-2018, 04:21 AM   #8
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It was just a private sale from an ad on Facebook marketplace. I have asked and he is sure there were sensors on them as he had no warning light on the car these wheels were fitted on. It was a 2014 so I'm wondering if it was maybe an early 14 and the last of the cars with the ABS type tyre monitoring.

I was new to BMW cars and these types of sensor when I bought them so maybe just a lesson learnt to read up a bit more on things before buying. I've picked up a lot of useful info on this forum since.

I guess it was still a reasonable deal even if I take the hit on new sensors as the wheels are immaculate and have 4 good Pirelli run flat winters on them.
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      12-17-2018, 04:43 AM   #9
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Get a tyre place to whip a tyre off and check if there are sensors. Simples!
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      12-17-2018, 06:57 AM   #10
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Yeah that'll be the next thing to do I think.
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      12-17-2018, 11:32 AM   #11
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Mine is March 14 build and has TPMS sensors. I have a feeling that March 14 was when they started to fit them. There was a minor update to a few other features at that time including the Limit function being added to the steering wheel and probably a few other bits.
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      12-17-2018, 12:00 PM   #12
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I think I'd read that sort of time for them appearing.

Phoned a couple of tyre fitters to get a price. One place would get the sensors from BMW. £125 fitted per wheel! Ouch! Think I might live with the warning light for the couple of months the wheels will be on.

Another said they use aftermarket ones and they would charge around £80 per wheel fitted.
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      12-17-2018, 12:06 PM   #13
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I bought a set of wheels off eBay for use as winters. Didn't realise that the wheels were for the F10 and my car's an F30. The TPMS sensors didn't work - the iDrive reset kept failing.

Ended up buying a set for £110 off ebay and selling the old ones for £50.
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      12-17-2018, 12:12 PM   #14
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You can also get a TPMS reader, some tyre places will have them. Will be the quickest way of knowing if there is a working sensor.
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      12-17-2018, 12:17 PM   #15
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Yeah I'll probably start keeping an eye on eBay.

They seem to have new sets saying OEM quality at £150 for 4 as well.
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      12-17-2018, 05:32 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by col303 View Post
Yeah I'll probably start keeping an eye on eBay.

They seem to have new sets saying OEM quality at £150 for 4 as well.
No they’re actual OEM ones for £150

Keep an eye out though, I just bought a set of immaculate barely used OEM ones for £50! Although maybe this was just a rare seller that doesn’t know the going rate for them.

When I got sensors fitted to my F30 winter wheels with tyres already on, my local tyre fitters only charged me about £20 to fit them. They don’t have to take the tyre off, just push it over the wheel enough to fit the sensor, then obviously re-balance the wheel.
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      12-17-2018, 07:52 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JD6 View Post
Mine is March 14 build and has TPMS sensors. I have a feeling that March 14 was when they started to fit them. There was a minor update to a few other features at that time including the Limit function being added to the steering wheel and probably a few other bits.
My March 14 registered January 14 built F30 had rubber valve stems and used the ABS sensor method.

My winter wheels came with rubber valves also. Fine on the 14 F30. But, family meant a 66 F31 340i was required... This came with TPMS wheels and my existing winters were upgraded to TPMS valves as part of the deal.

As others have mentioned. Even in summer 16 there were two Incompatible generations of TPMS valves/sensors in use.
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      12-18-2018, 01:53 AM   #18
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Mine is an early 2015 model and has the proper metal valves so they must have come in the 2nd half of 2014.
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      12-18-2018, 02:47 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 330XDave View Post
Mine is an early 2015 model and has the proper metal valves so they must have come in the 2nd half of 2014.
I think it was February 2014, my 330d was built January 2014 and just missed out on them.
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      12-18-2018, 05:57 AM   #20
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Mine was a March 2014 reg, Feb build no TPMS & black rubber valves. Works on the ABS sensors, about as much use as a chocolate teapot.. You will know the tyre is flat before it tells you !!
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      12-18-2018, 11:20 AM   #21
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I’ve an OEM set, never been on car but sat in garage for a few years. Bought when I got new wheels for mine....didn’t realise he new ones already had them! Yours for £100
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      12-18-2018, 05:31 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slipperyshoe View Post
I’ve an OEM set, never been on car but sat in garage for a few years. Bought when I got new wheels for mine....didn’t realise he new ones already had them! Yours for £100
Thanks very much for the offer. Someone else from the forum has already contacted me offering a set and I've said I'll take them. If it doesn't happen for any reason I'll maybe get back to you and see if they're still available if that's ok.
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