[derek.megyesi]

Hi all,

I have a 2020 BMW F36 (Grand Coupe) and I need to purchase Winter Tires. BMW is quoting me $3500 CAN (I'm in Calgary) all in. However, I have found some cheaper OEM ones on Kijiji.

I am concerned and confused about TPMS though. I am hearing mixed comments. Does BMW use TPMS inside the rims, or is it installed somewhere else? I don't wanna get screwed on buying tires for winter, but I can't be without a TPMS monitor.

Any advice?

Derek

[tturedraider]

Yes, the monitor is inside the rim of the wheel attached to the valve stem.

[HarryTee]

The TPMS is with the wheel, and not with the tyre. So you're all right if you use the same wheels.

[derek.megyesi]

I gotta be so careful. Lot of crooks out there who "claim" to be selling BMW tires, but when I push them about the TPMS they say "BMW does't use TPMS"... So I know they are full of crap.

[Whatsupguy]

OP, AFAIK, in Canada we use a flat tire monitor system not TPMS. Check out thread below:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1764847

[freakystyly]

You can get by without (in Canada anyways). I'm currently not running any in my winters but also coded them out to avoid running into any problems.

Downside is that you wont be able to check pressures on your computer or anything else TPMS related obviously. It's still good practice to check your cold pressure temperatures manually once a month or so.

[Wires]

Are you sure you have TPMS? Can you see individual tire pressures on the iDrive? My 2016 and 2008 just used rotational measurements from the ABS to detect low pressures. They are just regular rims and regular tires.

I had bought winters from 1010tires (they are in canada), with Replika rims from them. They arrived pre-mounted, pricing was much better than the dealer (I want to say $2000 for the mounted set).

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by derek.megyesi

I gotta be so careful. Lot of crooks out there who "claim" to be selling BMW tires, but when I push them about the TPMS they say "BMW does't use TPMS"... So I know they are full of crap.

No one sells BMW tires, because BMW doesn't make tires.

I need to purchase Winter Tires. BMW is quoting me $3500 CAN

That price had better include wheels and TPMS transmitters. For advice on wheels and tires this is where you should be asking:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=423

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by Wires

Are you sure you have TPMS? Can you see individual tire pressures on the iDrive? My 2016 and 2008 just used rotational measurements from the ABS to detect low pressures. They are just regular rims and regular tires.

I'm not sure, my 2017 car is "stupid" too, not even a reverse camera. I think the newer 2018+ tech packages have more standard gadgets like that.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

I'm not sure, my 2017 car is "stupid" too, not even a reverse camera. I think the newer 2018+ tech packages have more standard gadgets like that.

I've noticed that actual TPMS isn't typically offered in Canada on the German brands. Not sure about the newer ones though.

I'm assuming the law dictates "some sort of pressure monitoring" for Canada, so they go the easy route. Honestly, it's good enough.

[quakerroatmeal]

If you want you could save a ton of money and buy winter tires for your current wheels and have the tire shop swap them out for the winter. Then when winter is over go back and have them swap the original tires back on. That way you don't need to worry about buying or moving sensors.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by quakerroatmeal

If you want you could save a ton of money and buy winter tires for your current wheels and have the tire shop swap them out for the winter. Then when winter is over go back and have them swap the original tires back on. That way you don't need to worry about buying or moving sensors.

Only catch22 is if you have large summer rims, you sometimes cannot find winter tires for them (at least that's the case for run flats).

The disadvantage of have rubber swapped spring/fall is you need to load up the tires in your car, drive to a shop, wait, drive home. If you have storage space for the winter tires, then you can swap them at your leisure in the driveway/street. But yes, you need to buy wheels with is $$. My Replika wheels cost $170CAD each a couple years ago, but look like they are sold out due to supply chain issues :
https://www.1010tires.com/Wheels/Rep...80-12SN-35C726

[Billfitz]

If you have large summer rims you shouldn't be using them for winters, as they're far more prone to pothole damage than smaller rims with higher aspect tires. Winters also work better when they're narrower, so wide summer rims are counter productive in that respect as well.

[smrtypants44]

Normally if your valve stems are metal=tpms, if they are rubber then it means your car uses abs sensors.

[heifetz17]

Older BMWs used the ABS system to calculate tire pressure (as in my e83 and e38). AFAIK newer models all have valve stem sensors in the US market. This is how it's able to measure exact pressure and tire temperature.

It's my understanding that non-US market cars may still use the ABS system for tire pressure.

[derek.megyesi]

Thanks all. I took my car down to BMW Gallery today here in Calgary and they confirmed the wheels do have the TPMS inside them.

[Billfitz]

You could have confirmed that yourself. On your iDrive Control Display:
1. "Vehicle info"
2. "Vehicle status"
3. "Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)"

A VIN check would show it as well.

[i128]

Originally Posted by derek.megyesi

Thanks all. I took my car down to BMW Gallery today here in Calgary and they confirmed the wheels do have the TPMS inside them.

I'd double check, because to my knowledge all F-chassis cars manufactured for the Canadian market came equipped with abs leveling sensor tpm. Meaning NO sensors inside each rim. As others have said above, this system will not provide you with each tires individual pressure reading, rather it will alert you if you have a air loss somewhere, and it up to you to figure out in which tire.

Also check your valve stems, if they're traditional rubber ( they flex) then your don't have tpms sensors. If they're metal, you probably do.

But sounds like dealer is trying to pull a fast one to me.

[Wires]

I wouldn't trust BMW Gallery with a 10 foot pole. That place is as slimy as it comes.

If you go into your iDrive, and go to tire pressures, you will see 4 pressures for 4 tires if you have TPMS. If it just has a tire pressure reset and no actual numbers, you do not.

And as i128 said, the sensors come with metal valve stems.

[2017F30]

Originally Posted by i128

I'd double check, because to my knowledge all F-chassis cars manufactured for the Canadian market came equipped with abs leveling sensor tpm. Meaning NO sensors inside each rim. As others have said above, this system will not provide you with each tires individual pressure reading, rather it will alert you if you have a air loss somewhere, and it up to you to figure out in which tire.

Also check your valve stems, if they're traditional rubber ( they flex) then your don't have tpms sensors. If they're metal, you probably do.

But sounds like dealer is trying to pull a fast one to me.

I prefer the ABS sensor approach as I would rather check the individual tires with a digital gauge.

[quakerroatmeal]

Originally Posted by i128

I'd double check, because to my knowledge all F-chassis cars manufactured for the Canadian market came equipped with abs leveling sensor tpm. Meaning NO sensors inside each rim. As others have said above, this system will not provide you with each tires individual pressure reading, rather it will alert you if you have a air loss somewhere, and it up to you to figure out in which tire.

Also check your valve stems, if they're traditional rubber ( they flex) then your don't have tpms sensors. If they're metal, you probably do.

But sounds like dealer is trying to pull a fast one to me.

Just have the OP post a picture of the valve stem we can easily tell right away.

Originally Posted by 2017F30

I prefer the ABS sensor approach as I would rather check the individual tires with a digital gauge.

Having it shown on your infotainment screen is very nice to have I love this feature.. I check my tire pressure pretty often on screen.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by 2017F30

I prefer the ABS sensor approach as I would rather check the individual tires with a digital gauge.

I've never found them to measure more than a half a PSI different than what the screen reads.