TPM (Tire Pressure Monitor) sensors

[E85]

i was looking into getting a new set of rims for my Z4. called a local guy who i have been dealing with for years. he is more of a japanese car expert, but when i asked him about a new set of rims for the car his first question was "do u have TPM?" as we all know the Z4 comes with TPM. he said that if i want new rims i would also have to get a new set of TPM sensors (1 for each tire/rim?) he said it would be about $200 per sensor and suggested that I can have that money go towards the car in a much more useful way.

question is, are the sensors really approx $200 each?? he said it's very hard to save the sensor when taking the tires off the rims and he suggested to be ready to pay the $200 each if i were to order. i don't think he's trying to rip me off as in the end he suggested that i just keep the stock rims if i wasn't willing to splurge and shell out the extra $800.

any comments??

 

[Wondermike]

It's only on 2007 models that it's an issue (wheel sensors rather than using ABS system). On yours (2003 in your sig?) you will be able to swap the wheels no problem, plenty people have done it.

 

[WLH]

It's only on 2007 models that it's an issue (wheel sensors rather than using ABS system). On yours (2003 in your sig?) you will be able to swap the wheels no problem, plenty people have done it.

Exactly...

IF you had a 2007 model Zed...

TPMS SENSOR
$152.00 for a quantity of 4

TPMS 43MM VALVE
$32.00 for a quantity of 4

Total Price: $184.00 this is what you would need if you purchased your wheels from Tirerack....

 

[AlanL]

That price is about what I just paid Tire Rack for a set that will be installed on my winter wheels.

 

[Rick Hunter]

The OEM BMW TPM (RDC) Sensors are made by Beru AG, and work on 433MHz frequency.

Part numbers are as follows:
36236779490 - Wheel Electronics Module
36146759741 - Valve Stem

It's $188.16 for a set of 4 at this website. <--- I only pimp it because I've had pretty good service from them in the past, and the prices are pretty good.

 

[E85]

yes, i have a 2003. sorry, very newbie when it comes to TPM, so my DOESN'T have sensors?? it uses ABS to sense it?? i have the Tire Pressure button beside the "DSC" button, so how does that work again??

thx for the advice, i thought $800 for a set of TPM sensors was crazy high!!!

 

[Wondermike]

It uses the ABS sensors to monitor how many times the wheels turn relative to one another - if the pressure is low in a particular wheel, it will turn more times than the others (slightly smaller rolling circumference) so it sets off the warning.

 

[E85]

whoh, that's pretty high tech!!

so then if (theoretically you had (and i would never do this) 195-50-16 on the front and 255-50-18 on the rear, that would set off the sensor?? ... because the front and back wheels are rotating at a different rate??

so yah, good news, i CAN go and look into getting new rims without worrying about the sensors

 

[thebighash]

i konw this thread is ~2 months old but would like to know if there's a way to tell if my car really has the TPM or the ABS sensors?

it's a 2007 but i want to double check before placing any order coz we might be getting different specs here in the Gulf?

 

[inTgr8r]

In '07 the M series changed to in tire sensors.
You can also tell by the style of valve stem.