Wheel Questions

[craigdm]

In the hope of improving the ride quality, I'm looking at replacing the 19" 326 wheels with aftermarket 18" version with NRF tyres and just have a couple of questions.

1. Anyone used Wheel Base Alloys, or have any other recommended suppliers.
2. The package they are offering comes with fitted tyres, but I thought the Z4 had special valves for the TRP system, is this the case?
3. Is there a market out there for a full set of 326 alloys, and if so what price could I expect? Decent condition, rears have less than 3k miles on them, fronts are more worn but legal.
4. Do I need to go to 18" or will the change to NRF help the ride on it's own?

TIA

Craig

 

[B21]

1 yes I've used them a couple of times.. no issues with them, one of their suppliers had delivery issues but it wasn't there fault..
2 TPMS came in around 2013/2014 for E89s...what year / month was yours made? VIN number will be definitive
3 Yes..I sold mine in good condition with run flats for £1,350 on eBay..you may get less..
4 18" is the best handling /ride trade off without doubt..if you are not fixated by 'filling the wheel well' and/or don't need 19" for your choice of tyres then IMHO 18" is the way to go..non run flat of course

 

[Pondrew]

A good tip to tell if you have TPMS valves is the colour. TPMS have silver stems and have slightly longer stems than non TPMS.
If you haven't got idrive you haven't got TPMS sensors. If you have idrive, you have to drive to reset the pressures with TPMS, not with FTMS (without valves).
If you have TPMS don't get fitted tyres. Even if you can find someone who say they will supply them, chances are they will be cheap ones and they probably won't know what frequency you need.
If you have tyres fitted an then have to remove them to fit TPMS valves, they will need re-balancing which can damage the finish of your lovely new wheels.

As for used BMW wheels; most 'desirable' styles (326s are, believe it or not) tend to sell for around £1,000 with tyres if in very good nick with decent tyres. The value is hit hard if they need a refurb as someone will have to pay £70 plus for each wheel to be refurbed. Knackered, damaged or very old tyres will kill the resale value too.

 

[enuff_zed]

If you haven't got idrive you haven't got TPMS sensors.

Without even going to my garage to check I can confirm that I DON'T have Idrive but I DO have TPMS sensors. They are metal valves.
Mine is a 64-plate.

 

[Pondrew]

Without even going to my garage to check I can confirm that I DON'T have Idrive but I DO have TPMS sensors. They are metal valves.
Mine is a 64-plate.

How do they reset then? I thought only the iDrive was able to reset the 'puter.
Obviously not!
I see what you did there aswell!

 

[B21]

If you haven't got idrive you haven't got TPMS sensors.

Without even going to my garage to check I can confirm that I DON'T have Idrive but I DO have TPMS sensors. They are metal valves.
Mine is a 64-plate.

Yup TPMS was mandated with or without iDrive

4/2014 was when TPMS was fitted according to realeom for the N20 E89 20i

 

[craigdm]

Thanks for all the great advice, looks like I do have TMPS valves as I have iDrive and when I reset the pressures recently I had to drive a bit until the system was happy.

Would a tyres-on-the-drive company be able to transfer the valves over to a new wheel without damaging them?

Good to hear that the 326's have some value. I want to fit some matt-black 18", otherwise I would probably just replace the NRFs.

 

[enuff_zed]

Without even going to my garage to check I can confirm that I DON'T have Idrive but I DO have TPMS sensors. They are metal valves.
Mine is a 64-plate.

How do they reset then? I thought only the iDrive was able to reset the 'puter.
Obviously not!
I see what you did there aswell!

By diligent reading of the instruction manual and dextrous manipulation of the BC button. :wink:

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks for all the great advice, looks like I do have TMPS valves as I have iDrive and when I reset the pressures recently I had to drive a bit until the system was happy.

I would double check to be sure. My E89 has TPMS valves and I have to drive a way for it to reset.
Wifey's E85 has standard valves and uses the ABS sensors, but you still set it just the same and drive a way until it's happy.
Simple answer is (I think): metal valves with a hex shape on them are TPMS valves. Standard looking rubber valves use the ABS to look at the rolling radius of each wheel. They don't measure the pressure but set a datum for each wheel diameter and look for one to change.

 

[B21]

Thanks for all the great advice, looks like I do have TMPS valves as I have iDrive and when I reset the pressures recently I had to drive a bit until the system was happy.

Would a tyres-on-the-drive company be able to transfer the valves over to a new wheel without damaging them?

Good to hear that the 326's have some value. I want to fit some matt-black 18", otherwise I would probably just replace the NRFs.

I suspect if you had to drive after resetting it you MAY have just FTM..Flat Tyre Monitor ie not TPMS

Do you valve stems look like black rubber or does there appear to be a metal nut at the base of the valve?

At the likely age IF you have TPMS you will need to get a service kit for them which may end up more expensive than new TPMS sensors..

You can get them transferred if they are TPMS but the above caveat applies..

 

[Pondrew]

I agree with 'nuff and B21; simplest way to tell is if they are silver metal they are TPMS, if black and rubbery, not.

If you do have TPMS valves and swap them over to new wheels, the cost is virtually the same as buying new valves. New BMW genuine valves can be had for £90 a set. To take tyres off, take valves out, put normal valves in, put tyres back on and re-balance ain't gonna be much cheaper, if at all. Plus you will have brand new batteries in your valves which should last for years.
Your 326s will be worth more with TPMS valves fitted too, as a non-TPMS car will still function with TPMS valves in the wheels (they just won't do anything) but nobody with TPMS cars will want your wheels without a significant drop in price.

 

[craigdm]

Pretty sure these are the TPMS valves.
Wheel Base have offered to fit 4 new ones for £100, probably the easiest solution.

My 326s look in pretty good condition and they have almost new Bridgestones on the rear.
Hopefully they will sell pretty quickly so I don't have my wife asking awkward questions!

 

[enuff_zed]

I would definitely not be bothering to re-use those!
May only be on the outside, but they look crap!

 

[craigdm]

I would definitely not be bothering to re-use those!
May only be on the outside, but they look crap!

Can't disagree with you there! Hopefully they will clean up nicely for the sale pictures. System works just fine.

 

[Pondrew]

My 326s look in pretty good condition and they have almost new Bridgestones on the rear.
Hopefully they will sell pretty quickly so I don't have my wife asking awkward questions!

I did the 'man maths' thing with my wife when I recently bought new wheels. I paid £1,369.00 for the wheels, new tyres and new TPMS sensors. I sold the old 704M wheels and tyres (with TPMS fitted) for £1,000. I told the wife I made money!

 

[Nanu]

How much is it worth not to send her a copy of this thread?

 

[ronk]

How much is it worth not to send her a copy of this thread?

About the same as testicle re attachment surgery!

 

[tiglon]

My 326s look in pretty good condition and they have almost new Bridgestones on the rear.
Hopefully they will sell pretty quickly so I don't have my wife asking awkward questions!

I did the 'man maths' thing with my wife when I recently bought new wheels. I paid £1,369.00 for the wheels, new tyres and new TPMS sensors. I sold the old 704M wheels and tyres (with TPMS fitted) for £1,000. I told the wife I made money!

I bought my wheels for about £900 and sold the old ones for around £250.... told her they were almost the same price

 

[craigdm]

My 326s look in pretty good condition and they have almost new Bridgestones on the rear.
Hopefully they will sell pretty quickly so I don't have my wife asking awkward questions!

I did the 'man maths' thing with my wife when I recently bought new wheels. I paid £1,369.00 for the wheels, new tyres and new TPMS sensors. I sold the old 704M wheels and tyres (with TPMS fitted) for £1,000. I told the wife I made money!

This will be my plan also !
Did you sell the old wheels easily, or did it take some time?
Where is the best place to advertise?
I've not used EBay in years, once they upped the selling fees to 10%!

 

[Pondrew]

This will be my plan also !
Did you sell the old wheels easily, or did it take some time?

I sold them on another BMW forum (target market). Took about a week but they were immaculate with nearly new Good Year tyres.