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[135i_jaijai]

I just picked up my 135i cabriolet last night, 2008 M sport package (rims 261M)
I had been searched on this forum and don't understand, if I want to change my rims, do I need to put on TPMS?
If I have to put it on my car, which one is the most affordable and good? Also, what if I don't put it on, and what will happen?

Please help me out here, my boyfriend is not willing to help me out, and I just want to show that I can do it myself!

Thank you~!!

[SoCalTech]

You either need to purchase new sensors, or swap the ones from your current rims. If you do not, you will have the tire pressure warning on non-stop, and will not know if you get a puncture in the tire.

[guyp]

i see that you are from Vancouver.
2008 Canadians 135i don't have TPMS. so don't worry for sensors.
my canadian 135i dash light work's with wheel rotation sensors.
detailed posts are in this Forum.

[mbrunner]

Originally Posted by SoCalTech

You either need to purchase new sensors, or swap the ones from your current rims. If you do not, you will have the tire pressure warning on non-stop, and will not know if you get a puncture in the tire.

To be honest, TPMS is worthless...

I think you will know if you get a puncture in the tire

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by mbrunner

To be honest, TPMS is worthless...

I think you will know if you get a puncture in the tire

Really? You think you'll know if you get a puncture in a RUN FLAT tire that doesn't compress even with no air in it? :iono:

TPMS is one of the best safety systems on a modern car. It's inexpensive and works very well.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Really? You think you'll know if you get a puncture in a RUN FLAT tire that doesn't compress even with no air in it? :iono:

TPMS is one of the best safety systems on a modern car. It's inexpensive and works very well.

And it has been required by law on all new cars sold in the U.S. since Sept., 2007.

But it would be nice to have an inflation dash readout for those cars which have individual tire monitors.
Tom

[mbrunner]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Really? You think you'll know if you get a puncture in a RUN FLAT tire that doesn't compress even with no air in it? :iono:

TPMS is one of the best safety systems on a modern car. It's inexpensive and works very well.

Again, to me, it is a POINTLESS feature

Sure I will know there is a puncture in my run flat tire, eventually. I would never drive a car with run flats anyway. As soon as I take delivery of my 1 next year they are going in the trash or on the web (get some money out of it)...

[EspressoBoy]

TPMS is not pointless, I have to disagree with you totally.

It is like airbags, they do nothing till you have a problem. So if you think that airbags are worthless you are right! They are a total waste of money...

That is till you get in an accident, then they are the most important thing in the world!

TPMS can be the same way.

Maybe just maybe you get a slow leak. You start the car, it tells you bad tire. You right away check and you see a tire is low. You find out it has a nail in it. So you do not get on the highway. You do not get into an accident! So again TPMS is totally worthless. But that day it lets you know you have a low tire, it becomes your most valued feature.

BTW TPMS (sensor) we do not have in Canada... But we have TPMS (system)

This is a method that does not require a $40-$50 electronic gadget in your tire. It uses an external method to see if the tire is low on air.

I would think logically the sensor method would be more accurate but I have not read anywhere that this is true. Obviously the external method is more simple, so I assume it is the more superior. Anyway

Bottom line is... in Canada we can see in the car we have tire measurements in the dashboard and we do not order "TPMS" from Tirerack as it is not used. So why order it?

Gill @ tirerack told me he prefers our method. And if I am not mistaken, the rest of the world uses our method, here in Canada, only USA again has to be special! LOL

Anyone know wrong please let me know and I will change this.

Oh a quick way to know if you have the gadget is to see if the plug in the tire is metal. On my tires only the cap is metal, not the stem. Metal is an easy way to check.

So I am told anyway...

EspressoBoy

Hope that clears up stuff... btw this has also been talked about a whole bunch before, and your search is your best friend here!

[BMW F22]

All US models come with TPMS nowadays. For Canadian models they use FTM (flat tire monitoring system) which uses the ABS sensors. The thing with TPMS is that it will not tell you if all your tires are loosing air at the same pace.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by mbrunner

Again, to me, it is a POINTLESS feature

Sure I will know there is a puncture in my run flat tire, eventually. I would never drive a car with run flats anyway. As soon as I take delivery of my 1 next year they are going in the trash or on the web (get some money out of it)...

You'll know a runflat is underinflated when it blows out.

TPMS is usefull even on cars without runflats. I've had two blowouts over the years that would have been completely prevented if the car had TPMS. If you pick up a nail on a road trip in a low profile tire, the first indication that there's a problem is usually when it comes apart.

[135i_jaijai]

thank you so much for all the help.

So i'll take it as a NO need TPMS for my 135i

thank you all :smile:

[turbobum]

Originally Posted by mbrunner

To be honest, TPMS is worthless...

Agreed. If it at least displayed what the pressure is in each tire (like common/basic GM cars do) then it would be a neat and convenient option.

[instantexpert]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

You'll know a runflat is underinflated when it blows out.

TPMS is usefull even on cars without runflats. I've had two blowouts over the years that would have been completely prevented if the car had TPMS. If you pick up a nail on a road trip in a low profile tire, the first indication that there's a problem is usually when it comes apart.

Absolutely agreed, I lost several tires like this on my old 330i (I had a bad year with Chicago roads). The sidewalls are so short that you have to have some other indication (noise, smell, handling) that something is wrong and, by then, it is too late for the tire.

[instantexpert]

Originally Posted by turbobum

Agreed. If it at least displayed what the pressure is in each tire (like common/basic GM cars do) then it would be a neat and convenient option.

I think it is almost criminal to not provide tire pressure. The information has to be there so why not display it. Especially on the idrive system where they've got a fancy graphic with green wheels perfect for displaying pressure numbers on.

[mbrunner]

Originally Posted by turbobum

Agreed. If it at least displayed what the pressure is in each tire (like common/basic GM cars do) then it would be a neat and convenient option.

Yup, if a Chevy Cobalt can show the tire pressure, why can't every car? I do not have the TPMS sensors on my current car for my winter wheels and honestly, I am glad. They seem to trigger when the pressure drops below 32psi, at least in my Subaru, and at that pressure I will catch it at my next fill at the pump.

I didn't say that you had to agree with me, but the sensors most cars get and the information is not dispalyed is all together pointless.

[IDBMW]

Originally Posted by Kenny@JleviSW

All US models come with TPMS nowadays. For Canadian models they use FTM (flat tire monitoring system) which uses the ABS sensors. The thing with TPMS is that it will not tell you if all your tires are loosing air at the same pace.

I hate TPMS and I am a safety guy that likes DSC ABS air bags and all the stuff that keeps me safe but TPMS is crap compared to FTM. My last two BMW’s had FTM and I had a few flats that the system warned me of the flat. My 2005 Tacoma had TPMS and the truck went to the dealer for TPMS issues six times and they could not fix it. I filed under the lemon law and have a 2006 Tacoma which was due to TPMS. TPMS has too much hardware when the ABS system can do it. With the FTM you can switch wheels and not worry about sensors. It’s the NTSB that mandates sensors in the wheels. More government in our way due to the Ford Explorer/Firestone rollover class action years ago.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by IDBMW

I hate TPMS and I am a safety guy that likes DSC ABS air bags and all the stuff that keeps me safe but TPMS is crap compared to FTM. My last two BMW’s had FTM and I had a few flats that the system warned me of the flat. My 2005 Tacoma had TPMS and the truck went to the dealer for TPMS issues six times and they could not fix it. I filed under the lemon law and have a 2006 Tacoma which was due to TPMS. TPMS has too much hardware when the ABS system can do it. With the FTM you can switch wheels and not worry about sensors. It’s the NTSB that mandates sensors in the wheels. More government in our way due to the Ford Explorer/Firestone rollover class action years ago.

The NTSB does't mandate the method of detection, only the detection limit. I think the system has to have enough resolution to detect a 10% drop in air pressure, and in most situations the ABS sensors can't reliably pick up differences in rotation that small. On top of that, it won't work at all with run-flat tires.

[turbobum]

So what happen's if I use a can of fix-a-flat (as a get-me-home) with the TPMS? Will it mess up the sensor?

I'm planning on ditching the run-flats for some real tires.

[fmxomar]

Originally Posted by turbobum

So what happen's if I use a can of fix-a-flat (as a get-me-home) with the TPMS? Will it mess up the sensor?

I'm planning on ditching the run-flats for some real tires.

no, it will not ruin the sensor, most companies that make the fix-a-flats such as Slime, are now designed in a manner where it will not mess up the sensors

[Smac355]

can i take the TPMS sensors off my OEM wheels and put them on an aftermarket pair of rims/tires?

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by fmxomar

no, it will not ruin the sensor, most companies that make the fix-a-flats such as Slime, are now designed in a manner where it will not mess up the sensors

Where is this information coming from? I can't see any way possible they couldn't damage the sensors. The sensing hole in the TPMS sensor is smaller than most holes these sealants are designed to fix. It's bound to clogg it up.

I wouldn't put any of those sealants in a tire with TPMS sensors in it. Carrying a plug kit seems like a much better idea to me.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Smac355

can i take the TPMS sensors off my OEM wheels and put them on an aftermarket pair of rims/tires?

In most cases you can, but sometimes there are clearance issues. Tire Rack is probably a good source for specific wheel info. :thumbup: