European TPMS

Cozy · 02-15-2014, 05:24 AM

Hi all,

Just to clarify, the pre-2010 TPMS (or rather warning system TPWS) on the European E82 was measured via the ABS sensor which noticed changes in rolling mass or resistance, right?
I believe that the wheels may still have some sort of sensor on them but I don't believe it's as temperamental as the later system (or indeed the old E46 system) and does not need replacing when swapping wheels or rebuilding.

I have read reports across the Bimmerpost board that a TPMS battery runs dead after 5yrs however, on my 2008 135i we're still running strong so I suspect that it is all ABS based and there perhaps maybe isn't a sensor under the tyre after all.

I know that the USA and EU have different rules where after 2010 the US DOT required all new cars to be fitted with TPMS systems but we do not have that legislation in the EU.

So, swapping wheels on a pre-2010 car is surely less expensive than post-2010 as no new TPMS sensors need to be bought? In the EU it could be that a true TPMS was never introduced so there is no pre/post 2010 cut off to worry about but I can't find anything that says for certain.

Blacksport · 02-15-2014, 09:47 AM

Check your valve stems....are they flexible? no TPMS...solid and threaded with a nut holding them? that's TPMS....also check your owner's manual...

The ABS computer doesn't measure rolling resistance, but rather the speed of the wheel...a tire with low pressure has a smaller diameter, so it's spinning faster than the others, which will trip the ABS sensor....that's the opposite of braking, now the sensor will detect a wheel spinning slower than the others and release some fluid pressure to that brake.

RimasRS · 02-15-2014, 01:59 PM

EU version doesnt have any sensors in wheels

GeeRam · 02-15-2014, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cozy

on my 2008 135i we're still running strong so I suspect that it is all ABS based and there perhaps maybe isn't a sensor under the tyre after all.

Correct.

Dackelone · 02-15-2014, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimasRS

EU version doesnt have any sensors in wheels

+1. EU models have a rubber valve stem(vs a metal one for US market TPMS)... and the EU cars use the ABS sensors to detect a flat or deflating tire.

You can have the EU system coded to your US spec car. Its not hard, ask around for local "coders". Once coded you have to unplug the TPMS ecu located inside the RR of the trunk.

As for US specs TPMS... they used two frequencies: pre Sept/'09 or post Sept/'09

Cozy · 02-17-2014, 03:08 AM

Thank you all, you've been really helpful

.

Case closed.

02-15-2014, 05:24 AM	#1
Cozy Major 111 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Surrey, England iTrader: (0)	European TPMS - Wheel Swap Hi all, Just to clarify, the pre-2010 TPMS (or rather warning system TPWS) on the European E82 was measured via the ABS sensor which noticed changes in rolling mass or resistance, right? I believe that the wheels may still have some sort of sensor on them but I don't believe it's as temperamental as the later system (or indeed the old E46 system) and does not need replacing when swapping wheels or rebuilding. I have read reports across the Bimmerpost board that a TPMS battery runs dead after 5yrs however, on my 2008 135i we're still running strong so I suspect that it is all ABS based and there perhaps maybe isn't a sensor under the tyre after all. I know that the USA and EU have different rules where after 2010 the US DOT required all new cars to be fitted with TPMS systems but we do not have that legislation in the EU. So, swapping wheels on a pre-2010 car is surely less expensive than post-2010 as no new TPMS sensors need to be bought? In the EU it could be that a true TPMS was never introduced so there is no pre/post 2010 cut off to worry about but I can't find anything that says for certain.
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02-15-2014, 09:47 AM	#2
Blacksport Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 2013 128i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ft Lauderdale iTrader: (0)	Check your valve stems....are they flexible? no TPMS...solid and threaded with a nut holding them? that's TPMS....also check your owner's manual... The ABS computer doesn't measure rolling resistance, but rather the speed of the wheel...a tire with low pressure has a smaller diameter, so it's spinning faster than the others, which will trip the ABS sensor....that's the opposite of braking, now the sensor will detect a wheel spinning slower than the others and release some fluid pressure to that brake. __________________ '13 128i 6sp, '19 Cherokee Ltd 3.2, '17 Ducati SuperSport S *Gone But Not Forgotten:* 74 Z28, 77 Datsun 280Z (1st 5sp in US), 92 Nissan 300ZTT, 94 MB SL600 V12, 01 M Roadster, 66 Yamaha TwinJet 100, 70 Suzuki X6 Hustler *Race:* GP/FP Spitfire SCCA, Merlyn FF SCCA, Mazda RX7 IMSA GTU, Yamaha FZR 400 AMA.
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02-15-2014, 01:59 PM	#3
RimasRS Colonel 85 Rep 2,438 Posts Drives: BMW X3 SD Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	EU version doesnt have any sensors in wheels
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02-17-2014, 03:08 AM	#6
Cozy Major 111 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Surrey, England iTrader: (0)	Thank you all, you've been really helpful . Case closed.
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