Hi,

I've read about sometime during August/September 2007 as when Mini started manufacturing cars with the direct TPMS (metal valve stem).

I need to replace my tires and before going to the tire shop, I'd just like to make sure that my MC (info on door frame says "MFD BY BAYERISCHE MOTORENWERKE AG 02/07") does not have the direct TPMS.

I'd appreciate if somebody can take a quick look at the attached picture and confirm that it's not what a metal valve stem looks like. There's definitely rubber under the threaded end but I don't know if that's just a cover or whether that's definitive that it's not a metal valve stem.

Also, has anybody had problems with installing/using a 185/65R-15 to replace the stock size 175/65R-15 on their MCs? In https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...or-cooper.html, Minihune mentioned .

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ltimax-hp.html is showing that 185/65R-15 is about 1/2" taller than 175/65R-15.

Any problem/concern at all with using 185/65R-15?

Thank you for reading and appreciate all the responses and comments.

 

I went ahead and replaced all tires with 185/65R-15.

America's Tire tried to charge me for a TPMS Rebuild Kit at $12/tire. I told them mine doesn't need it and they removed that line item before finalizing the order.