Hi guys,


About to put a new set of rims on my R56 and have a couple of questions about the tpms. I have a 2009 R56 MCS fitted with 17inch S spokes. Will I need to buy sensors to put in the new rims or does my system work off the rotation of the wheel rather than a radio signal from the valve? Although it's an 09 the actual build date was late 08.

When I look at my rims, the tyre valve has a black rubber stem, there's no metal section. Oh and I'm in Australia if that changes anything.

Thanks

Dane

 

never mind just saw you are 'down there'

I've no idea, your stems SOUND LIKE the old system but then again I don't find this to be a reliable indicator . . .

 

May sound silly, but, just ask your dealer. The black part is the monkey wrench in the mix....
good luck.

 

To tell which system you have, look at the valve stems. The Rotation based FTM system has normal rubber stems, the sensor based TPMS has metal stems. So if you have rubber stems you don't need any additional hardware.

If you have the metal stems, sensor would be a good idea. Which type of sensor would be a good question for a dealer, they changed the sensor type to a different frequency somewhere between 08 and 12, so I have no idea what sort of sensor you would have (if you have them).

In the US we know that all 07.5 and on models have sensors, in OZ we don't know.

 

09 is a high chance that you have the sensor in the wheel. I am pretty sure the 07s are the only ones that have the other version.

 

I have an 2008 and the TPMs in in the wheel and in the valve stem. When I put my 17 's on, they move the sensor from wheel to wheel. This not the ABS sensor as in the first gen Mini.

 

There you go only the 07s have the old style.

 

hey guys ... this question comes from Australia . . . so what we see on our cars may not be a good indicator - btw I have metal stems on my 79 and trust me, it does not have TPMS

For OP

my 7 has the old system, but I do have two other cars in the garage with in wheel TPMS sensors and what I DO see on those stems is the stem has a hex fitting. Not just plain round.



Which makes sense since when you buy new tires for a car with sensors the 'service pack' for the sensors is just a couple of o-rings and a valve insert.

 

Thanks for all your responses guys I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

Here is a pic (sorry about the quality) of my Valve stem. As you can see its all rubber, there isn't any metal part to it.

Yes I know the logical thing to do would be to drive it in to the dealer, but as I bought it second hand, they are not overly helpful. Their view is that I didn't buy it from them so there is no obligation to provide ongoing assistance. Doesn't help that I get it serviced by an independent Mechanic :P

Thanks

Dane

 

How about a tire store to tell you what you have?

 

There are several styles of sensors. Yours might be like this which are all rubber.

Most have like this

 

Definitely looks like the non sensor version.

 

While Braminator brings a good point that some rubber ones are available. I doubt MINI would source 2 different suppliers or parts for the same item. There could be some really weird or odd regulations with regards to certain frequencies "down under" but when I see a rubber stem my gut tells me with 99% confidence that the car has rotational or no TPMS.

 

I agree, I was just showing that you can not just assume since they are rubber that they are not TPMS sensors. I highly doubt he has the rubber sensor style as MINI never used them. But it is possible they could of been replaced to the rubber style.

 

Hi guys,


Thanks so much for all your Input, I'm going take the punt and get the new rims fitted without sensors, it isn't mandatory here in aus like it is for you guys so if it is meant to have sensors and I don't fit them, life goes on.

Just wanted to mention how helpful this forum has been! The Australian forum isn't anywhere near as active as nam and this is always the first place I look for answers!

Thanks

Dane