Indeed... I'm so old that I fart dust now.

 

Never thought about it this way. My MA was the one who explained the indirect TPMS system to me. Your logic makes much more sense.

LOL! So true!


I'll have to look into this more, thanks for the information. As for the dealer charging $60 for the sensor you may be correct, but I saw them at MiniMania (OEM part) for $14.95.

I wonder why the goop won't pass the valve stem? I would think without doing more research that the sensor is in the cap on the valve stem, not in the actual valve, however I could be very wrong.

 

The 'new' sensors are actually inside the wheels. Everything is plastic, not metal. Even the valve core is not metal. It's some kind of nickel plated valve core. The goop has to pass through the valve stem and through the sensor. That's why they'll have to be replaced if you use the goop.

 

i ordered the Beru TPMS kit from Alex@tirerack yesterday. thanks Alex!

 

Yes, but will the goop actually pass through enough to fix the tire? If they can be replaced for $15 then ruining one, rather than getting stuck, is not a big deal. What I read was that the sensor prevented the goop from getting through.

 

Someone w/ some cash burning a hole in their pocket needs to get a sensor, some goop, and do a test.

 

Where are getting the $15 for a sensor ... the following post indicates $60

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...6&postcount=18

 

And here it is: http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm

 

Ooops, that MiniMania listing is for just the stem, and it says you also need this sensor for $54.95: http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm

 

Really? I have the S-winders as well and I find them easier to clean than many wheels I have had in the past. I can even get my hand btw the S's and clean the inside of the rim. Maybe I have small hands.

As for the sensors, they sound like another piece of technology waiting to be tested...

 

I have a dumb question. Does anyone know if with these new TPMS sensors and valve stems, can you put the cool little Mini specific (i.e. checkers, union jack, etc.) valve caps on them? From the pictures of the stems on Mini Mania it almost looks like you can't.

Kathy

 

I've wondered the same exact thing and have been almost too embarrassed to ask. The valve stem cap on the new TPMS stems looks like some hideous monster thing. While I was poking around the dealer I managed to covertly unscrew one of the stem caps on a showroom car and the stem itself is standard (and the cap is plastic, not metal like it looked to me in pictures).

So it should physically work just fine. The only slight potential problem I could see is if it caused any potential interference w/ the RF signal the sensor's sending out, but I'm doubting that that would happen.

 

You got that right! I've been pretty successful over the years at telling if I had a flat tire... if I couldn't tell, then it didn't matter! The sensors only complicate the system and add expense to new vehicles, all because we're not considered to be intelligent enough to maintain our cars. Now, because of the new-style of sensors, I'm relegated to living with the rough-riding runflats... the one thing I don't like about my R56.

 

You cannot use 'metal' valve caps with the new TPMS valve stems. They have to be plastic. Even the valve core is not metal. It's some kind of nickel plated stem.

 

Thanks, aem421. That's kind of a bummer. Maybe someone will eventually come up with plastic versions of the checkered caps.

 

Bah! That's annoying. Hopefully they'll change the stem cap design eventually. Does anyone have them? Are they metal, or just chromed plastic like the S gas cap?

The other concern I've seen stated is to make sure the stem caps aren't made of brass, or have threads that are made of brass which will fuse to the non-brass core/stem of the new TPMS sensors.

 

It might be worthwhile talking to Mike at Aesthetic Creations. He might be able to come up with 3D domed sticker for the TPMS caps, like his Centercaps for wheels.

 

I too are going through my second teenie bopperhood or is is it now called "MID-LIFE CRISIS". I am going to get rims as my next MOD for track use only!Does anyone know if you dont have the sensors will it affect the sport settings? Thanks for taking me back to the "good ole days".

 

That's a good idea, Robin. I never saw those centercaps before...they're pretty cool.

Kathy

 

I ordered the "S" with checkered background for my CenterLine RPM wheels, but they are a custom size and it is taking awhile to get them. Should be here any day now.

 

Well, once I get my Mini I think it's definitely gonna be on my list of things to add to it.

 

I have metal caps on mine, at least I'm 99% sure they're metal. No problems so far. And yes, I have the new Diect TPMS valves on. Also, I'm getting the MINI caps in the mail as soon as the dealer gets them in. I'll let you know if they cause any problems.