Just a heads up to anyone out there that might plan to buy a set of TPMSs for their 2010s for aftermarket wheels...TPMS for 2010 is different than 2009...had to learn the hard way. They look different, and act different. 2009 sensors (09/09 build and earlier) will not talk to the car, even though they are the same frequency. Official part number from Mini for sensors on MY 2010 is 36106790054.

 

Are they still the same overall idea where they're integrated into the valve stem assembly? I'm just curious.

 

Did they add functionality like display the actual pressure for each tire or did they just modify the design and did not make it backward compatible?

 

That's exactly what they did. I had set up some Rota RBs with 215/50s, and used some 09 sensors I bought from Alex at Tire Rack. Took delivery 10 days ago of my 2010, put my new set of wheels/tires on 5 days ago.

No problems, no issues for 5 days. Was driving to the dealer today to have a moulding clip issue fixed. On the way, it threw an error code for the TPMS.

I hit reset, and continued on for another 10 miles without it ever resetting. Got to the dealer, asked them to check it out while it was in the back. Diagnosis was the module was not receiving any signals from the sensors.

A quick parts research showed a different part number for the TPMS for all Minis built 09/09 and later, along with a different part number. With mine being an 09/09 build, I concluded it may be the sensors, since the sensors were for an 09MY.

Took my OEM wheels and headed to the tire shop. Sure enough, the sensors for 2010 not only have a different part number, they look totally different too (thinner...circular ends on the sensor...and they saw BMW on them instead of Beru)

So I had my OEM sensors swapped over, and all is well now. Now I just need to find someone that might want to buy a "virtually new" set of sensors for a 2009 or earlier. Guess I''ll be posting some TPMSs for sale.

 

How much you want to sell them for?

 

Thanks for sharing! Good info.

 

Posting them up in Market, $150 shipped. With exception of an install, a few miles til error code, then swapped out...they are like new. Originally bought through Alex at TireRack.

 

A minimal amount of research makes me think that TPMS was mandated because of SUV rollover accidents attributed to flat tires. Because of this, the whole world gets stuck with the cost and pain in the butt of adding / maintaining this system.

Even if it significantly added to the cost, I wish they would make them read out true p.s.i. Then at least there would be a benefit to those of us driving cars with steering feedback such that we can already tell when a tire is 25% low.

It also seem that how often the tires "talk" to the car varies from 6 seconds to 15 minutes. 15 minutes between reports strikes me as almost useless. Anyone know how often the MINI system sends data?

 

I just got my set of 2010 TPM Sensors for my 2010 MCS snow tires today. Here is what it looks like. Also had them installed today. They are definitely different in appearance from the prior years.

 

That's them! I saw mine, but didn't get a picture...had one hell of a time describing them to Alex at Tire Rack. He might want to see this pic too.

 

Thanks for the picture!

Alex

 

Well, great now I feel better, just got a set of wheels and tires from Discount Tire and they put the 09 sensor and I have a 2010. after about 50 or so miles, got the TPMS light on, cannot reset.

I will see if they have the sensor for the 2010's or I guess I will have to have the sensors moved from the factory wheels now.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

Discount Tire Direct does NOT have the new 2010 sensor. They are however going to pay for the old sensors to come out of my stock wheels and put them in the new wheels. I just have to take them and have them changed, email them a receipt and they will credit my card.

They are also going to credit me the money for the 09 sensors, $197 and send a UPS call tag to pick them up.

I have had pretty good service from DTD and the price of the wheel tire package could not be beat anywhere else.

 

So all I have to worry about with going to an aftermarket set of wheels and tires for our 2010 Cooper S is just a little dashboard light coming on? No bells chiming or blackbox info being relayed to corporate informing them of my transgressions and flagrant flaunting of technology? I took them off my 02 C5 vette and deal with a flashing "service tire pressure monitoring system" light, but I've gotten used to it. Too much technology is not a good thing. Carry a good repair kit, nitrofill the tires and check the pressure every once in awhile works for me. Please let me know if that is the only issue...a dash light I can deal with...bells or chimes would cause madness.

THX!

 

As long as you don't replace the tires with more run-flats, this will be fine. The second gen car does not continually chime over tire pressure like it does for the seat belt. The warning is large, amber, and right in the center of the tach, so I see how it could really bother people.

 

Are the wheels the same from 2009 to 2010? I was thinking about buying some used 15" 2010 MC wheels to use with winter tires on my '09 MCS.

Will this work? Where can I get this info?

 

The wheels are the same, but those 15" OEM wheels are not going to fit over the front brakes on your S.

 

Great thread, guys! I have the reverse problem from hexmonkey. I want to put 16" bridge spokes from a 2009 S on a 2010 Cooper (non-S) that currently has 15" stock wheels. The used 09 wheels had the TPMs removed. I need to know if 1) the 09 S 16" wheels will fit the '10 Cooper; and 2) if the '10 TPMs will fit the 09 S wheels. It sounds like it should all work - does anyone know for sure?

 

All MCS wheels(16,17,18) will fit on the MC.

 

Good Morning, this is very helpful. thanks!

 

What a timely thread! I just bought a set of wheels off an 09 R56S for my 11 R55S and they have the 09 sensors installed. Sure enough, after about 50 miles my warning light went off. So, I'm in the market for the of the new sensors.

From my surfing around, it looks like the best deal is to purchase the set from TireRack for $200. Has anyone found a less expensive source?

Thank you

 

TPMS mandate came directly from Explorer rollover issues, though upscale Euro cars were already integrating it--Beru (the MINI supplier) has been a long standing player in the OEM market.

Yes, its possible to have more features to TPMS. My Audi displays both pressure AND temp for all wheel positions. Uses a Beru system--referred to as a "high" system or even a high + system, as opposed to a "low" system that just has the basics. Obviously car would need the interface and software to do it, and also likely multiple antennas to sort out which wheel is which (some lower line Audi's use a single antenna pick up the fanciest use them at each wheel position).

 

As I found from practical experience. I have a 2010 MCS built in Sept 2009. I saw that listing with the change over at 9/09; but it is a bit cryptic about which side of the line into which 9/09 build falls. Well, as I found from trying the older sensors, it is NOT them. 2010 sensors were the answer, as I further confirmed when I had a nail puncture repaired in the original wheel set and saw the factory sensor. Identical to the picture above for the later ones (the dual oval shape; earlier ones are rectantular shaped).

I suspect 9/09 may have been the start of 2010 builds; if so the simple way to say it is 2010's and later need the new part number.

 

I have a 2010 MINI laurel edition. Going ot go with seperate winter wheels and tires. Does anyone know if tirerack, or discount tire has the 2010 sensors. if so, are they as good as the factory ones. cause there $400 from MINI, and MINI mania is even more.

I might just skip the sensors and check tire pressure when i get gas or monthly. anyone have opinions on this. I might go without runflats for winter too. would think they would take potholes better.

Thanks for any help.

 

hello sir!
i have a 2010 mini hartop and if the tpms are the same with your vehicle, yes they do have them at TIRERACK.com. really works great with after-market wheels. thank you! augie