I want to buy winter tires somewhere other than my dealer, but I'm concerned about the EMT or the runflat sensor working with a different wheel tire setup. Could someone please explain how this system works?

Thanks

 

The run-flat sensor compares the relative rotational speed of all four wheels against one another. Thus, changing the tires doesn't matter. It's not a pressure sensor. It just measures RPM at each wheel and compares that against the RPM of the other wheels.

 

So if I buy aftemarket rims, do I need to buy another set of sensors from MINI so that the flat warning light in the car will still work (whether the tires are runflat or not)?

 

To reiterate what DID said, it doesn't matter what kind/brand/size tires you put on. The sensors will still work. All they are doing is making sure each wheel turns at the same rate. A tire with less air will rotate quicker than a tire with more air. If it detects one tire is rotating quicker than another, you'll get the EML warning.

No, you don't need new sensors. Just throw on some new tires, reset the EML (button under e-brake) and go.

R

 

No,
changing the rims/wheels should not affect it either.