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[mrh335]

There are tons of posts out there regarding TPM's. I was confused and hope that this post helps with information about TPM's for the E90.

First, I have a post March 2007 335i sedan. My car does have TPM's.

I purchased new tires from Gary at the Tire Rack and the appropriate TPM's and valves for my car (I am using BMW Style 161 wheels for my winter set).

The TPM's and valves sold by the Tire Rack are OEM parts. The TPM's show up as two pieces and need to be purchased as two pieces, the TPM sensor and the appropriate metal valve. I have attached pictures for reference.

The BMW part number is on each box:
TPM Sensor - 36 23 6 779 490
TPM Valve - 0535.007.001

Tire Rack part number:
TPM Sensor - BMWSEN1 (~$38 each)
TPM Valve - RDV001 (~$8 each)

To be clear, you will need four of each part for four wheels.

The parts are made by Beru for BMW. I have also attached the data sheet for the TPM's from www.Beru.com which shows how to install.

One item to note is that the valve came with two washers. These washers from what I can tell are not both supposed to be used and are not duplicated of one another. Reading the data sheet from Beru shows that one washer has a 45 degree bevel around its circumference and the other washer has no bevel (or 90 degree). For BMW, you use the washer with no chamfer.

The Beru sheet shows installation. You take the valve apart and put it through the hole on the wheel then thread the valve back on to this part using the washer and the little rod in the package to hold the inside part of the valve in place when tightening the valve from the outside using a wrench or socket. The sensor attached on the other end using the supplied Torx screw. Adjust the angle of the sensor appropriately per instructions and tighten torx screw completely.

I hope this helps with future questions.

-Mark

[ohsnap]

Nice post. I found that same pdf from beru a few weeks ago. I noticed my valve stems from Tischer only came with one washer and also had bmw stamped on the boxes. This would be a great addition to the DIY section!

[Amir87]

This should be a sticky!

Good Stuff!!

[cyba]

TPS sensors are standard on all E9X models or just the 335i?
Cant we use the OEM ones from the factory wheels?

[mrh335]

I believe TPM sensors are now standard on all E90 3 series post March 2007 vehicles.

Of course you can use the sensors from the stock wheels, but if you are buying a second set of wheels and tires for the winter, the best option is to get a second set of sensors, otherwise you need to disassemble the wheel for each season.

Summary...If you want two sets of wheels, one for winter and one for summer for instance, then you will need a second set of TPM's to make life easier, cheaper, etc. Then all you have to do and jack your car up, swap out the wheels when the weather changes. It is a 30 minute job.

[VP Electricity]

If I swap from my TPM-sensor-equipped wheels to my winter set which are also TPM-sensor-equipped, what do I need to do to get the car's RF receivers to detect the new sensors? Or are they all very short range and all use the same coding system? My car came with 16" OEMs and I'm upgrading, but want to use the 16" for winter tires in future.

[SantaClawz]

Originally Posted by hoehne

the TPM sensor and the appropriate metal valve.

are you saying their are different types of BMW metal valves?

[McLuVan]

so thats wu they are....
santaclaws..
are those ur nails?!

[SantaClawz]

http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo90xt2.jpg

this is what my TPM looks like. its a tad different. i bought them used. will these work?

[SantaClawz]

direct upload of picture. i hope.

[SoYank]

If all four modules use the same frequency (433 MHz), how does the car know which wheel is sending which signal? What happens if the BMW next to you at the traffic light has a flat tire?

[mrh335]

If you purchase a second set of wheels with TPM sensors, then there is nothing you need to do for the car. It automatically recongnizes the new sensors when you do the TPM reset procedure. As far as knowing which wheel, it must use a proximity type of sensing meaning it must have a sensor close to each wheel and only senses for the TPM's within so many feet. When you do the reset it is identifying the sensor for future monitoring and will not confuse itself with others (I guess).

[VP Electricity]

Got it, thanks.

[Kalin]

Originally Posted by SoYank

If all four modules use the same frequency (433 MHz), how does the car know which wheel is sending which signal? What happens if the BMW next to you at the traffic light has a flat tire?

You roll down your window and tell the person about the flat tire. I am sure when you reset the TPM the ECU & TPM handshakes with a unique id, or the effective range of the signal is very limited. I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

The pressure dropped in one of my tires, triggering the system, but it did not tell me which tire was low. So I filled all of the tires.