[AbnormallyAspirated]

Hi:

I'm putting together a set of summer rims, and I bought a set of OEM BMW TPMS sensors on ebay.

Will I need to do anything to program or learn the sensors to the car, other that doing the reset through iDrive menu?

I have Bimmercode, bimmerlink, ISTA, and a cheap chinese BMW-specific scan tool, FWIW,

Thanks!

Dave

[Kernel Kurtz]

As long as they are the correct sensors a reset through iDrive should be all you need to do.

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

As long as they are the correct sensors a reset through iDrive should be all you need to do.

I can confirm this: I put winter tires and aftermarket alloys with TPMS sensors. Took about 5 minutes of driving foe iDrive to recognize the sensors and report their data.

[AbnormallyAspirated]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

I can confirm this: I put winter tires and aftermarket alloys with TPMS sensors. Took about 5 minutes of driving foe iDrive to recognize the sensors and report their data.

and you put on brand new, never programmed BMW TPMS sensors?

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by AbnormallyAspirated

and you put on brand new, never programmed BMW TPMS sensors?

As long as they are the correct frequency (433Mhz) and BMW sensors, they don't need any programming, just the TPMS reset procedure via iDrive.

[Kernel Kurtz]

I found mine take quite a bit longer than 5 minutes, probably closer to 20, though this is in stop and go city driving. Probably works much faster if you can find somewhere you can drive steady state. You can watch the % count down on the iDrive screen in any case.

[jzeiler4]

I got the same results from a set of TPMS sensors I got on e-bay for $35 for 4 of them. Still working fine today.

[Kernel Kurtz]

Originally Posted by AbnormallyAspirated

and you put on brand new, never programmed BMW TPMS sensors?

Some sensors are "universal" (for a given frequency) and need to be programed for the particular make/model they will be used in. If your vendor says they are pre-programmed (or OEM) for BMW then they should be just that.

You probably would not be able to program them otherwise, but any local tire shop probably can.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

Some sensors are "universal" (for a given frequency) and need to be programed for the particular make/model they will be used in. If your vendor says they are pre-programmed (or OEM) for BMW then they should be just that.

You probably would not be able to program them otherwise, but any local tire shop probably can.

My tyre specialist just needed the VIN number of our Macan to input into the Autel system they use to configure aftermarket sensors for Porsche compatibility. When I picked up the winter wheels and tyres, they were ready to go on the Macan, just the same as if OEM sensors had been used.

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by AbnormallyAspirated

and you put on brand new, never programmed BMW TPMS sensors?

Brand new aftermarket sensors from Tire Rack.

[zoro2001]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

Brand new aftermarket sensors from Tire Rack.

When I picked up my 235i in 2021 I ordered a winter wheel and tire set from Tire Rack with sensors included. All I did was use i-drive to reset the TPMS. Very quick and easy.