TPMS sensors on E38 wheels?

[attila316]

Hello, does anyone know whether E38 wheels come with tpms sensors and whether there is a way to attach the sensors to those wheels?

[Jim@tirerack]

The wheels do not come with sensors for any car. All of the wheels we carry will accept sensors and we do carry them. I am not sure whether the E38 factory wheel would accept them or not.
If I can help let me know.

[fxstsb]

Looks like as good a place as any to post. I have a E66, I was told that approximately every 4 yrs the TPMS transducer/transmitter, in the wheels must be changed because they are battery powered and the batteries are not replaceable. Is that factual?

[samger2]

I'll try to address both questions. E38 wheels...will they accept TPMS sensors...the best answer I can give is maybe. What I've found is that wheels that will accept the sensors have valve stem holes that are drilled at a slight angle to allow the sensor to sit properly on the inside of the wheel. Since TPMS wasn't really used much until recently, most wheels that are around 6 or 7 years old won't accept a sensor. That's why all the wheels that Tire Rack will...they're current wheels. Honestly, it's going to probably have to be test fit to see if the wheels you have will accept a sensor.

Question 2...do TPMS sensors need to be replaced every 4 years? I've worked for BMW for 6 years now, and I can count on one hand the times I've seen the sensors needing to be replaced due to age. That doesn't mean they don't fail due to just wearing out, but that means that I've never heard supporting documentation from BMW stating that there is a predetermined time frame for failure.

[Jim@tirerack]

All TPMS sensor manufacturers say the same thing:
The sensors are designed to last 7-10 years, 70k - 100k miles. The product warranty on them is 1 year after purchase from us.
We have seen some sensors last 4 years, and others last 10+ years.

Depending on the year of your E66, your sensors may be 1st Gen sensors that may last only 4-6 years.
Beru changed to producing a longer lasting sensor (2nd Gen) around 2006-2007.

BMW sensors are battery-powered and the battery is sealed in with a silicone-like compound, so while we have seen some people replace the battery in certain TPMS sensors (C5 Corvette, for example), it is difficult and not recommended.