[vladman]

Hi,

I've now owned a 2012 520d M Sport for a week, very happy with the car. I was wondering about a few things, and hope someone can help.

1. Can I do a straight swap of the current 18" staggered wheels for a set of 17" (non-staggered) wheels off an F10 SE with 225/55 tyres?
2. Do I HAVE TO use run-flat tyres? Does it invalidate insurance if you don't? Are there any other things to consider (I'm aware I don't have a spare wheel in the car) regarding this?
3. Is it normal that all the brake calipers are exposed? I mean, they're not covered on the outside, on the visible side... Hopefully it makes sense what I'm asking.
4. Can anyone help me understand the trip/onboard computers in the iDrive. I'm used to the old-fashioned trips A and B, each resettable. I'm not entirely sure what the difference is between the trip and onboard computers. Also, is the trip mileage in the dash separate, and a third stat, so to speak? The button in the lower left corner of the dash, it seems to reset this stat when pressed, but if held, the previous mileage comes back... A bit odd (at least to me), and almost the opposite to what I'm used to (on older cars, you hold to reset). Why does it work like that, and is that the only function of this button?

Many thanks!

Vlad.

[remmib]

1. Yes, only issue might be TPMS sensors.
2. No, but I'm not familiar with UK insurance.

4. They are two separate computers. And the trip milage in the dash is also separate.

[The Beast]

3 - Yes and I hate them like that because they rust and look ugly against shiny clean wheels. I have mine sprayed to prevent this, doesn't cost much to get done.

[gspannu]

Originally Posted by vladman

Hi,
[LIST=1][*]Do I HAVE TO use run-flat tyres?

Vlad.

Off question: Why do you want to replace the Run-Flats?

[vladman]

Hi, thanks for the replies.

Originally Posted by gspannu

Off question: Why do you want to replace the Run-Flats?

gspannu, I don't really want/need to per se, I was just asking to find out if it's an option to replace them with non-run-flats. There's a lot I need to learn about BMWs as this is my first one!

Regarding insurance, is it an issue swapping for the smaller wheels? In anyone's experience, does it increase/decrease the premium?

These TPMS sensors, I'm trying to find info on them, but not being very successful. Where exactly are they and how do they work? Again, will swapping for the 17" wheels (genuine BWM with 225/55 run-flat tyres) cause any issues with these sensors?

Yesterday, I adjusted the pressures in my tyres, and tried to follow the instructions for re-initialising these sensors, but I'm not sure I did it properly. The instructions say to drive off after starting the procedure. I did this, but is the car supposed to inform you after some time if the procedure completed successfully?

Thanks for all the help!

Vlad.

[xenon]

You don't have TPMS sensors, the system uses the ABS wheel-speed sensors to detect wheels turning at a different speed if a puncture causes the overall diameter to change. It's a pit crap really but you won't have any problems. I change my 18" wheels to 17" winter wheels without issue.

[vladman]

Thanks xenon.

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by xenon

You don't have TPMS sensors, the system uses the ABS wheel-speed sensors to detect wheels turning at a different speed if a puncture causes the overall diameter to change. It's a pit crap really but you won't have any problems. I change my 18" wheels to 17" winter wheels without issue.

When did this change?

I was quite surprised to find my 2014 520D does have TPMS so have to assume it is now standard cross the range although looking at the pressures displayed on screen, it's not the most accurate thing in the world.

[xenon]

If individual TPMS sensors are now standard then I can only assume that was done with the LCI update; both F10s I have use the ABS sensors. I've just ordered an F31 so I'll see if that has individual sensors when it turns up.

[gspannu]

F10 started to have TPMS sensors since about Oct 2013 onwards (LCI started in July 2013, so a few months later).
It is now standard, it used to be a paid option earlier...

[SpeedTrip]

I was quite surprised to find my 2014 520D does have TPMS so have to assume it is now standard cross the range although looking at the pressures displayed on screen, it's not the most accurate thing in the world.

Yes, hardly value for money as a substitute for a spare wheel, tyre & Jack !

[xenon]

Originally Posted by gspannu

F10 started to have TPMS sensors since about Oct 2013 onwards (LCI started in July 2013, so a few months later).
It is now standard, it used to be a paid option earlier...

Hmm. I wonder what happens then if you remove wheels (with the TPMS sensors in the valve stems) and replace with older winter wheels without the TPMS sensors. Does it just throw an error on the I-Drive or does it go mental?

My winter wheel set does not have TPMS but I suspect my inbound F31 may very well do.

[dippo]

I think TPMS was around March 2014 - mine was built 1 February 2014 and hasn't got it.

[jamesakano]

There are two systems to monitor the tyres:

1. Using the ABS sensors which detects a change in tyre size, this is the standard monitoring system for us in the UK. This can be vague and cannot be solely relied upon, however still better than nothing.

2. The option of Tyre Pressure Monitor (TPM), (£255 option) that will show in iDrive the exact tyre pressures (and temperatures) for each wheel. Our american friends have this as standard on their BMWs, I think theres some legal aspect to it over there.

Hope that helps.

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by jamesakano

There are two systems to monitor the tyres:

1. Using the ABS sensors which detects a change in tyre size, this is the standard monitoring system for us in the UK. This can be vague and cannot be solely relied upon, however still better than nothing.

2. The option of Tyre Pressure Monitor (TPM), (£255 option) that will show in iDrive the exact tyre pressures (and temperatures) for each wheel. Our american friends have this as standard on their BMWs, I think theres some legal aspect to it over there.

Hope that helps.

Not the case

My car has ZERO options on it. It is as stock as stock gets

Looking in the brochure it does offer up the Tyre pressure monitoring (option 2VB) for £255 as you say but trust me, my stock 520D has this as standard as I am able to dial into iDrive and monitor tyre pressures and temperatures so I am not mistaken.

A quick check with others in the office (we ordered 6 of these via 6 different dealers over the space of a couple of weeks) and they all have it

[AP]

I thought I read somewhere that all new cars (or at least those that have RFTs) have to have a tyre pressure warning system. Which would explain that

[dippo]

This is from a BMW press release:

"Available in future as a standard feature: Tyre pressure indicator for each individual tyre.
Starting in spring, drivers of a BMW will be warned of a loss of tyre pressure more precisely than ever before. A tyre pressure indicator will be offered as a standard equipment feature on all new vehicles of the brand with the exception of the BMW X6. Sensors on all four tyres facilitate an exact and individual monitoring of the pressure in each individual tyre. The tyre pressure currently at hand will be shown in the Control Display or the instrument cluster, respectively, depending on the model and the equipment options customers have chosen. In the event of a loss of tyre pressure, the driver will be made aware of a possible danger well in advance."

A link to the full info:

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...&id=T0164771EN

[gspannu]

Originally Posted by m@rk

Not the case

My car has ZERO options on it. It is as stock as stock gets

Looking in the brochure it does offer up the Tyre pressure monitoring (option 2VB) for £255 as you say but trust me, my stock 520D has this as standard as I am able to dial into iDrive and monitor tyre pressures and temperatures so I am not mistaken.

A quick check with others in the office (we ordered 6 of these via 6 different dealers over the space of a couple of weeks) and they all have it

TPMS became a standard feature sometime after LCI...

[jamesakano]

Atleast a definitive way of knowing if you have the TPMS rather than the ABS one is to check the iDrive. Maybe some could chime in if they can see it on a BMW vin decoder for another certain way of knowing if you have it or not.

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by jamesakano

Atleast a definitive way of knowing if you have the TPMS rather than the ABS one is to check the iDrive. Maybe some could chime in if they can see it on a BMW vin decoder for another certain way of knowing if you have it or not.

So none of the VIN decoders seem to recognise my VIN number however off the BMW UK website, in the owners area I get this

[Equipment Section Subheadline Label]

• Selection of COP-relevant vehicles
• CO2 equipment
• Extra package, EU-speciifc
• Tyres with runflat properties
• Wheel bolt locks
• Tyre pressure display
• Alarm system
• Floor mats velours
• Warning triangle and first aid kit
• rior mirror with automatic-dip
• Smoker package
• Seat heating driver/passenger
• Headlight cleaning system
• Park Distance Control (PDC)
• Navigation system Business
• DAB tuner
• Area-Code 2 for DVD
• Intelligent emergency call
• TELESERVICES
• Control Infotainment
• B
• silver 2
• Dummy-SALAPA
• Omission of non-combined operation
• On-board literature, English
• Dummy-SALAPA
• Coding, alarm signal
• Automatic locking during starting
• Car ident. number visible from outside
• Active pedestrian protection

[AP]

Found this on the national tyre website as a fyi

TPMS legislation

New EU legislation requires all new models of passenger cars sold in the EU to have a TPMS system installed from November 2012, and every new car from 2014. New vehicles fitted with TPMS and first registered from 1st January 2012 will have their TPMS system tested as part of the first MOT test the vehicle has carried out.

The legislation has been driven by environmental concerns as part of the EU’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions, as well as safer motoring.