New member intro and quick wheel question
 

Hello...

I have read the forum on and off since last year. About 8 months ago I purchased a 2011 X5 diesel with a long list of options and love it. I sold an 05 Range Rover and for a while I missed it and had second thoughts about the BMW. In time I came to love the X5 and the fuel economy/torque is fantastic. I also love the Idrive interface and reliability (so far!).

**Now for the question: I have the 18 inch standard wheels. I wish to swap them with someone I met who has the 20 inch Y wheels. I want the sportier look and he wants better traction in snow, etc. His X5 is a 2008 4.8. We are trying to figure out if we can just swap the wheels whole or if we need to break them down and have the sensors swapped. I called Discount Tire and they think the sensors need to be swapped. I looked online and there is an online store selling the same sensor for both model years. Does anyone know? I called a local BMW dealer and they did not know off hand and no one who knew was available.

Thanks!

Don
Seattle, WA
BMW X5 Diesel
Noble M12 GTO-3R

..also does anyone know how long the batteries last in the TPMS sensors? On my wife's Carrera they were replaced under the certified warranty when they batteries started to die after 4 years. My X5 is out of warranty with 53k now. Wondering how long they last on the X5's so I know what to expect. thx

OEM TPMS Sensors are different from 2008 and 2011.
I bought a set of 18" wheels for winter which came from a 2008 and had to replace for my 2011 X5d. They are outlined in realoem as different part numbers as well.

There are some aftermarket ones which do claim to work for a range of years. I guess it is at your own risk.

I purchased rs teknic TPMS monitors initially before I went OEM. My wheel installer couldn't get them to properly fit the 18" rim so I ended up ordering a set of 2011 TPMS.

You need the production date of your 2011 X5 diesel: if it was BEFORE 10/10 (Oct 2010), yours will use the same sensor as all e70's before that date. AFTER 10/10 BMW switched sensors. So if yours was built after 10/10, you will not be able to use the 08 wheels with the factory sensors.

See also BavarianX ... supplier of BERU TPMS sensors - an OEM supplier to BMW.

Not trying to steal someones thread but I also have a question about wheels. I have an 07 with the sport package. Will 18's fit on it for winter? I haven't found a definite answer anywhere.

yes they will fit with no issues, and this is the smallest you can go.


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Thanks for the quick response

I bought the RS Technik sensors off of eBay for my 2011 and they work just fine. I went to 20" rims and left the standard 18's with OEM sensors as my winter setup. I've had ongoing vibration issues with the 20's; they are not OEM and I regret putting the money into them. When I can afford it I will be going back to a OEM 20" set.

Which brand 20" rims (style, model, size?) did you get? Pics?

Thanks for sharing.

I got mine from eBay - the member is still selling them:

20" BMW x3 x5 x6 Gun Metal Wheels Rims E70 E71 E53 | eBay

[IMG]http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...Untitled-1.jpg[/IMG]

I was in a bind, I had bought a set of X6 wheels, had the rears bored out and then had vibration issues that wouldn't go away as well - think the shop messed the boring up. The vibration I get is about from 55 to 65. Honestly I love the look, but having 20" wheels here in Portland where the roads are just crap is pretty painful.