So I got some new mini wheels for my wife's 2011 Mini Cooper not really knowin a whole lot about the tpms system. I kind of assumed all minis came with tpms and they were all compatible. I've learned now that's not the case. So I have determined the wheels I got are from a first gen mini convertible and do not have tpms equipped. My question is can the sensors from the stock wheels be put on these wheels? If so is there a write up somewhere for removing them? Do the tires have to be unmounted?

 

Yes tired do need to be unmounted, there located behind the valve stem on the inside if the rim I believe

 

Yeah your best bet is to take the sensors off the wheels that originally came on your wife's car and have them installed in the new ones, and yeah you'll have to have the tires removed to get to the sensors unfortunately. It's a good thing you still have the original wheels with the sensors...some places will charge you an arm and a leg for those things.

 

So putting sensors on the wheels that never had sensors to begin with wont be a problem?

 

I don't think you can fit sensor to wheels which were not designed to take them.

 

I don't see why not? They're basically little computer chips that are glued in place on the inside of the rim and all they do is monitor psi....I dont think companies like Tire Rack would have as much business as they do if that were the case...wheel companies design wheels that can be cross referenced with different vehicles. Some require the sensors, some do not. I could be wrong, but I've seen more than a few Coopers on here with wheels off of E30 bmws and I know for sure they werent designed to have tpms sensors....I dont think all of those owners have their warning light lit up all winter while they have those wheels on their cars...

 

The sensors on 1st gen mini's are in the antilock brake system. The 2007 - 2010 Mini's have the sensors in the valve stems. While the 2011 and 2012 sensors are in the valve stem also, they are not compatible with a 2007 - 2010 model system. Yes, the sensors from the 2011 will fit in the 1st gen wheels. There was a change in bolt diameter though in that the diameter went from 12mm to 14mm in late 2006. You should check to see if the bolts fit in the wheel bolt holes. I believe that I have read that they will.......still others say they won't. Also, the wheels do not have to be completely broken down to get at the TPMS. The bead can be broken ....the TPMS pulled out.....new valve stems put in the wheels....and resealed. They can then be used as is, although the light will come on your dashboard as the system is not reading any sensor. They will be good backups though.

 

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...nitor_set.html

MINI Cooper TPMS Monitor Set

don't ask me why the MINI set costs so much more than other cars where the sensors typically run about $30 a wheel . . . (just do a google search)

 

I got a set for my 2012 MCS from Tire rack.
Do you have a local shop of some kind that can tell you if your wheels are compatible with the newer style TPMS?
If they are, have them installed and then follow the instructions in your manual to reset the system. It's pretty easy.