Winter/All Season Tyre Help Please

[RobX3]

Would any used sets be likely to have these sensors already installed?

[CondorX5]

Possibly, possibly not.  You have a 66plate car so will definitely need the sensors.  With these new cars, it is no longer quite as simple as buying some cheap used alloys and bunging a set of cheaply sourced tyres on them, like I have done with our old E53 for years. 
If you go on the BMW UK website there is a wheel and tyre configurator for winter and summers wheels for your car -it will give the BMW recommended tyre makes and sizes and also show the alloys they suggest.  No need the pay the £2200 then - you can then source the right tyres / wheels, although the TPMS may still be an issue which will need ££££ to be fitted and coded via dealer.  The tyres must be star rated though, or your warranty will be affected if you ever need to claim from BMW, they will use non-star rated tyres as a wiggle out of everything excuse not to cover any transmission repairs.

[Pinewood]

We had a guy on another forum buy the sensors from a reputable Ebay seller and they didn’t work on his X3. I went straight to BMW , and they cost £400. The first batch fitted didn’t work and so the car kept warning me of an issue.
They made the mistake of using a generic set of TPMS sensors.
2nd tome round they used my VIN, and the pressure was picked up within a mile.
Cheapest way I can see is to buy the standard winter set and have them fitted. £700 has given me a great winter set, and saves the expensive 19” alloys (not to mention tyres) from the winter salts etc
I took them off at home, cleaned inspected and gave them a nice polish/seal ready for next spring.
The winter tyres should will see me through this year, and possibly next (depending on mileage)

[X5Sport]

Sometimes Dealers have sets appear on new cars where the owner doesn’t want them and you can get a good deal.  My X6 set came that way.  Brand new, delivery mileage 19” inc RFTs for just £500.  And BMW store them for me 

[simonfr]

[quote="Pinewood"]
We had a guy on another forum buy the sensors from a reputable Ebay seller and they didn’t work on his X3. I went straight to BMW , and they cost £400. The first batch fitted didn’t work and so the car kept warning me of an issue.
They made the mistake of using a generic set of TPMS sensors.
[/quote]

You'll be talking about me, from BMWLander

I didn't get a chance to follow up on that thread as the forum went down, but the eBay seller has been brilliant and admitted to sending me out the wrong set of sensors. They've since sent replacements and they're working just fine. I'm expecting a refund of the extra fitting costs incurred from them on Monday. Can't really say fairer than that as mistakes do happen.

The technology in them isn't particularly hi tech. They send out signals on the 433.92Mhz range, which is the same as a lot of tech used in home automation systems. As long as the sensors are sending out the right codes with each transmission of the pressures then the F25 X3 will pick them up without having to have the sensors coded to the vehicle.

So, for less than half the dealer costs I now have a set of sensors that work with my car. Yes, slightly frustrated that there was even an issue to begin with, but mistakes happen and I've been impressed with the sellers resolution process. I doubt they'd make this mistake often as they'll be out of business in no time if they did.

Simon

[Pinewood]

[quote="simonfr"]
[quote="Pinewood"]
We had a guy on another forum buy the sensors from a reputable Ebay seller and they didn’t work on his X3. I went straight to BMW , and they cost £400. The first batch fitted didn’t work and so the car kept warning me of an issue.
They made the mistake of using a generic set of TPMS sensors.
[/quote]

You'll be talking about me, from BMWLander

I didn't get a chance to follow up on that thread as the forum went down, but the eBay seller has been brilliant and admitted to sending me out the wrong set of sensors. They've since sent replacements and they're working just fine. I'm expecting a refund of the extra fitting costs incurred from them on Monday. Can't really say fairer than that as mistakes do happen.

The technology in them isn't particularly hi tech. They send out signals on the 433.92Mhz range, which is the same as a lot of tech used in home automation systems. As long as the sensors are sending out the right codes with each transmission of the pressures then the F25 X3 will pick them up without having to have the sensors coded to the vehicle.

So, for less than half the dealer costs I now have a set of sensors that work with my car. Yes, slightly frustrated that there was even an issue to begin with, but mistakes happen and I've been impressed with the sellers resolution process. I doubt they'd make this mistake often as they'll be out of business in no time if they did.

Simon
[/quote]

Excellent result Simon. How much did you pay for the sensors and who is the Ebay seller. Good information for other F25 owners.

[simonfr]

[quote="Pinewood"]
Excellent result Simon. How much did you pay for the sensors and who is the Ebay seller. Good information for other F25 owners.
[/quote]

Valves are £43.95 each, made by HUF, and the eBay seller is the-wheel-shop.

Simon

[RobX3]

Has anyone had the X3 with the Michelin Primacy 3 tyres and switched for another type of summer tyre and found them much better in ice and snow? imo the michelin primacy 3 tyres are extremely dangerous in the snow and ice.

[Pinewood]

Are Michelin Primacy 3’s a summer tyre? My Pirelli P zero Rosso’s are but wouldn’t call them dangerous on a X Drive

[RobX3]

Yep summer tyres and absolutely lethal, just yesterday i turned to go around a bend and the vehicle goes straight onwards.

[notyalc]

I would suggest that it is a wide low profile tyre issue, rather than brand specific.
It is worth remembering that 4 WD might allow you to go faster, but you cannot stop or corner any faster!

[Pinewood]

It’s not the profile as mine are 245/45/19 and 275/40/19 summers and I don’t get the same lose of traction the OP experiences.
I guess the Michelin tread pattern doesn’t grip as well as my Pirelli’s do or maybe the tread depth is lower. I bought mine this year so still at 7mm

[StuBeeDoo]

[quote="simonfr"]
@RobX3 - 18", and that was on my F11! They were superb.
Had my first real test of the Sotozeros this morning and I don't rate them. Pavement outside my drive is on a very slight (and I mean slight) incline. I turned up the incline passing over the pavement and I had zero grip. Tried a few times, but didn't make it until I decided to just keep going straight until I got to the road. Sheet black ice, and even at exceptionally low speed I had no grip. I don't believe I've faced conditions like this in my 20+ years driving.
Having just written the above, wife has Dunlop Wintersport 4D and she had a marginally better experience (F30) this morning. She's on 17" rims.
[/quote]
I wouldn't condemn the Sottozeros for that.  On black ice the only grip you'll get is from studs.

[RobX3]

For the benefit of anyone else who comes across this post looking for winter wheel information this is what I have done
Purchased a set of BMW style 304 17" wheels from eBay with part worn Pirelli Sottozero tyres for £350.00. these did not include TPMS sensors so I got them myself from TPMS warehouse for £45:00 each (these come with all the valves, washers and bits and pieces needed to fit, pre-programmed ready to install) I took the wheels and sensors to a tyre place this morning, they fitted the sensors and checked each one was activated and balanced each wheel for £70.00. so roughly about £600.00 for the whole job.
Had heavy snow this morning and the return journey from the tyre place was so much fun, driving along the Moors ploughing through the snow.  I did a few tests of stopping on steep hills to attempt to get going again,it did it easily. These have been the best money well spent ever!!!! Summer wheels are now all cleaned up wrapped in old curtains in my shed until summer.

[Pinewood]

Thought I had done well with spending £700 for a complete winter setup and 7mm tread all round 

I would suggest everyone invest in winter tyres, as the difference in traction is amazing. We have long dark winters in the UK, never mind the "beast from the East" currently being experienced