G05
BMW X5
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04-12-2026LAST POST
04-11-2026
Good morning everyone,

I have come across some of the G05 thermoelectric cup holders and am currently working on a project to be able to retrofit them to my much older, much less equipped E30. There are a few options for cupholders for these cars and while they are well and good I find myself as I often do with too much time on my hands.

I am unfamiliar with newer BMWs and their LIN system, so please bear with me and correct me where I have gone wrong.

GOAL:
I would like to make a plug and play kit where a aftermarket module can plug directly into the cup holder and all you have to do is feed it 12V.

From what I understand the cup holder communicates with BDC_BODY3 7083. From a post by roxxor, I see that the THCH_VERBAUT line can be edited from 'Nicht Aktiv' to 'Active'. Does this line change enable the ECU to begin to control the cup holders or does this just enable a 5V signal to be sent to the cup holders enabling the feature? If anyone has this and maybe and oscilloscope it would be huge to see what type of signal is coming out of that LIN line.

Any advice from those more familiar with the system would be appreciated. Thanks!
04-12-2026
Honestly if you're trying to integrate this into older generations, might be easier and cleaner to just design your own system. Use some small TEC (thermoelectric cooler) and a simple circuit, supply 12V, etc. No need to integrate anything other than power from the vehicle.
04-12-2026
Just use a Stanley or similar vacuum lined cup to keep you drinks cold for hours, buy one of the 12v cups on Amazon and move on