[Musti3000]

Hey all,

Is there any way to activate the cup holder lighting strip? Unfortunaly all ICE models in Europe are without this function currently.

Thank you all!

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by Musti3000

Hey all,

Is there any way to activate the cup holder lighting strip? Unfortunaly all ICE models in Europe are without this function currently.

Thank you all!

I looked in my new 540i I just picked up Monday in Spain. I don't see any way to de-activate it, so IDK about activating. You drive a 520, so I don't know if it even has it. Do you have the interaction bar? I don't think the 530's in the US have the cup holder lighting either, because they don't have the interaction bar. I could be mistaken though.

[DomiGijzen]

The lights are probably there as the cupholder has the translucent rings. We'll have to wait till someone investigates and opens the cupholder to see what's in there. And then, we need to wait a bit more till they find a way to code the new CPUs. If ever....

[dubb13]

Yeah that's kind of a bummer that they left that out I don't mind not having the interactive bar but they could have lit up the cup holder I think that was the dumbest thing they did to the US 530 I feel that was a tactic for you to buy the 540 because in the g30s the ambient lighting was the same across all five series

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by DomiGijzen

The lights are probably there as the cupholder has the translucent rings. We'll have to wait till someone investigates and opens the cupholder to see what's in there. And then, we need to wait a bit more till they find a way to code the new CPUs. If ever....

I'm pretty sure the translucent rings are there because BMW is not going to use different parts if they don't have to. But the question is....are there LED's attached to the rings, and is there anywhere to connect them to. Because I am pretty sure they connect to the Interactive bar. No interactive bar, no connection for the rings.

[DomiGijzen]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

I'm pretty sure the translucent rings are there because BMW is not going to use different parts if they don't have to. But the question is....are there LED's attached to the rings, and is there anywhere to connect them to. Because I am pretty sure they connect to the Interactive bar. No interactive bar, no connection for the rings.

I'm not an expert. But based on what I read: There is a possibility that the regular bar and the interaction bar use the same connection and listen to the same commands (LIN). Same for the leds in the cupholder.

Makes sense to me. BMW can keep the same cables and software in place and just use the regular bar until they can source enough interaction bars again.

But I'm not going to take my car apart to find out

[dubb13]

That would be nice to get that on maybe some will do it one day

[dubb13]

I know this has been disgust before though but I still really don't understand why BMW didn't put the ambient lighting across all g60s the same I mean you can't even option out the interactive bar in the 530 like me I didn't need a 540

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by dubb13

I know this has been disgust before though but I still really don't understand why BMW didn't put the ambient lighting across all g60s the same I mean you can't even option out the interactive bar in the 530 like me I didn't need a 540

From what I recall about this discussion earlier in the year, it was a supply side related issue initially, and their supplier couldn’t produce them in sufficient quantities, so they ended up with the non-interactive version.

As time has gone by, my assumption is that they’re not really motivated to offer the lighting upgrades because they literally make no money on them, and make more money without them.

If they offered as a option for the 530, then people might buy it, I think, but in all honesty at the price point of the 530 it should be standard.

[dubb13]

Well said

[dubb13]

If for the most part I don't need the interactive bar but they could have put the lighting in the cup holder in the storage pockets on the doors that has nothing to do with the interactive bar

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by dubb13

If for the most part I don't need the interactive bar but they could have put the lighting in the cup holder in the storage pockets on the doors that has nothing to do with the interactive bar

Absolutely! Especially since vehicles that are less expensive and less impressive have them.

[dubb13]

I feel that was a way also to get people to buy the 540

[MiGs550e]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

I'm pretty sure the translucent rings are there because BMW is not going to use different parts if they don't have to. But the question is....are there LED's attached to the rings, and is there anywhere to connect them to. Because I am pretty sure they connect to the Interactive bar. No interactive bar, no connection for the rings.

IMO BMW would use different parts and that part in the 530 may actually not be translucent if it's cheaper. My guess is the translucent part is one assembly with LED permanently fixed to the part, thus making it more expensive and thus probably not what is installed in the 530. Also BMW is notorious for not having the wiring harness that feed options that aren't installed at the time of build. Again coper is expensive just to hang there not being used form a cost prospective. This is just like adding any other BMW option that did not get selected on the build order and would require a retrofit wiring harness installed.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by dubb13

I feel that was a way also to get people to buy the 540

It's definitely marketing at work, but for me, after driving the two back-to-back, the B58 smack down factor was what instantly demonstrated the personality differences between the two.

[dubb13]

I can live with our it

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by dubb13

I feel that was a way also to get people to buy the 540

I don't know if I belive that one. The 540 has been in short supply since they started the G60. The 540 (For Now, at least) is USA only. And they did not roll it out at the same time as the 530 and I5. I believe it was to boost the BEV sales, but give a cheaper option in the 530 for those who did not want to go Electric, or couldn't afford it, but still wanted a 5er as entry level to BMW or moving up from a 3 series. No other country has it. In the EU they have the 520i and 520d, some countries have the 530i and 530e. the 550e has the same B58 engine that the 540 does, but in a Plug-in Hybrid.

From what I understand all the 520i 530i iterations have the regular ambient lighting strip and not the interaction bar.

There are very few 2024 540i in existence. Most, were custom orders. I'm sure some f the high-volume dealers got some on spec. Some of them are still in delivery to the dealers due to stop sales for the IBM or Steering Spindle.

For 2025 MY it seems like the majority of them ended up as week 36 production and beyond. I'm not sure of any priors, but there were not many, and a lot were held back under various guises (QC Hold, etc...). Speculation suggests it was to not overshadow the existing MY 2024 540i undelivered orders, and new 550e orders in the US. Mine, as far as I know, is the very first Week 36 build, MY 2025 540iX to be delivered. But I am a special case. Since I ordered a US Spec vehicle, to be delivered in Spain under the Military Sales Program, and it would not have to compete with sales in the US.

[Musti3000]

UPDATE!
I have found a Video where this Cup holder light was retrofitted even though this car doesnt have a Interaction bar

Here the youtube link:
https://youtube.com/shorts/RqsoFUhas...OWdLVQplbsuQo9