RASPBERRY Pi CAR PROJECT - REPLACING CLASSIC BMW OBC
What happens when 80’s tech meets modern DIY? You get a Raspberry Pi car project that breathes new life into your project car—without breaking the bank.
If you’ve ever driven a BMW E30, you probably love the retro charm of its onboard computer (OBC). But let’s be honest—40-year-old LCD displays and clunky buttons don’t live forever.
That’s why we rebuilt ours with a Raspberry Pi, LCD screen, and a custom 3D-printed faceplate that fits the original slot like a glove.
This guide walks you through exactly how we built a smarter, cleaner, and way more capable version of the original BMW OBC—and how you can do it too.
PARTS LIST:
Here’s the full breakdown of what we’re using:
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W – The compact brain of the project, handling logic and display
2.2" PiTFT HAT LCD – LCD display and 4-button interface
Custom 3D-Printed E30 OBC Case – Designed to fit the factory OBC slot printed with ASA filament on the Bambu Lab X1C
Witty Pi 4 – Smart power management with DC to DC power converter
Wires & Connectors – For routing power from the fuse box and connecting the buttons if needed
THE 80’s ON-BOARD COMPUTER
The factory OBC on the BMW E30 was groundbreaking for its time. It came in two flavors, a 6 button and 13 button unit with tons of different features.
Here’s a comparison of features between the stock OBC and Raspberry Pi Car LCD setup:
BMW E30 OBC |
RASPBERRY PI OBC |
| 🕒 Clock | |
|---|---|
| Digital 12/24hr | ✅ Custom digital clock |
| 🌡 Temperature Display | |
| External sensor | ✅ Digital onboard sensor |
| ⏱ Stopwatch / Timer | |
| Lap/countdown modes | ✅ Modern stopwatch |
| ⛽️ Range / Fuel Consumption | |
| Yes (13-button version only) | 🔜 Future update |
| 🔐 Code / Lock Function | |
| Yes – ignition disable code | ❌ Not included |
| 🌍 Language Options | |
| English/German | ✅ Fully customizable |
| 💡 Backlight / Visibility | |
| Dim Fixed Color LCD | ✅ Bright TFT LCD |
| 🔘 Button Interface | |
| 6 or 13 Membrane buttons | 4 Tactile push buttons |
| 🚀 Expandability | |
| None | ✅ WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, more |
| 🛠 Repairability | |
| Hard to repair, rare parts | ✅ Easy to repair/modular |
Our goal? Create a drop-in replacement that mounts up to the old OBC screw holes
Match the stock look with ASA 3d printed filament
Displays real-time temperature, clock, and lap time functions.
Power on/off automatically with the ignition
Runs on Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
The best part? You don’t need to rewire your whole car or hack the dash apart.
HOW IT WORKS
This Raspberry Pi car project hinges on a few key principles:
The Brains: The Raspberry Pi Zero 2w connects to the 2.2” PiTFT display.
LCD & Buttons: The 2.2" PiTFT display fits cleanly behind a smoked acrylic lens. Four tactile buttons trigger different views—just like the original.
Smart Power: The Witty Pi 4 connects to the PiTFT and Raspberry Pi Zero. It can sense voltage bump (from ~12.6V to 13.8V) when the car starts, automatically booting the Pi. When the engine shuts off, it initiates a safe shutdown based on the voltage drop.
Compact Build: The 3D-printed case is modeled to slide right into the E30’s OBC slot using the same mounting points.
Custom Software: We’re running a lightweight Python-based UI that shows real-time data like outside temp, a digital clock, and a lap-style stopwatch.
Future updates with a modular Raspberry Pi can include features like GPS sync, voltage monitoring, or other sensor add-ons.
Best of all? It’s built for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts—and it honors the E30's legacy without sacrificing your weekend wrenching vibes.
BUILD IT YOURSELF OR BUY A KIT?
We’re working on offering pre-printed enclosures and plug-and-play kits for those who want to skip sourcing parts individually.
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Get notified when the kit becomes available.
LEARN TO DESIGN AND 3D PRINT
If you want to learn how to design your own parts check out our guide on using Shapr3d here.
If you need help selecting a 3d printer use our 3d printer selector tool:
3D PRINTER SELECTOR TOOL v1
So next time someone tells you the E30’s tech is outdated, tell them you upgraded it—with a Pi.