[SteezSpink]

I have a 6spd MT '13 335 and my girlfriend didn't put the car in gear when she parked. Our driveway is fairly steep and she got out of the car, opened the trunk (full of groceries) walked around to the other side, opened the back door to get our 2yr old out of her car seat when she heard a pop and the car started rolling.. down our driveway, off a 10ft or so ravine into a creek that we live on.. Thank god no one was hurt but the car is totaled.. From what I'm reading on here the parking brakes on these cars are pretty useless (never really had any issues prior).. Also after talking to the dealership there is no recommended service intervals or inspection during any of the multipoint inspections.. All in all be careful out there if you own one of these and never forget to leave it in gear when parked.. Also get it inspected or adjusted when you get the chance I guess..

[tturedraider]

Wow! Glad to hear no one was hurt! That must have been a pretty scary experience for your girlfriend. Was your daughter still in her car seat when the car started rolling?

A parking brake failure seems pretty unusual. I’ve been around here a really long time and I can’t recall ever reading about a failed parking brake.

Edit: I guess I missed that other thread that you posted in.

[im_an_alien]

Parking brake needs periodic adjustment even though it's allegedly self adjusting.

[Heel328]

I had BMW tighten mine on my last free service, since they tend to get loose over time. I try not to park on hills if possible, but if I do I put it in gear after the parking brake is holding the car, so the car weight is not on the transmission.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

Parking brake needs periodic adjustment even though it's allegedly self adjusting.

Parking brake lever has an auto adjuster, but the brakes themselves are manually adjusted. The shoes wear and need manual adjustment.

The correct way to get an efficient parking brake, is a procedure which disengages the auto adjuster, sets the clearance at the brake shoes, (within the drums) and then release the auto adjuster. Then they work!

[im_an_alien]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Parking brake lever has an auto adjuster, but the brakes themselves are manually adjusted. The shoes wear and need manual adjustment.

The correct way to get an efficient parking brake, is a procedure which disengages the auto adjuster, sets the clearance at the brake shoes, (within the drums) and then release the auto adjuster. Then they work!

Until they need adjusting again...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

Until they need adjusting again...

Every couple of years.

At least the G2x models have adopted the electronic parking brake. They self-adjust.

[pshovest]

Originally Posted by SteezSpink

........ she heard a pop and the car started rolling down our driveway .......

The pop suggests something let go and this isn't an adjustment issue. The handbrake lever latch mechanism failed on my E39 Sport Wagon. Had I been parked on a steep hill my car would have rolled away also.