Brought my 08 535xi to the dealer twice for this issue: Maybe I'm an idiot for thinking a handbrake should hold the car, but I've noticed that it doesn't work at all. From a stop, foot on footbrake, place car in D, set hand brake, release footbrake, and car just rolls away.

Also, after placing the car in P and setting the hand brake, car rocks back and forth.

Am I wrong?

Or is the dealer just too lazy to just fix the issue? I'm almost out of my free maintenance mileage-wise and I want it fixed!

 

i have 08 535XI, if i put in D and pull hand brake, my car doesnt roll

 

No, you are not wrong. This is not normal and should be fixed with no questions asked.

 

Thank you gentlemen. Will go back to another dealer to have this fixed!

 

I have a 08 535xi. Parking brake holds the car.

 

well how hard are you setting the parking brake... 1 or 2 clicks wont hold a car in D

 

Mine tends to roll also unless I pull it all the way up to the last click. Maybe it needs to just be adjusted. Isn't there some cable/bolt behind the handle that we can just turn to adjust?

 

These handbrakes may require calibrating sometimes - even on new cars. I've had an issue once, where the handbrake would bare engage at all on the last click - took the car to a dealer and had them "reprogram" it, been fine ever since. If I were you, I'd go to the dealer asap and explain to them that this is NOT normal and they should check their manuals on E60 handbrake if they think otherwise. I can't imagine why any dealer would have any issues fixing this for you - especially, you are under warranty - they make money from it It may be a sign for you to find a different dealer, or at least avoid the SA that wasn't diligent enough with your car.

Good Luck and keep us posted

 

I'm actually counting between 4-5 clicks and still no effective hand brake engagement.

And what is the deal with stealerships in NoVA? Fairfax would not acknowledge the issue and Arlington won't call me back for an appointment! Maybe I'll have to wait to get back to NJ to get this fixed.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

I guess I'm confused. You took it to the dealer. You pull the handle. It doesn't hold the car. How can that be denied by the service department?