Parking Brake malfunction

[localmotion411]

With all the other assorted pieces of techno-wizardry in these expensive cars, I wouldn't think it would be a big deal for them to keep a manually operated parking brake but maybe electronically assist it a bit to compensate for the weight of the vehicle. Would probably be a much better solution for all and might not cost any more than the current electronic parking brake does.

I mean, these are driver's cars after all -- the current parking brake belongs in a Lexus.

[ard]

I think weasel nailed it when he explained it is required for the autohold feature.

For competitive reasons, BMW is in the "gizmo arms race" with all the other marques for features the public demands in a "luxury suv".

I am sure somewhere in German engineer/drivers were vocal in their opposition but got voted down....

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ard

Wease- hear you on the autohold. But somehow I've managed to drive a manual car on roads around the world that would stall some cars, and never rolled into the stuff behind me. Seems a price paid in terms of reliability and function simply for the benefit of a shiny feature for consumers enamored with shiny objects...

A

I agree completely with your comments on electronic gadgets that fail and are expensive to replace, while not providing any real benefits.

I think autohold came about as an adjunct to the electronic gear selector, so that there is another way to prevent the vehicle rolling. A silly gear selector design required a just as silly electronic parking brake to avoid liability issues.

I don't think it has to do with rolling back on a hill though. We have two manual transmission BMWs at the moment, and neither has auto-hold, but both have a form of hill holder that maintains application of the service brakes without the brake pedal when you are stopped and depress the clutch, for 5 or so seconds, or until you release the clutch. Works very well. It is like a Mico hydraulic brake lock on trucks, with a quick-release. No separate switch to work it. No connection to the parking brake.

[rh71]

oh goodie now I'm afraid to use autohold too much.

[SkipSauls]

I don't understand the "these are driver's car and therefore they need a manual parking brake" argument. I've had quite a bit of seat time on the track in everything from DEs in street cars to professional racing in 500+ HP GT cars, but I've never once needed a parking brake while driving. Most race cars have the parking brake removed, only retaining it if the class rules require it. On the street the only time I've ever used a parking brake while driving was to do power slides in a snowy parking lot or to hold the car in place while driving a manual.

I do use parking brakes in most cars, including automatics, every time I park. Even that is probably a bit silly in a modern car, but there are worse habits. The X5 is the first car that I've owned that has an electronic parking brake, and I like that it doesn't take up space in the center console. My 335i had the old style manual parking brake, but I'd have gladly traded it for a bit of extra room for my elbow.

[rufusdedog]

Originally Posted by Weasel

1 good thing about it... auto hold feature in traffic.
1 good/bad/ugly thing, when it brakes I get paid to fix it...

There have been problems with the e-brake system on the E70's lately, there is supposedly a known problem with the wiring harness routing, but every one I've worked on ended up needing the parking brake actuator/module replaced.

It will be fixed under warranty if you bring it in, but expect 2 visits... First visit they have to do the BMW required step of rerouting the harness, then bring it back when it acts up again and they will be able to replace the actuator.

Weasel: Is there an SIB on this issue?

[StumpyPete]

Originally Posted by SkipSauls

I don't understand the "these are driver's car and therefore they need a manual parking brake" argument. I've had quite a bit of seat time on the track in everything from DEs in street cars to professional racing in 500+ HP GT cars, but I've never once needed a parking brake while driving. Most race cars have the parking brake removed, only retaining it if the class rules require it. On the street the only time I've ever used a parking brake while driving was to do power slides in a snowy parking lot or to hold the car in place while driving a manual.

I do use parking brakes in most cars, including automatics, every time I park. Even that is probably a bit silly in a modern car, but there are worse habits. The X5 is the first car that I've owned that has an electronic parking brake, and I like that it doesn't take up space in the center console. My 335i had the old style manual parking brake, but I'd have gladly traded it for a bit of extra room for my elbow.

I agree with you on the track but when it comes to rallying a handbrake is absolutely essential for the tight hairpins. I actually used handbrake turns on a couple of occasions in the E53 (it was a very handy technique when turning right or left on a downhill snow covered road).

[SkipSauls]

Originally Posted by StumpyPete

I agree with you on the track but when it comes to rallying a handbrake is absolutely essential for the tight hairpins. I actually used handbrake turns on a couple of occasions in the E53 (it was a very handy technique when turning right or left on a downhill snow covered road).

Got it, I wasn't considering that sort of driving.

Can the electronic brake be used in a "dynamic" fashion by pulling up and pushing down on it? Is it rear wheels only?

[SJCFlyer]

Originally Posted by ard

I think weasel nailed it when he explained it is required for the autohold feature.

For competitive reasons, BMW is in the "gizmo arms race" with all the other marques for features the public demands in a "luxury suv".

I am sure somewhere in German engineer/drivers were vocal in their opposition but got voted down....

But I all think the USA lobby of "though shall have a minimum of 24 cup holders in each vehicle plying the roads of the US" also got involved! The eBrake enabled them to still keep everything neat, and where you'd expect to see/use it!

Mercedes answer? Column stalk shifters Thank, I'll take the eBrake any time!!!

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by rufusdedog

Weasel: Is there an SIB on this issue?

There are a couple basic info SIB's on different issues relating to specific fault codes, but what I described doesn't have a SIB at this time and the info is just incorporated into a test plan in the diagnostic equipment at the dealer.