today the brake malfunction light came on
 

got stuck. i couldnt go anywhere. i called bmw assist and they helped me out in releasing e brak.i drove the x5 to the nearest dealer. hopefiully , i t wil be ready tonight or tomorrow... did this happen to anyone? i always put on my e brake.. should i stop this? could it be the cold weather that maybe snapped the cable? i dont know yet what the problem was that caused this problem.

Known issue.... search !

Lots of threads on situ...
I never quite understood the need for using the E brake on relatively
flat parking surfaces, with auto or, with manual trans.

Software mainly

My sales guy is a douche and the only thing he said to me about the E-Brake is "Don't use it". I then asked where the manual release was if it failed...and he replied "if I told you not to use it, why would you need a manual release".

Can anybody tell me where it is?

He is a douche, and a stupid one on top of that if he told you that... You simply dont talk to customers like that!

The release is in trunk - left-hand side, you need to remove side panel. Then there is a special plastic tool, under the trunk's floor (red ?), which you use to pull a cable (which is behind the panel) to release them.

this is the funniest thing i ever heard!!!!!

Much thanks!!!:thumbup:

Yes...he is a total Douche, but I was willing to swallow the douchiness ofr a deal at invoice on a 4.8...

I happened to me 3 weeks ago.
I had to manually release the hand break.
The fix is a software reprogramming in my case, and it helps if you mention this solution to dealership because it seems most of them are clueless.
Good luck.

Being that my car was built 3 weeks ago, I'd assume I have latest software...no?