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?

The manual release is located at the rear left hand side of the car in one of the compartments in the boot(trunk).
If you go through the manual, you will find instruction on how to do it. Sorry, I'm work or else I would have quoted the particular page for you.

Edit:
Page 63 in your manual.

Elvism, what is the production date / month of your '08? And have you ever had a firmware update at any point? Supposedly a March '08 bulletin addressed this.

And yes there've been tons of threads on this including the workaround of using it only after the engine is off. I've found though that it slips a bit on an incline causing undue weight on the brake if you use it after, as opposed to while the engine is still on. I've been trying to make it happen on purpose at my convenience.

Is your dealer going to put the latest firmware on?

I am sure you are fine.

my X5 was built on week 45.. i got my vin on 10/26/07 and took delivery on 11-17-07

It seems yours was built around the same period as mine.
I can't remember exactly the date but it was built in November 07 and I took delivery of it 1st week of Dec 07.
Have you gotten it reprogrammed with the new software?

its getting reprogrammed today.. service guy told me its going to take a few hours to do.

My X was built probably around a month after yours and I had this problem before. I took it to the dealer and the software update was done. I haven't had this problem since then.

:thumbup::thumbup:
Did they diagnose it as a software problem or you had to mention it to them?
Did you figure out how to manually unlock the hand break just in case?

Mine was built 2 months after yours but haven't had the problem though it looks like I'm just as vulnerable. I am trying to cause it to happen everytime I arrive home (the most opportune time). Does it ever get stuck without restarting the vehicle? For instance, I pull into the driveway, and while the engine is still on, I pull the ebrake, then release it... does it ever get stuck that way or does it only get stuck the next time you start the vehicle and try the release?

they told me it was a software problem.. i also figured out the release button since i had bmw assist on the phone

got the X back and e- brake problem fixed but when i
 

was driving back home i noticed the harzard symbol on and thought maybe i just needed to turn off truck to reset.. well i did turn if off and then i notice the sunroof went into malfunction model..wtf!! the sunroof only tilts w/ the inside cover closed. it wont open from the inside.. nothing!! dealer was closed by this time and now i have to wait until tomorrrow...blows

i took it in today and they rest the sunroof.. 1 min job
 

:thumbup:

Problem solved?

its all good now!!!
 

thanks for asking

hi mate, I had the same problem one month ago. I called 0400 bmw number and the guy told me how to release it manually..actually it is on the manual. after that he told me to go to the nearest bmw service center, I waited for two hours, the service guy told me there is a electronic part was not working, they need to order it oversea which takes 1 week working time, he also said he will call me when the electronic stuff is arrive. but I never got a call after that......

I just don't believe the bmw service center... do they have enough experience or knowledge to do their jobs?????

funny thing is, after they check my car, the yellow malfunction light was off. and the brake works just fine..what the problem with it? software? hardware? I have no idea........

they just had to reset computer.. it took them a few hours to do this job.. i did hear or see anything about it being a hardware problem.. they even through in a free oil change even though i had one done about 1500 miles ago..