Possible parking brake seizing?

[GnarlyCow]

I bought this car in April and this problem has only happened twice so it doesn't happen often. It does concern me greatly when it happens though.

After the car has been parked for a few days, when I go to drive away (in 1st or in reverse), the car won't move. I can feel the gears grab and it feels like the rear end of the car lifts slightly....but I still go nowhere.

I take my foot off the gas, then giggle the parking brake a bunch of times thinking that it didn't release and try again. Still no movement. This time I rev a little higher (now about to launch the car at 4500rpm) and all of a sudden, there is a loud BANG sound and the car goes....and then drives fine.

I called the dealer to ask him about it and he says that he thinks the parking brake is not releasing because of rust or something. He said that chances are, it was wet when it was parked and the rust forms over the few days I leave my car parked. I asked if there was anything I could do to fix this so it wouldn't happen anymore, and he said no.

This sounds a little shady to me. If it is the parking brake rusting, then why isn't there some anti-rust spray or something they can do to prevent this. I am worried that by having to rev so high to get it to move when this happens, that something is going to get damaged (warping the rotors, etc.).

Does anyone else have this problem?

[peterkulesza]

the rust on the rotors is bull^&*(% and does not matter.

it is likely however, that indeed there is rust or dirt on the levers and the links to the parking brake. i'd silicone lube everything in sight, following from the sheath of the cable attached to the lever you pull inside the car, down to the attachment at the rear brakes. this should alleviate the problem.

[seelinger]

Not sure what the underlying issue is but this is directly from the BMW Owners manual:

To avoid corrosion and one-sided braking,
apply the parking brake lightly from
time to time when coasting to a standstill
(at a traffic signal, for instance), provided
that it is safe to do so.

This might clean up anything that may be casuing it to stick if that is the case. It does not cost a dime and its worth a try.