[BimmerQuest]

I have just under 1200 miles on my '14 335i and love the car. But tonight while parking we heard a very loud POP from beneath the center console. It sounded mechanical in nature. All four of us in the car immediately said "what was THAT?!" My wife and I agreed it was definitely between us and under the center console - between the front seats.

I'm not sure about the exact timing of the noise in relation to the application of the parking brake. But I was immediately nervous about being able to drive again. After dinner the car drove normally. But I kept thinking the only mechanical thing under the center console is pretty important to putting the power down. A Touareg we owned had the drive shaft mount/bearing go bad and put us at substantial risk (big vibrations with potential impalement at speed).

So great internet of things...what could this loud pop/snap sound be?

[rubber_ducky]

I realize that this is an old post, but i heard a similar sound while parking my MT F80 not too long ago. It almost sounded as if a spring let go out something

[maverick83]

I think it could possibly be the self adjusting brakes as the hand brake gets applied. As they wear the hand brake needs adjusting

[EBIINYC]

No, Ive had the same noise during the first few months of owning my car as well. Seems to have disappeared after a while. IDK if its a part wearing or maybe just some mechanical mishap but it does not happen anymore. It was very startling at first, seems like you hit something, I even remember making a post about it.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1067531

[maverick83]

Ive also found that not using the hand brake and then selecting D or R theres a clunk.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by maverick83

Ive also found that not using the hand brake and then selecting D or R theres a clunk.

Most likely the car is sitting with some load on the parking pawl in the gearbox. It is something that has existed for many generations of autos, due to the locking design.

It is best to use the parking brake, off load the foot brake, and then engage park, particularly if we are on a slope where the car will move and load the mechanical components.

Then when you select a gear there won't be any clonk on engagement.

HighlandPete

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by maverick83

I think it could possibly be the self adjusting brakes as the hand brake gets applied. As they wear the hand brake needs adjusting

The automatic handbrake adjuster has been known to jump position, it can be quite a loud bang. Often picked up as a different position on the lever itself.

Can be a random action, if it is regular or handbrake lever is not consistent for engagement, it needs attention.

HighlandPete