Change Car Handbrake Cable BMW 3-Series

Change Car Handbrake Cable

Very easy 0h30–0h30 ~50£
Estimated time 0h30–0h30
Estimated labour cost ~50£
Difficulty Very easy
Vehicles
3-Series 1982-1995 15
  • 316 Petrol (M10B18)
  • 316i Petrol (M10B18)
  • 316i Petrol (M40B16)
  • 318i Petrol (M10B18)
  • 318i Petrol (M40B18)
  • 318is Petrol (M42B18)
  • 320i Petrol (M20B20)
  • 320i Petrol (M20B20)
  • 320is Petrol (S14B20)
  • 323i Petrol (M20B23)
  • 323i Petrol (M20B23)
  • 325e Petrol (M20B27)
  • 325i, -ix Petrol (M20B25)
  • M3 Petrol (S14B23)
  • M3 Petrol (S14B23)
3-Series 1990-2000 15
  • 316g (65/75 kW) CNG,Petrol (M43B16)
  • 316i (73/75 kW) Petrol (M40B16)
  • 316i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B16)
  • 318i (83/85 kW) Petrol (M40B18)
  • 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B18)
  • 318is Petrol (M42B18)
  • 318is, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M44B19)
  • 320i Petrol (M50B20)
  • 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20)
  • 323i Petrol (M52B25)
  • 323ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU)
  • 325i Petrol (M50B25)
  • 328i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B28)
  • M3 GT Petrol (S50B30)
  • M3 Petrol (S50B30)
3-Series 1998-2007 26
  • 316 Ci Petrol (M43B16TU)
  • 316i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B19TU)
  • 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N40B16)
  • 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N45B16)
  • 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N42B18A)
  • 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B18A)
  • 316ti Petrol (N40B16)
  • 318 Ci Petrol (N46B20)
  • 318d Diesel (M47D20)
  • 318d, -td Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 318i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B19TU)
  • 318i, -ti, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N42B20)
  • 318i, -ti, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20)
  • 320d Diesel (M47D20)
  • 320d, -Cd Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 320d, -td, -Cd Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 320i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20TU)
  • 320i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B22)
  • 323i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU)
  • 325i, -xi, -ti, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B25)
  • 328i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B28TU)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (M57D30)
  • 330d, -xd, -Cd Diesel (M57D30TU)
  • 330i, -xi, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B30)
  • M3 CSL Petrol (S54B32)
  • M3, -LPG LPG,Petrol (S54B32)
3-Series 2005-2013 44
  • 316d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 316i Petrol (N43B16A)
  • 316i Petrol (N45B16A)
  • 318d Diesel (M47D20TU2uL)
  • 318d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 318d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 318i Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 318i Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20B)
  • 320d Diesel (M47D20TU2OL)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -Xd Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -Xd M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320i Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 320i Petrol (N46B20B)
  • 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20B)
  • 320Si, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N45B20A)
  • 323i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 323i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 323i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 325d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 325d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 325i Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 325i, -Xi Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 325i, -Xi Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 325i, -Xi, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 328i, -Xi Petrol (N51B30A)
  • 330d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 330i, -Xi Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 330i, -Xi Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 330i, -Xi Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 335d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 335d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 335i, -Xi Petrol (N54B30A)
  • 335i, -Xi Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 335is Petrol (N54B30A)
  • M3 GTS/CRT Petrol (S65B44A)
  • M3 Petrol (S65B40A)
3-Series 2011-2020 35
  • 316d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 316d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 316i Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 318i Petrol (B38B15A)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320i EfficientDynamics, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 320i Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 320i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 320i, -xDrive, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N20B20B)
  • 325d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 325d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 325d Diesel (N47D20D)
  • 328i Petrol (N26B20A)
  • 328i, -xDrive Petrol (N20B20A)
  • 330d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 330d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 330e PHEV Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 330i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 335d xDrive Diesel (N57D30B)
  • 335i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 335i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 335i, -xDrive Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 340i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (B58B30A)
  • 340i, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30A)
  • Active Hybrid 3 Electricity,Petrol (N55B30A)
  • M3 Petrol (S55B30A)
  • M3 Petrol (S55B30A)
3-Series 2019-2025 21
  • 316d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 316d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 318d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 318d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 318i Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 320d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 320e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 320i Petrol (B48B16A)
  • 320i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 320i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 330d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • 330d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30A)
  • 330e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 330e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20B+GC1)
  • 330i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B)
  • M3 Competition, -xDrive Petrol (S58B30A)
  • M3 Petrol (S58B30B)
  • M340d mHev xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • M340i mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Petrol (B58B30B+JA1)
  • M340i, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30B)
Check the parking brake* 0h30
Adjust the parking brake 0h30–0h45
Check the brake pedal travel 0h30
Check the parking brake shoes 0h30
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable 1h30–3h30
Renew the left parking brake cable 1h30–3h30
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable 1h30–3h30
Renew the right parking brake cable 1h30–3h30
Remove/refit both parking brake cables 1h30–3h30
Renew both parking brake cables 1h30–3h30
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable (disc brakes) (rear axle) 1h30–2h00
Renew the left parking brake cable (disc brakes) (rear axle) 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable (disc brakes) (rear axle) 1h30–2h00
Renew the right parking brake cable (disc brakes) (rear axle) 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit both parking brake cables (brake discs) (rear axle) 2h00–2h30
Renew both parking brake cables (disc brakes) (rear axle) 2h00–2h30
Remove/refit the parking brake cable 1h30–3h30
Renew the parking brake cable 1h30–3h30
Check the parking brake cable* 0h30
Repair the handbrake cable* 0h30–5h00
Lubricate the parking brake cable* 0h30
Remove/refit the parking brake lever 0h45–2h30
Renew the parking brake lever 0h45–2h30
Repair the parking brake lever 0h30
Remove/refit the parking brake shoes 1h30–2h00
Renew the parking brake shoes 1h30–2h00
Clean the parking brake shoes* 0h30
Mechanical parking brake* 0h30–3h00
Difficult parking brake cable removal* 0h30
Check the parking brake cable 0h30
Check the brake pedal travel * 0h30
Check the parking brake shoes* 0h30
Repair the parking brake lever* 0h30
Clean the parking brake shoes 0h30
Repair the handbrake cable 0h30
Mechanical parking brake 0h30
Check the parking brake 0h30
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable (Estate, Saloon) 1h30
Renew the left parking brake cable (Estate, Saloon) 1h30
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable (Estate, Saloon) 1h30–2h00
Renew the right parking brake cable (Estate, Saloon) 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit both parking brake cables (Estate, Saloon) 1h30–2h00
Renew both parking brake cables (Estate, Saloon) 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit the parking brake lever rubber handle 0h30–0h30
Renew the parking brake lever rubber handle 0h30–0h30
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable Hatchback, 3 doors 1h30
Renew the left parking brake cable Hatchback, 3 doors 1h30
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable Hatchback, 3 doors 1h30
Renew the right parking brake cable Hatchback, 3 doors 1h30
Remove/refit both parking brake cables Hatchback, 3 doors 2h00
Renew both parking brake cables Hatchback, 3 doors 2h00
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable Convertible 1h30
Renew the left parking brake cable Convertible 1h30
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable Convertible 1h30
Renew the right parking brake cable Convertible 1h30
Remove/refit both parking brake cables Convertible 1h30
Renew both parking brake cables Convertible 1h30
Remove/refit the parking brake cable Estate 2h00
Renew the parking brake cable Estate 2h00
Remove/refit the parking brake cable Saloon 2h00
Renew the parking brake cable Saloon 2h00
Remove/refit the parking brake cable Coupe 2h30
Renew the parking brake cable Coupe 2h30
Remove/refit the parking brake cable Convertible 3h00
Renew the parking brake cable Convertible 3h00
Remove/refit the parking brake cable (Estate, Saloon) 2h00
Renew the parking brake cable (Estate, Saloon) 2h00
Remove/refit the parking brake lever Estate 1h30–2h00
Renew the parking brake lever Estate 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit the parking brake lever Convertible 2h30
Renew the parking brake lever Convertible 2h30
Remove/refit the parking brake lever Coupe 2h00
Renew the parking brake lever Coupe 2h00
Remove/refit the parking brake lever Saloon 1h30
Renew the parking brake lever Saloon 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable Saloon 2h00
Renew the left parking brake cable Saloon 2h00
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable Saloon 2h00
Renew the right parking brake cable Saloon 2h00
Remove/refit both parking brake cables Saloon 2h30
Renew both parking brake cables Saloon 2h30
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable Estate 2h30
Renew the left parking brake cable Estate 2h30
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable Estate 2h30
Renew the right parking brake cable Estate 2h30
Remove/refit both parking brake cables Estate 2h30
Renew both parking brake cables Estate 2h30
Adjust the parking brake* 0h45
Remove/refit the parking brake lever Manual transmission 1h30
Remove/refit the parking brake lever Automatic transmission 1h30
Renew the parking brake lever Manual transmission 1h30
Renew the parking brake lever Automatic transmission 2h00

What is the function of BMW 3-Series handbrake cables?

The handbrake cables transmit the force exerted on the lever (or pedal) to the rear brakes. The handbrake (parking brake) immobilises the vehicle when parked, even on steep slopes. It also serves as an emergency brake in the event of main braking circuit failure.

Does my BMW 3-Series have handbrake cables?

Some vehicles have a handbrake with a lever and cables (entry-level models and those over 5 years old). Other vehicles have an electric parking brake operated via a button. Vehicles with electric parking brakes do not have conventional handbrake cables.

When should you change the BMW 3-Series handbrake cables?

Replace if: the handbrake lever travel is excessive despite adjustment, the cable is frayed or corroded, the cable outer sheath is split, or the cable has seized (common in vehicles not driven regularly). Also replace if the vehicle rolls on a slope with the handbrake fully applied.

Is it difficult to change BMW 3-Series handbrake cables?

Difficulty level 1/5: very easy. Key steps: release the handbrake, raise and support the vehicle, disconnect the cable from the brake mechanism at the wheel end, disconnect from the handbrake lever, feed the new cable through the same route, reconnect at both ends, adjust tension so the lever locks at 4–7 clicks, test on a slope.

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View your 3-Series maintenance plan (keep the 3-Series token) →

7 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
3-Series 1975-1983 1975-1983 315 Petrol (M10B16), 316 Petrol (M10B16), 316 Petrol (M10B18), 318i Petrol (M10B18), 320 Petrol (M10B20), 320 Petrol (M20B20), 320i Petrol (M10B20) Petrol
3-Series 1982-1995 1982-1995 316 Petrol (M10B18), 316i Petrol (M10B18), 316i Petrol (M40B16), 318i Petrol (M10B18), 318i Petrol (M40B18), 318is Petrol (M42B18), 320i Petrol (M20B20), 320i Petrol (M20B20), 320is Petrol (S14B20), 323i Petrol (M20B23), 323i Petrol (M20B23), 325e Petrol (M20B27), 325i, -ix Petr… Petrol
3-Series 1990-2000 1990-2000 316g (65/75 kW) CNG,Petrol (M43B16), 316i (73/75 kW) Petrol (M40B16), 316i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B16), 318i (83/85 kW) Petrol (M40B18), 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B18), 318is Petrol (M42B18), 318is, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M44B19), 320i Petrol (M50B20), 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20), 32… CNG, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 1998-2007 1998-2007 316 Ci Petrol (M43B16TU), 316i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B19TU), 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N40B16), 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N45B16), 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N42B18A), 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B18A), 316ti Petrol (N40B16), 318 Ci Petrol (N46B20), 318d Diesel (M47D20), 318d,… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2005-2013 2005-2013 316d Diesel (N47D20C), 316i Petrol (N43B16A), 316i Petrol (N45B16A), 318d Diesel (M47D20TU2uL), 318d Diesel (N47D20A), 318d Diesel (N47D20C), 318i Petrol (N43B20A), 318i Petrol (N43B20A), 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20B), 320d Diesel (M47D20TU2OL), 320d Diesel (N47D20A), 320d Die… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2011-2020 2011-2020 316d Diesel (B47D20A), 316d Diesel (N47D20C), 316i Petrol (N13B16A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C), 318i Petrol (B38B15A), 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (B47D20A), 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C), 320d, -xD… Diesel, Electricity, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2019-2025 2019-2025 316d Diesel (B47D20B), 316d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 318d Diesel (B47D20B), 318d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 318i Petrol (B48B20A), 320d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B), 320e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

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View the service schedule for your 3-Series →