E46 M3 rear wheel intermittent scraping noise - solved

[leeson660]

Hi guys

Thought I'd post this just for reference in case anyone has the same issue.

I had a problem with my CS with an occasional scraping noise from the offside rear wheel. Gentle application of the handbrake whilst the noise was happening made the noise change then stop. After speaking to Ocean BMW (car under warranty) the chap on the service desk thought it would probably be the rear handbrake shoes which wouldn't be under warranty. So went in and had a look and found the issue!

A small stone (2mm ish) had got stuck between the brake shoe and the drum body. Flicked the stone out, cleaned it all up and problem solved!

[final_edition]

I'd be more concerned that it has drums and shoes

[leeson660]

final_edition said:

I'd be more concerned that it has drums and shoes

I must admit I was a tad surprised when the word 'drum' was mentioned in the same sentence as m3 cs!

I assume even the CSL has the disc over drum arrangement on the back?

Edited by leeson660 on Wednesday 7th March 06:58

[MattOz]

Same as any other E46.

The handbrake is essentially inside the bell housing of the disc, making it like a drum brake.