[Lurcher]

In my e89 (z4) if I leave the parking brake on and try to move - it takes substantial force to get it to release if I leave it on - and makes quite a "thunk" when it does release.

Wifey and I were playing with it yesterday on her x3, and it seems like it take almost nothing for it to release (forward or reverse) to the point that it's almost like you never need to turn it off with the switch if you want to start moving, just hit the gas (like auto-hold).

Is this how it's supposed to work?

[pokerface]

pretty smooth on my X3. On my audi it doesn't thunk, but have to go a bit heavier on the throttle and I hear the screw unwind to release the brake.

In both cases, you are aware that something is holding hte car back though (no automatic transmission creep) so the throttle will be a bit more deliberate.

[dreamspeed]

Yup, it releases with practically no force.

[plymjack]

indeed the auto hold need only sense you stop for it to engage even the slowest rolling and it will not engage, and likewise once engaged the slightest touch of power and it releases. For the first year I was very wary but now wish I could engage autohold "on" all the time the e-hand brake is so good.