Car not fully stopping sometimes at traffic lights

1990xrider

I bought a used BMW 320i. Last night coming to a light that was going to turn red I braked, but the car wouldn't stop. It kept trying to move at about 1-2mph, leaving me about 10-12 feet over the white stop line. No cameras but still worrying someone recorded it and even worse, that if it happens again and I have a collision. I took the car to a garage and they tested it and it says nothing is wrong. Same thing happened two weeks ago. The warranty expires on the 23rd this month but specialist BMW diagnostics places don't have any availability til early September. 

What do I do?

tacpot12

You need to take the car back to the dealer you bought it from and report the problem to them. I wouldn't drive the car until the cause of the fault has been found - it's not roadworthy.

Have the brakes been inspected? Just testing them and not finding a problem isn't a proper diagnostic investigation. 

The symptom you describe are possible for a number of reasons, e.g. if the disks have worn too low and the calipers don't have enough travel left to grip the disk, or the brake caliper is binding so that the brake can't move any further before they have fully gripped the disk. 

 

EssexExile

It wouldn't stop even with your foot on the brake? That's dangerous. Or do you mean it creeps forward if you take your foot off the brake? That's normal if it's an automatic.

1990xrider

EssexExile said:

It wouldn't stop even with your foot on the brake? That's dangerous. Or do you mean it creeps forward if you take your foot off the brake? That's normal if it's an automatic.

No, it wouldn't stop even with my foot on the brake . Unfortunately it's only happened twice and both times when it was absolutely imperative for me to stop (red lights)! 

Mutton_Geoff

I think there are more pressing reasons to be able to stop the car properly other than a red light. Not killing someone for example.

I wouldn't drive the car at all until this is investigated. The dealer needs to collect the car on a trailer, it is not safe on the road and you could be held liable if you now drive it knowing there is a problem.

Ganga

Can it be a fault on the anti lock brake system ,i know it switches off at a certain speed ( about 5 mph i think ) otherwise the car would never stop ,just like yours.

1990xrider

Ganga said:

Can it be a fault on the anti lock brake system ,i know it switches off at a certain speed ( about 5 mph i think ) otherwise the car would never stop ,just like yours.

Ganga said:

Can it be a fault on the anti lock brake system ,i know it switches off at a certain speed ( about 5 mph i think ) otherwise the car would never stop ,just like yours.

I think it could be ABS or cylinder related 

Iceweasel

Don't even think of going to a BMW 'specialist diagnostic' workshop.

You need to go to a genuine BMW dealership - but the one you purchased the car from would be best.

Any / all BMW dealerships will give you an immediate appointment to diagnose such a problem.
If they do not you simply contact BMW Emergency Service who will immediately arrange to collect the car within a metter of hours, and for a loan car to be provided until the problem is resolved.
Don't take no for an answer- they MUST respond to a safety problem like you describe.
BMW Approved Used Car Warranty and  their Emergency Service are among the best available - make use of it - we pay plenty for the privilege.

BEBELUCA2017

Are you even pressing the brake pedal hard enough?

531063

Slow down     

Ectophile

From what I've seen while waiting at traffic lights, this seems to be a feature of most BMWs and Audis.