BMW issued a recall on the 3 SERIES model

Certain M3 vehicles that were manufactured from October 2000 to May 02, 2001. The two screws that secure the parking brake cable-mounting bracket to the backing plate were not tightened properly. As a result, the screws could loosen and eventually fall into the parking brake drum. If this were to happen, the cable-mounting bracket would no longer be fixed to the backing plate and the parking brake could no longer be applied on that side of the vehicle. It is also possible that a screw could lodge within the parking brake drum, impairing the free movement of the drum. This would produce noise, and could cause the parking brake on that side to lock up while driving. Correction: dealers will replace the parking brake cable attaching screws and secure them with the proper torque.