e39 passenger side wheel noise

[Snoodn5]

I have a 1997 540i and the passenger side wheel is making some kind of rotational "scraping" noise. It sounds like a high spot in the rotor or something similar, but the rotors are good and straight. After making a complete stop, starting again feels like something is holding me back then I hear a "pop" and it is free to move - and theres the rotational noise again. The car also has less power than normal now and after driving a little more agressively - it smells like something is burning.

Could this be a stuck parking brake? Is there anything else that I should check?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as it's getting louder very fast.

tia

[544iAe39]

Have you had someone walk beside the car while its driving to determine whether the noise is coming from the front or back? Depending which, it will change what is wrong.

[Snoodn5]

yes. it is definately the rear wheel that is making the noise.

[caris540i]

Bump for a little update - the noise is more on the driver side, but is on the passenger side as well. It is definately in the rear.

Its a rotational noise and something is holding the car back a bit, it's noticeable in power, gas mileage and the sound of the engine.

I took it to a shop and they said theres no noticeable heat build up in the parking brake and it still functions properly, but the noise is still there and when you pull the ebrake up halfway, the noise disappears. Whatever it is also sticks after a cold morning and I have to overpower it to get moving- then its better. The shop also said that both wheels spin freely by hand.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[82bmw633]

E39 calipers and backing plates are known for trapping small rocks against the rotor. Sounds more expensive than what it is. Pull the wheel and do a visual check. It would probably be on the back side of the rotor (of course).