Handbrake adjustment issues

[cappy463]

2004 R50, it’s little rough but working on bringing it back to decent shape. Mostly planned for commuting, as my daily driver currently is a pickup. As the title said, I’m having a real issue with my handbrake. I recently had a rear caliper lock up, smoke etc. popped it open from the rotor to get home, but wanted to replace it asap. I’ve had it for about a year, been driving it, new suspension on all 4 corners, new axles, belt, belt tensioner, engine mounts, some sensors, but this is the first bale work I’ve done.

At this point I have replaced the caliper, and rotated both rear pistons back, neither seems to be having an issue.
also replaced the handbrake cables, one was frozen, not the one with the bad caliper.
Pressure bled the brakes with Motive pressure tank,
Also re-bled the brakes (twice) with the ABS pump and scanner.
Pumped the brakes with engine off and engine on, pulled the handle many times, hoping it was just the self adjuster.

Pads and rotors are basically new, and everything worked before this.

I’ve adjusted the hand brake bolt, to the point it bottomed out. I added some thick washers to see if I got some more leverage, maybe I could see what was causing it.

The calipers both move when the handle is pulled, and looks like they are even and pull the caliper action effectively, and the cable looks pretty close to completely compressed.

The regular brakes work, I’ve driven it. But I have zero handbrake. Not loose, not ineffective, but literally not any drag at all on the pads. I’ve worked on cars for decades, lots of makes and models, but this is my first mini, and first German car.

I’m at a loss, no air in the lines, all clean new fluid, it also held pressure, no leaks I’ve found, new cables, I’m stumped.

Thanks for any help.