Interesting I'll try that next. Thanks for the tip!

If the driver's seatbelt is latched I think you will find that it won't shift into PARK automatically also.

I usually put it in P, but sometimes, I pull in the garage and just shut it down.

Even if you shut it off while in DS, it will go to P. The shifter pops back to default position and everything. It makes for a fun "Whoa...forgot to park it!" when the shifter pops back into default position. :D

Being newish to the car, and since I daily a manual E36, I've forgotten to put it in park a couple times. But I appreciate it for what it is, a safety feature, don't think I'll be using it as my go to. Just feels wrong.