Opening door with car in gear

[Beemer2]

I live on a hill. When parking facing downhill with the car on the right hand side of the road I pull in close. I then like to finish even closer by reversing whilst I look out the open driver's door.

This was okay when I had my E240 and Volvo V70 autos but with my E250 auto, it jumps from reverse to neutral as soon as I open the door.

Is this by design?

 

[television]

Yes a very good safety feature, and mine does that,, looking out of the window is as good as you can get, or tilt the mirror downwards, that should re set the next time you start