[jyl]

With the traditional P R N D L sequence, with "P" being all the way forward, "L" all the way backwards, you have to go through "R" and "N" to get to "D". Sometimes a lazy or distracted driver who is aiming for "D" instead limp-wrists the shifter to "R" and goes backwards instead of forwards. Crunch! (Yes, it happens, I've done it.)

With the BMW system, you go directly from "P" to either "R" or "D". I can see the argument for this system.

At least they kept "reverse = push forward" and "drive = pull backward".