According to the BMW dealership (2 of them)...only the X5 does this. It cannot be disabled, and it seems that a lot of E70 owners hate this "feature". If I turn my climate control off, I expect it to stay off. Crap design!! It will stay off, if the engine stop & start are within about 30 mins. After that, the climate control will turn itself on automatically upon the next engine start. Hate this, really!!

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2008 X5 4.8i
Alpine White, Black Nevada Leather, Bamboo trim
Premium Pkg
Cold Weather Pkg
Technology Pkg
Sport Pkg
Rear Climate Pkg
Satellite Radio
iPod Adapter
Automatic Liftgate Operation
20 in Y-Spoke wheels