[BMW DIY Guy]

Hey yall..

I am working with a 2006 X3, or E83 model in great shape. I have noticed something VERY odd though, at least to me. This is the first E83 I have had my hands on, but very familiar with similar generation E53s and E46s.

The radio will turn on still, even after the car is off, ignition off and key out, and even the doors locked?

I bumped the radio power button getting out of the car.. key out, ignition off, and the radio turned on.

Tried it again.. turned on again.. I closed the door, locked it with me in the car.. and the radio STILL turned on!

What the heck? I have never had a BMW that would do this! While not a huuuuge issue, its like power to the radio stays on the whole time, meaning it could stay on and kill the battery?

The radio WILL turn off, if I turn off the ignition but if I hit the button again, it will turn back on. I also thought maybe it is a soft off, like interior lights or the like.. turned the car off, turned the radio on and got out and locked. Walked away for 10min and came back.. radio still on.

Is this normal for the E83, "business CD" radio, all OEM components?

[BMW DIY Guy]

Guess this is normal.. I have confirmed the radio will stay on, even the map lights will stay on, but everything times out after 15min. My local shop owner has the same car and confirmed, so this is normal E83 behavior.