The World Has Won

[equ]

Originally Posted by JST

Hm. That sounds desirable, though I don't know if it's worth the extra coin. Plus I am not a fan of those comp package wheels.

Expensive 20" wheels, what's not to like?

[FC]

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=470

The sticky threads have all the update info (or should, IIRC).

As far as the wheels, I hope you like them because they are a PITA to clean.

2017 changes: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1271973
2018 changes: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1392922

There were more non-publicized tuning/suspension tweaks in the later years though.

[JST]

Sadly the '06 convertible sold already. Not surprising giving the price and the fact that it looked to be in nice shape with a desirable spec.

[equ]

It's kind of prying but I never fully understood. Who drove the golf R and who drove the Model 3? From the sound of it, it sounds like the Tesla is for Mrs JST and the Golf R was for JST? Hence the shopping? How many miles per year?

I don't see how an e46 m3 convertible will replace a golf R or be a suitable long trip car (except for the once a year kind of thing that makes it all about the sorta retro car).

And even if BMW > VW in some ways maintenance, an 06 vs. a recent Golf R for less headache???

It's more of a boxster replacement. Perhaps the same speed or a touch faster on a straight. Worse handling, older design, more space for 4.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by JST

Sadly the '06 convertible sold already. Not surprising giving the price and the fact that it looked to be in nice shape with a desirable spec.

I think you were kind of saved from yourself here.

[JST]

Originally Posted by equ

It's kind of prying but I never fully understood. Who drove the golf R and who drove the Model 3? From the sound of it, it sounds like the Tesla is for Mrs JST and the Golf R was for JST? Hence the shopping? How many miles per year?

I don't see how an e46 m3 convertible will replace a golf R or be a suitable long trip car (except for the once a year kind of thing that makes it all about the sorta retro car).

And even if BMW > VW in some ways maintenance, an 06 vs. a recent Golf R for less headache???

It's more of a boxster replacement. Perhaps the same speed or a touch faster on a straight. Worse handling, older design, more space for 4.

Usually Mrs. JST drove the Golf R, but for the right car I'd take over driving the Golf R replacement.

An E46 M3 convertible doesn't make any sense, really, except that one was basically the spec I would have ordered back in the day so it was tempting.

[JST]

OK, the orange '16 appears to have M adaptive suspension, heated rear seats, and a variety of other random stuff, but it doesn't look like any of the packages? No moonroof, which is kind of a bummer.

[nate]

Originally Posted by kognito

Not his personnel one, but will work https://www.alfaromeoofsantabarbara....ship/staff.htm

That's funny.

I thought about him over the weekend since I was in Santa Barbara and drove past the BMW dealer a couple times.

Hopefully he will get his new employer to sponsor an Alfafest.

[nate]

The M6 Gran Coupe could be had with a manual: https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-mo...fications.html

I thought that was still in production, but it doesn't show up on the build page.

[nate]

Thread inspired me to do a little poking around at what is available locally with 4 doors and manual.

This is quite a unicorn: https://www.sonicautomotive.com/used...5af70b0ec2.htm

If it is an actual manual. I find the flappy paddle transmissions are often categorized as manuals.