Differing ever so slightly from BMW’s Techno Violet, BMW Individual Madeira Violet Metallic is a visually stunning purple that can really play visual tricks depending on conditions. In some lighting, it almost appears to be BMW’s Cosmos Black due to the color’s blue and purple metallic flake. Whatever your interpretation of it, this BMW Individual Madeira Violet Metallic E36 ‘vert is the latest in European Market Finds that we feel represents good value for money, offering a way for the everyman or woman to dip their toe into the world of Tailored Driver. With the right importer like Orchid Euro, this could be landed, plated, and insured for well under $20,000.
What: 2018 Porsche Macan GTS Color: Paint to Sample Graphite Blue Metallic(graphitblau; metallic uni; M5G / A7; Porsche) VIN: WP1AG2A50JLB61999 Mileage: 60,140 miles Price: $32,985 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Mercedes-Benz of Pleasanton, CA Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
A modern Porsche, in Paint to Sample Graphite Blue Metallic, for $32k. Say what you will, but that’s a compelling statement. Graphite Blue Metallic was one of the more interesting standard colors from the 991 generation of Porsche’s 911, appearing nearly Nardo Grey at first glance, but with just enough cyan to have a clear differentiation. Applied here to a Macan GTS, it’s subtle enough to not require a card carrying extrovert as owner, but certainly will stand out from the other Macans you see around town. We’d happily add this to our stable as a daily.
It’s hard to explain exactly why, but beige in some instances is incredibly good. Long a metaphor for boring, beige and it’s variants are having an absolute moment, whether it’s Audi’s Siam Beige and Mocha Latte, or the Mercedes-Benz Manufaktur Sand Beige seen here. It’s a clear play to the G-wagen’s military and industrial heritage, both of which propelled sales for a few decades before the G became a shuttle for wealthy American urbanites. Perhaps Sand Beige is most fitting on this particular 4×4 squared variant, the most rough and ready of the Geländewagen lineup.
What: 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 Color:Mint Green(mintgrün; non-metallic UNI; 22R; Porsche) VIN: WP0ZZZ96ZNS470XXX Mileage: 309 km / 192 miles Price: Upon Request CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Dipl. Wirt.-Ing. Manfred Hering, EARLY 911S e. K., Wuppertal, Germany Listing:Link
Why We Love It:
We’re hitting a theme this week of cars that have experienced color changes, and this one may be the most interesting yet. Get past the fact that it seems like you rarely if ever see a 964-generation 911 Turbo in Mint Green (much less one with less than 200 miles on the odometer), because that’s just the beginning of the story. You see, this car left the factory painted Paint to Sample Gulf Orange (gulforange; 019; non-metallic UNI; Porsche) with black interior.
According to the ad, the car received a full restoration presumably with color change by the massive classic Porsche dealer in Germany where it is currently for sale. They also have a comprehensive list of options. And while we suspect most all of it came on the car from the factory, the mention of a Mint Green shift knob and the sight of the mint green Porsche Tequipment steering wheel do make us wonder if those were fitted in the (Gulf Orange) car from new, or added when the car switched to Mint Green.
The list of equipment is as follows:
139 Heated seats, left seat 220 limited slip differential 40% 231 Michelin tires 288 headlight cleaning system 327 Radio “Symphony RDS” 340 heated seats, right seat 403 cup cast wheel, 17 inch 423 cassettes and coin containers 425 rear window wiper 437 Comfort seat on the left, electrically adjustable 438 comfort seat right, electrically adjustable 441 Radio preparation 481 manual transmission 488 Inscription German 490 sound package 494 additional amplifiers 499 version for the Federal Republic of Germany 562 Airbag driver and passenger side 573 air conditioning 605 headlight range adjustment 650 Electric sunroof 659 on-board computer 685 Split rear seats 930 rear seat covers, leather 975 trunk lining with velor carpet 981 leather interior without seat covers 983 front seat covers, leather X33 engine performance increase 911 Turbo XK7 shiftgearknob mintgreen XU1 Remote control central locking
Whatever the case, this is an incredibly unique car in an incredibly unique and period correct color. Mint Green had just been introduced at the time as one of the Carrera Cup colors. While uncommon in general, it was most common in the 964-era 911 Carrera RS, and occasionally seen on other period cars like 911 Cabriolets and the occasional 968.
What: 2022 Audi RS Q8 Color: Audi Glacier White (Gletscherweiß; pearl effect; LS9R/2Y; Audi) VIN: WU1ARBF19ND010955 Mileage: 17,606 miles Price: $99,900 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Pictured below Location: Marino Performance Motors, West Palm Beach, FL Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Sure, we love a good exterior but as they say- it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Audi’s Glacier White paint is augmented by the frankly stunning Audi exclusive Ocean Blue leather interior on this Tailored Driver, resulting in a fairly stealth OEM build if not for the copper Avant Garde wheels. Aftermarket carbon fiber bits are found throughout the exterior which certainly enhance the sportiness of this RS Q8, but frankly we’d be tempted to put it back stock. In our opinion, letting the Glacier White and Ocean Blue combo stand on its own is more than enough to stand out.
What: 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS Color: Paint to Sample Oak Green Metallic(oakgrünmetallic; metallic uni; 265 / 22L / 60K; Porsche) VIN: WP0CE2A84RK240412 Mileage: 1,204 miles Price: $259,991 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Porsche Warrington, PA Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
We don’t play favorites at Tailored Driver, but if we did, Porsche Oak Green Metallic would be a strong contender. A deeper shade than Aston’s Racing Green, Oak Green features a gold metallic flake that genuinely pops in direct sunlight. While it was introduced in the ’70s, Oak has seen a resurgence recently and we’ve seen it featured on both Audi and Porsche models via their respective Tailoring programs. Here it’s been applied to arguably the most exciting of Porsche’s current topless lineup, where the yellow brake calipers do a great job of further enhancing Oak Green’s aforementioned gold flake.
What: 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3 Sportline Avantgarde azzurro Color:Azzurro Blue(azzurroblau; metallic UNI; 366; Mercedes-Benz) VIN: Unknown Mileage: 130,100 km / 80,840 miles Price at Time of this Writing: €15,000 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Private Seller, Münich, Germany Listing:Link
Why We Love It:
One of several cars built in Mercedes-Benz Avantgarde series of W201 190 Es, the 190 E Avantgarde Azzurro is a unique thing indeed. With DTM-harkening 190 EVOs making anything W201 even more interesting, the azzurro and all its 90s German kitsch offer a more unique approach to the package.
Perhaps inspired by other market offerings such as the Volkswagen Color Concept cars, or Wolfsburg’s even more radically quirky Harlequin models, the Avantgardes utilized color in order to dial up the fun factor of a then aging W201 range.
The most notable differences on the Avantgarde azzurro is the use of color. For starters, its Azzurro Blue metallic paint was unique to the Avantgarde offering. Then, much like the Harlequin, it artfully incorporated multiple colors in trim on the seats, big-bolstered rear individual seating, the floor mats, the shift knob and the steering wheel. More substantively for drivers, it also got Mercedes’ Sportline suspension that was 20% stiffer and 23 mm lower than run-of-the-mill 190s.
Only 950 azzurro models were built, though it was their quite literal avant-garde nature that likely played into Mercedes’ choice to not sell the cars in the U.S.A. Fortunately, they’re now old enough for import and this clean and preserved example has just come on the market near Münich, listed for sale by an individual.
This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.
What: 2021 Audi Q3 Color: Audi exclusive Merlin Purple(merlin purple; pearl effect; 4B / LZ3W / Z3W; Audi) VIN: WA1EECF31M1132074 Mileage: 60,090 miles Price: $25,191 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Huffines Chevrolet, Plano, TX Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
The world of Tailored Driver never ceases to amaze. Just two weeks ago we featured a 2020 Audi Q3 in Audi exclusive Merlin Purple, and we waxed poetic about how uncommon it is to see a Q3 in a custom-order hue. Guess we’re eating crow here, as another Q3 in the very same Merlin Purple has been spotted in Texas. One model year newer, 15,000 fewer miles, unmodified, but same color. Being one year and two oil changes fresher, the price is also a bit higher at $25k. Still a deal in our eyes, and still likely to be the only one you’ll see on the road. Until, of course, another one pops up and we feature it here on Tailored Driver.
What: 2021 Audi R8 Color: Audi exclusive Arrow Grey Pearl(arrowgrau; pearl effect; LZ7W; Audi) VIN: WUABAAFX1M7900910 Mileage: 8,082 miles Price: $164,970 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Pictured below Location: Audi Naples, FL Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
The Audi R8 has been heralded as an everyday supercar since inception, and having spent quite a bit of time living with both generations, we’d have to agree. Admittedly a bit flashier choice than say, a 911, this particular R8 is still what we consider a fairly understated spec. Finished in Audi exclusive Arrow Grey, which as we’ve noted is the same code (LZ7W) as Aviator Grey, and without the fixed rear spoiler featured on the V10 plus variant, it’s the build of a connoisseur. Add to it the contrasting Yellow stitched leather and its a compelling package for those who want to stand out in all the right ways.
What: 1994 Audi S2 Avant Color:Nogaro Blue(nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi) VIN: Unknown Mileage: 78,000 km / 48,467 miles Price at Time of this Writing: €35,000 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Private Seller, Wünschendorf, Germany Listing:Link
Why we love mention it:
Wait, it’s a low mileage Nogaro Blue S2 Avant and it’s an “Acquired Taste” car? What gives. Okay, yes, it’s perfect spec color choice and modifications that are there appear to be tasteful, but if our translation tool is reading that ad correctly, it’s a color change to Nogaro Blue from the original color listed as Burnt Orange for which the seller states and Apple translated “according to Audi only three vehicles in the color were delivered”.
We’re not entirely sure what “Burnt Orange” is. We’ll keep looking, though it’s listed in English so we’re not translating there. Perhaps they mean Audi’s Glut Orange (a.k.a. Solar Orange) where “glut” translates from German to “embers”. Even still, the rarity of it is kind of less impactful when the car has received a color change. It makes you wonder why they didn’t change the color on a more common specimen, but who knows.
Another interesting note about the color, we don’t think Audi was producing Glut Orange at that point, while Audi exclusive builds were largely limited at the time to factory specials or “Lifestyle Colors” that we’ve covered on this site before. If so, that color was likely Inka Yellow Pearl Effect and we’ve seen that on an RS2 from the time period. It is indeed very rare.
Worth noting, the seller also states that the engine bay still needs addressing regarding the color change, though no photos of that are provided. We also used AI tools to clean up some of the photos, specifically distracting elements in the background. In each of the photos we edited, the only change made to the car was to fix a bent registration plate. However, please use the original photos as the final reference as we’re just passing along this car’s availability.
So, if we’re translating this listing accurately, technically this is a factory tailored car that was resprayed to a totally different factory tailor color. You don’t see that often. And though it may be a color change car, we suspect it’s also about as affordable as you’ll find a turbocharged Nogaro Blue Audi B4 Avant. RS2s, even in rough shape, always seem to be above €50,000 nowadays. This one looks well kept, low mileage and a bargain way to get an RS2 without stepping up to an RS2.
This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.
