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.
It’s great to see tailored cars coming into their own as an impetus to have a gathering. Sometimes it’s something as large as Rare Shades or a simpler club gathering like the one we recently had the pleasure to attend. Held by the 490 Club and organized by Gabriel Roque, it was primarily a mix of BMW Individual owners who gathered on January 4th Buenas Cafe y Mas in Costa Mesa, CA.
The gathering was open, meaning all makes and models were welcome at the gathering. However, designated parking went to the tailored BMWs.
The mix of Individual cars was an enjoyable focus. First up were two M3s parked next to each other, one F80 and another G80.
Some of the cars in attendance to highlight: two laguna seca M3s. one F80 and the other one G80, they later parked next to each other at the show. Another car you couldn’t miss was Liz Susitko’s Mint Green F80 M3 – one of four produced worldwide. More subtle, but no less notable was another F80 M3 in Moonstone Metallic.
We’ve run a gallery from the gathering below. Check it out.
For enthusiasts in the US, there’s often the opinion that while maybe we got a version, Europe ‘got the good one.’ While perhaps not the best representation of this sentiment, this Tailored Driver fits squarely into that category- bigger motor than was offered stateside, paired with a BMW Individual color. For those in the know, the 323i is a very interesting proposition in that it’s incredibly similar to the BMW Z3 coupe, albeit with a back seat. E36-generation from the firewall forward with an E30 rear subframe, this 323i will provide an exciting driving experience for whoever wins this Bring a Trailer auction. Please note, as this is a model year 2000 vehicle, it must be 25 years from the production date for trouble-free importation.
What: 2013 BMW M3 Coupé Color: Phoenix Yellow (phönixgelb; metallic; 445; BMW) VIN: WBSKG9C58DJ594555 Mileage: 93,000 miles Estimate: $56,000 AutoCheck Report:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Private Seller, Moreno Valley, CA Listing:Link
Why we love it:
Heritage or iconic brand colors are always a solid choice when it comes to a tailored specification, so an E92-generation BMW M3 Coupé in Phoenix Yellow Metallic of the E46 M3 generation just makes a lot of sense. Now pair it with a 6-speed manual transmission and Fox Red Extended Novillo leather and you have an exceptional specification.
Here’s what we know, via the owner’s listing on AutoTrader.
“This 2013 BMW M3 Coupe is 1/2 Individual Phoenix Yellow e9X models produced for the US market. This M3 is a 6-Speed manual, the interior features Fox Red Extended Novillo Leather. It is 1/1 as a combo of Phoenix/Fox/Manual Transmission. It is a one owner car which I ordered through Steve Thomas BMW in Camarillo, CA received May 2013. (Carfax will say 2 owners but it was just refinanced through my bank, all one owner.) The odometer currently reads 93k miles, this car is in excellent condition for the mileage. The car is very well maintained and cared for, the look and drivability of the car don’t reflect the mileage. This car has never been tracked. This is a very rare and special opportunity for the right collector.
“The front bumper and side rockers look brand new and were just repainted in March 2024 by a Spectrum Collision(BMW certified paint center). Standard and selected features are Dynamic Damper Control, Heated Seats, Carbon Leather Trim, Navigation System, 19 359 style wheels, RD Sport Suspension Springs, Turner Motorsport Aluminum Undershield Kit, Carbon Fiber Rear Spoiler. The car features Shadowline trim and adaptive xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and many more standard features. Brand new stock steering wheel installed March 2024. It comes with the original Phoenix Yellow stock spoiler, stock suspension springs and any other original small parts on the side. All service records, the window sticker and 2 keys included. Car comes with clear California Title, currently in hand of the owner. It’s a been kept under careful care by a BMW enthusiasts, all preventative maintenance and parts replaced as soon as the car showed any read outs. All service done under warranty at Irvine or Crevier BMW, all service after warranty done at MRF Engineering.
“Important maintenance info can be provided upon request, it wont fit here.
“The car shows very minor rock chips/wear on the roof, spoiler and hood, appropriate for some milage but prob less than expected.“
Worth noting, this isn’t the first time we’ve featured this car. It was listed on AutoTrader before, likely by the same (original) owner. This time around, there are more details and better photos, so we’re making sure to share it again.
What: 1997 BMW M3 coupe Color: BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic (ägäischblau; metallic; 336; BMW)VIN: WBSBG91000EW36422 Mileage: 59,000 kilometers Price at Time of this Writing: €59,000 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: CarJager, Aix-en-Provence, France Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Say it with us- BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic over Cream Nappa Leather. In 1997 this particular Tailored Driver was the choice of an M3 connoisseur, choosing the classiest of color combinations at their dealer and achieving a jaw-dropping finished product. Understandably the former custodians of this car loved looking at it, but it seems they liked looking more than spending time behind the wheel as the car has covered just 59,000km in it’s 28 years of existence.
What: 2021 BMW M3 Competition Color: BMW Individual Dravit Grey Metallic (dravitgrau; metallic; C36; BMW) VIN: WBS33AY09MFK97991 Mileage: 42,444 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $65,841 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: BMW South Albany, Glenmont, NY Dealer contact: Beckie Kiernan – sales@bmwofsouthalbany.edealerhub.com Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
BMW’s Dravit Grey Metallic is an incredibly cool shade of Grey, featuring metallic flake with hints of Gold that genuinely pop in the right lighting. Sadly the images of this Tailored Driver are not that lighting, but this doesn’t mean the color is any less stunning. Of note, in 2021 BMW Individual was not a full option code 490 Individual color, but it was noted as an Individual shade within BMW’s order guide and fetched a $1,950 premium over other ‘standard’ hues. All that in mind, this $65,000 Tailored Driver is every bit as special in our eyes as a full-boat 490 car, and would make a great addition to the discerning enthusiast’s garage.
What: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster Color:Fire Orange(feuerorange; non-metallic UNI; U94; BMW) VIN: WBY2Z6C52K7D77174 Mileage: 220 Price at Time of this Writing: N/A, Auction CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Mecum Kissimmee Auction, Kissimmee, FL Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
A BMW i8 is already a rare and quirky thing. Now, throw in BMW Individual Fire Orange paint and matching leather segmentation and stitching and you have a truly unique thing indeed. We found the car posted by Evan Lerner on the BMW Individual market & discussion Group on Facebook where he shared that the car is from the Michael Fox collection, a collector who has had “a few special (BMW) Individual cars in the past,” including an Austin Yellow M2.
The car goes on the block on January 18, so check it out soon.
What: 2023 BMW M4 Competition Color: BMW Individual Fire Orange III (fuerorangeiii; non-metallic uni; P7E; BMW) VIN: WBS43AZ04PCM81308 Mileage: 6,829 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $84,900 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Sam Lehman Jeep, Champaign, IL Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
BMW’s Fire Orange made quite the impact when it was applied to the North American market-specific M3 Lime Rock Edition and RoW-only M3 GTS during the E9X generation, as it was just as in-your-face as the four-liter V8 shoved between it’s front fenders. In the time since, Fire Orange has had a few iterations (now on its third) and take rate seems to be somewhat slim. I suppose we can’t really blame potential buyers for not selecting P7E as their BMW Individual (option code 490) hue of choice when Tailoring a nearly $100,000 M3 or M4, but we have to assume quite a few give it some real thought. With that, we say be bold, enjoy someone else’s depreciation, and take the plunge.
What: 2025 BMW M3 Sedan Color: Laguna Seca Blue (lagunasecablau; non-metallic uni; 448; BMW) VIN: WBS13HJ09SFU04156 Mileage: delivery Price at Time of this Writing: $88,825 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: see gallery below Location: Gainesville, FL Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Laguna Seca Blue is a recent reintroduction added to the BMW Individual palette. The color first dropped on the E46 M3, also going on other M cars throughout the years. Its return has made it a popular color amongst BMW Individual clients, and this one appears to have popped up as available at BMW Gainesville.
Interestingly, the dealer doesn’t have photos of it on the site at the time of this writing. However, Alyssa Trainer in sales at the dealership has already nabbed these mobile phone shots and shared it on the BMW Individual Market & Discussion Group on Facebook. If you’re reaching out to the dealership to inquire on this car, check in with Alyssa and let her know you saw the car on Tailored Driver.
What: 2000 BMW 328i Color: BMW Individual Carbon Black Metallic (carbonschwarz; metallic; C49; BMW) VIN: Unknown Mileage: 260,327 km (~161,757 mi) Price at Time of this Writing: €8,495 (~$8,912) CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Oss, NL Listing:Link
Why we love it:
Yes, in just a few days we’ll be 25-year survivors of the Y2K panic. And while our computers didn’t all self-destruct when asked to display ’00’ in a date window, the cars coming out of German and Japan were equally exciting- just in a much more controlled, less stressful way. This E46-generation 328i sedan was delivered in May of that year (making it importable soon!), having been ordered by a Tailor with taste. BMW Individual was chosen both inside and out, making this an incredibly interesting, relatively cheap proposition. The listing is low on detail and basic translation points to a few mistakes, so rather than the Frozen Black Metallic mentioned due to the gloss nature and blue/black shade depending on light, we feel safe in our assumption that the exterior is actually BMW Individual Carbon Black Metallic. We’d be doing a disservice though, if we didn’t share that our assumption may be just that, and that it could also could be the very complex BMW Individual Petrol Mica Metallic, although this does appear darker. More certain, however, is the Arizona Sun leather sport seats found within. We love this generation nearly as much as we love a deal, and at $9k plus shipping, we struggle to find a more interesting vehicular use of funds. Just make sure you validate VIN before putting it on a boat.
