What: 2000 BMW 323 Touring / M3 Touring Build Color: Titanium Silver (titansilber; metallic UNI; 354; BMW) VIN: WBAAR3349YJM02502 Mileage: 182,900 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $45,369 CarFax:Link Location: San Diego, CA Auction listing:Cars and Bids
Unlike Porsche, BMW doesn’t have a Sonderwunsch department. However, looking over this highly OEM-looking E46 M3 Touring build on Cars and Bids, we’re wondering if they aren’t missing an opportunity. Yes, of course BMW now builds an M3 Touring even though we can’t get it here, but we’re thinking more of reimagined cars like Sonderwunsch’s 993 Speedsters.
What if BMW Classic built M3 Touring out of plain jane 3er long roofs? They’d probably look a lot like this, and what’s not to love? Do we need to mention it’s also a manual?
As of this writing there are two days left on this auction. Go get it wagon fans.
There’s no question that Bavaria is rich in destinations for car enthusiasts traveling into the region. You could spend days alone visiting headquarter museums for BMW in Münich, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart and Audi in Ingolstadt… and you still wouldn’t have seen it all. Moving beyond the main HQs of these storied brands, fans of the factory tailors should definitely not miss out on the lesser-known Audi Forum Neckarsulm where you’ll find amazing cars like this Tau Silver Matte RS 6 Avant we encountered during our last visit in 2022.
Behind the car in many of these photos, you’ll find equally unique cars. Why is that? For many years, Neckarsulm played home to quattro GmbH, the Audi business unit that controls the Audi exclusive tailoring division. So, while the Audi Forum Ingolstadt got the vast museum mobile, the Audi Forum Neckarsulm got a unique second-floor showroom that serves as a revolving exhibition of everything Audi exclusive is capable of.
This RS 6 may be painted in a neutral tone less eye-catching than some of its more colorful showroom neighbors, but it’s still an extensively unique factory build. The color is known as Tau Silver and is painted in matte effect finish (tausilber, matte effect, X7E, Audi). Inside, the seats are made in black and accented with Karmesin Red leather on the bolsters – subtle but yet again with Audi exclusive’s panel-by-panel customization approach.
Of course, the color scheme of silver, black and red is also embracing the color way of Audi Sport, which is particularly fitting on a car like the RS 6 Avant.
The Audi Forum Neckarsulm isn’t as well known as Ingolstadt as it is perhaps less of a grand tourist destination, but it’s a destination nonetheless complete with delivery center, restaurant, Audi collection shop, Audi Tradition exhibit and more. You should consider going.
Mercedes-AMG has announced its latest special edition, tailored versions of its GLE and GLS SUVs centered around High-Tech Silver Magno (HightechSilber; metallic matt effect; 734 / 9734 ; Mercedes-AMG).
The main look of the package accents the silver with black and red accents. This includes multi-spoke forged 22-inch wheels for the GLE and 23-inch for the GLS, finished in matte black and accented with red flanges. Wheel hub covers get AMG logos combined with laurel wreath elements. Brake calipers are finished at front and rear. Finally, it’s paired with the AMG Night package with gloss black exterior elements that include the front splitter, decorative strip on AMG skirt panel, side mirror covers, insert on the rside skirt panels, window surrounds and trim on the rear apron. Dark chrome tailpipe trim and matte black roof rails finish off the exterior appearance.
The black and red theme continues inside. AMG MANUFAKTUR Carmine Red and Black Exclusive Nappa Leather are the main focus, with rhombus quilting elements. Special MANUFAKTUR door sills with illuminated AMG logo, MABUFAKTUR rear seat headrests and special edition logo bright chrome letters on the passenger side.
A performance steering wheel in Carmine Red and AMG carbon decorative trim with red embroidery are components especially unique to these specials. AMG crests stamped on the front headrests and black AMG door sills with white illumination make it even more exclusive. Even the deep pile floor mats get red stitched AMG logos on black leather.
The market launch for the Arctic Special edition will be July 2025 and only 450 units will be offered worldwide.
Range Rover’s SV department continues to show off their capabilities. This time around, it’s the Range Rover SV Lech, a one-of-one ode to Austria’s alps. The finish is Arlberg Silver Satin.
We found some basic photos and specs on Range Rover’s Facebook page. Follow that HERE if you want to see more and more of what Range Rover is up to.
Nine bespoke Flying Spurs take pride of place as The Galaxy Macau’s chauffeur-driven house cars
Personalised, luxury sedans prepared by Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division
Striking visual signature in Pale Brodgar exterior paint with bespoke craftsmanship
Hand-crafted interiors include unique Mulliner quilt patterns, special embroidery and hotel specific details, distinguishing the fleet of nine vehicles
This latest commission reflects the growing appeal for Bentley within the luxury hospitality industry for chauffeur-driven travel
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Bentley Motors proudly announces its latest global collaboration with a leading luxury hotel, underscoring the growing demand for luxury, chauffeur-driven experiences. The Galaxy Hotel in Macau, China – one of the world’s largest Forbes double five-star properties – has taken delivery of the largest fleet of bespoke Flying Spur Mulliner sedans to date with an official handover ceremony at the hotel on 29 April. The nine handcrafted four-door Bentleys extend the resort’s legacy of superlative transport and bespoke luxury experiences, providing guests with a seamless blend of performance, elegance, and unparalleled craftsmanship.
Mulliner – Bentley Motors’ bespoke division – continues to set the standard in handcrafted automotive luxury. The Flying Spur Mulliner offers a striking visual distinction, combining bespoke craftsmanship with the Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain as standard. The Galaxy Hotel collaborated with the team at Mulliner to meticulously design the luxury sedans, offering a sense of timeless elegance crafted at the renowned Dream Factory in Crewe.
The Pinnacle in Automotive Craftsmanship The new Flying Spur Mulliner is built around Bentley’s new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, endowing it with a breadth of capabilities. Capable of serene, silent progress in pure EV mode, the four-door sedan can travel for up to 47 miles (76 km), ideal for Zero Emission Zones or city travel, and with CO2 emissions 90 per cent lower than the previous generation Flying Spur Speed. The full electric mode can be deployed at speeds of up to 87 mph / 140 km/h, with throttle applications of up to 75 per cent for a quiet and refined driving experience.
The Mulliner versions define the pinnacle of the Bentley Flying Spur. On the exterior, the Pale Brodgar Mulliner paintwork is detailed with the signature emblem of The Galaxy Hotel, stenciled and hand-painted on the two front doors of each sedan. Custom Galaxy Hotel puddle lamps have also been commissioned to welcome guests as they step inside the cabin.
An Elegant Interior with Attention to Detail In the interior, all four seats come specified with Wellness Seating as standard. This includes Seat Auto Climate and Postural Adjust, which measures and maintains the perfect body temperature via zoned heating and ventilation, and soothingly and seamlessly varies the pressure on the occupants’ muscles throughout their journey to ensure fatigue is minimised. The attention to detail is highlighted further with hand stitched logos of The Galaxy Hotel to the seats. The rear passenger doors open to reveal a further hand stitched emblem detail that tucks away neatly once the Soft-Close Doors shut effortlessly.
Luxury Journeys Following the successful collaboration with The Peninsula London which saw four Bentayga hybrids become part of their in-house chauffeur fleet. Building on this relationship, The Peninsula Hong Kong commissioned a further eight Bentayga EWB Azures, now part of its house car offering. The Galaxy Macau Hotel, now securing the largest fleet of Flying Spurs in one location, reflects the growing appeal of Bentley among luxury hotels, who increasingly view the marque as the ultimate expression of refined, chauffeur-driven travel.
About Bentley From W.O. Bentley, who founded Bentley Motors in 1919, to the current team of over 4,000 dedicated colleagues, the company’s extraordinary cars have always been designed and built by exceptional people using only the finest of materials. From modest beginnings, Bentley has moved from strength to strength – in a relentless pursuit of both luxury and performance. W.O.’s vision continues to guide Bentley’s beliefs, actions and ambitions. Located in Crewe, England and owned by the Volkswagen Group since 1998, Bentley Motors remains the definitive British luxury car company, crafting the world’s most desirable high performance grand tourers. Bentley’s colleagues design, engineer and handcraft five bespoke models: Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Bentayga EWB. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations and engineering expertise is unique to Bentley. The luxury marque is creating a future driven by new technologies, materials, fuels and skills, in the pursuit of a progressive, new world: one in which the highest levels of luxury mobility are achieved with sustainable methods. The company’s Beyond100+ strategy promises to revolutionise the company to be exclusively electric from 2035.
On April 28, 1975 a one-off Porsche 917 race car left the Weissach development center. It headed not for a track – like every 917 before – but instead, and for the very first time, it took to public roads.
Atlanta. It was an audacious adventure driven by the passion of a private owner and the commitment of a small team within Porsche to fulfil the wishes of customers, no matter how outlandish the request. Fittingly, that first exploratory drive did not end after a prudent cruise around local roads, but when the car reached Paris – several hundred miles later. It was a feat that would go on to inspire many more adventures in the decades that would follow.
The car – 917 chassis 30 – which was originally raced, featured an array of changes that dominated endurance racing in the early 1970s. Some of the enhancements were mandated by the laws of the time, and others at the request of its owner – Italian businessman and Martine heir Gregorio Rossi di Montelera – known more simply as “Count Rossi”, a renowned powerboat racer, bobsledder and Porsche enthusiast.
Finished in Martini Silver, the car featured a set of rudimentary exhaust mufflers, additional mirrors, side indicators and even a horn. It carried the mandatory spare tire beneath its rear clamshell. Inside there were small concessions to comfort – the two seats (a requirement for endurance racers of this period) were re-finished in tan leather (commissioned from Hermes) with accompanying suede surfacers for the roof lining, doors and dashboard. The gear shifter retained the same wooden finish as the racers, and even kept the same drilled, lightweight key. The car originally wore an Alabama license plate obtained by Count Rossi.
Today the car is still enjoyed by its enthusiastic current owner on the open roads in the south of France where it resides – now registered in the U.K. and having undergone recent restoration work (albeit preserving its original paint and interior) to prepare it for its next half century of surprising other road users.
Importantly, as it’s descendent enjoys success on the track today, the spirit and desire within Porsche that allowed the creation of a 917 for the road all that time ago remains very much alive five decades on – prompting the question: what if?
About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA
Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of the Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan. The Porsche Car Configurator can be used by anyone to customize and pre-order any vehicle in that lineup at any time. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1998, PCNA is home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America, which features two module-based 1.6 mile driver development tracks, a business center and Restaurant 356. The campus is also home to the U.S. headquarters of Porsche Classic. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. That complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, Restaurant 917 and the headquarters of Porsche Motorsport North America. PCNA supports 203 independently owned and operated Porsche dealerships in the U.S., four Porsche studios and five satellite stores in the U.S., including supplying parts, service, marketing, and training. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand’s 75-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date.
What: 2023 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS Color: Paint to Sample Polar Silver Metallic(polarsilber; metallic UNI; A8 / 92E; Porsche) VIN: WP0BB2A94PS233597 Mileage: 2,819 miles Price: $247,979 AutoCheck:Link Window Sticker: See Gallery Location: Gas Motor Cars, Marietta, GA Listing:Gas Motor Cars
If you’re seeking a Sonderwunsch special that makes simple paint to sample builds look passé, the 911 Targa 4 GTS you see her definitely qualifies. On the outside, it’s a subtle play dipping into Paint to Sample services for a decidedly hard-to-spot derivative of silver.
It’s not that Polar Silver Metallic isn’t a great choice. It is, but most passers by of this car will likely pass it by. Should they peek inside though, there’s no missing the Agave Green leather. Dig in further and the blue accents on stitching, green and blue on the gauges, and even the Porsche crest logos on the wheels show a much deeper affinity for continuing a bold theme.
We love it. We love it so much that we’ve featured this car when it was on the market before. For the record, this highly distinctive and unique 992 Targa 4 GTS has been featured on this site before. Last July, the car was at Ferrari San Diego, and has returned now in Marietta, Georgia.
Kudos to Gas Motor Cars who have put up a much deeper mix of photos, and shots we’d argue do a better job showing the true green of the Agave leather, as well as the many other points of Sonderwunsch details.
What: 1996 BMW M3 Cabriolet Color: BMW Individual Glacier Green Metallic(metallic UNI; 335; BMW) VIN: Unknown Mileage: 18,500 km Price: € 119,950 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Driving Passion, s’-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Dealer Listing:Link
Yes, you read that right. An E36 M3 Cabriolet is six figures, and not just six figure but six figures in Euros. Is it worth it? Well, like many cars of this nature, if you have to ask then you likely aren’t in the running for it. Even still, we think it might be and here’s why.
First, it’s a poster child for BMW Individual. On the outside is subtle yet different Glacier Green Metallic, an ever-so-slightly tinted silver. Inside, it’s got extended Hazelnut Nappa nappa leather that would have had to have been special ordered.
Beyond that, the car has many options for the period, including seat heating, dual climate control, electric exterior mirrors, automatically dimming interior mirror and multi-function display.
There’s one more thing. The car has just 18,500 km on the odometer (11,495 miles), and presents in the photos as if new.
Yes, as perhaps the most subtle of the M3 lineage, we know the E36 isn’t the most desirable M3. To our eye, that only makes it desirable in its understatement… in the way a 964 Carrera RS sort of looks like any other Carrera 2 of its time. This was the standard operating procedure in the 1990s, and this M3 Cabriolet pulls it all off beautifully.
Not exactly one that rolls off the tongue, but as Juliet once told Romeo- what’s in a name? In this case, measuring a generous 24 characters spread over 7 syllables, quite a lot actually. Fish Silvergrey Metallic was added to Porsche’s Paint to Sample program in 2023, and meshes the aforementioned silvergrey with a tasteful hint of green. Nearly chromaflair-lite in execution and cost, Fish Silvergrey Metallic as seen here is quietly making a serious case for itself in the world of Tailored Driver.
Perhaps one of the more interesting items featured on Tailored Driver, this short wheelbase E38 generation 750i is equal parts enticing and terrifying. Want luxury? The BMW Individual Blue interior on this E38 has no shortage of it, from the Lay-Z-Boy style front buckets, to the center console mounted telephone, and the certainly very out of date Navigation/Cassette player combo. Love internal combustion? Great- twelve cylinders mean fuel will combust internally quite often. Sure, reliability will be questionable even with a running tab at your local BMW specialist, but it’ll be guaranteed to get a reaction out of even the most casual of observers.
