Hi all!, I am from Vancouver, no not Canada, Washington (state), it's right near Portland, OR. I bought my 2006 330i in August 2012. It has the adaptive HID headlights, sports package, and asymmetrical wheel sizes with run flat Potenzas. Unfortunately it has an automatic, it was a requirement that was put in place by the budget committee. It is black on black. The dealer that I bought it from included holograms and swirls in the paint at no extra charge. I picked up a bunch of Griot's supplies from Neil at Sidedraught City in Portland and will spend some time in the garage polishing and waxing. This is the first BMW I have ever owned. I have owned mostly Honda's and Toyota's with an 1970 MGB and 1980 Fiat X1/9 in past. I have to say that I am very impresssed with the level of grip that the car has, and that is only based on what I have experienced on the street at this point. I am hoping that the budget committee with find the funds to let me do some track days in the future. I joined the BMW CCA a few months ago and just signed up to attend the Portland Historic Races this summer.
Welcome to the group. I understand the trouble with getting things past the budget committee. Good Luck!
Yeah, welcome to the asylum! Sometimes it's easier to go with an automatic than to teach somebody how to drive a manual!