[fmorelli]

Some deals are not meant to be. Pursue with diligence but don't force something that won't work.

Dealers hate manual transmission cars. That said I disagree with the other poster's comment about their not being desirable. Not so. Few are sold new (at high retail prices) but the small number of them are desired by enthusiasts. Been that way forever with BMWs. But dealerships are about turnovers, not selling one-off purple squirrels.

So generally speaking, my experience is that factory dealerships (BMW/Mercedes/...) sell odd-ball cars at good prices. I bought my last three cars from BMW and Mercedes dealers ... my Z4 stick for dirt cheap, a 535d (diesel ... another oddball), and a MB bluetec (another oddball). A bit of patience and you'll get what you want, at a decent price. I'm sure of it.

Good luck,

Filippo