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This situation has been evolving for years. The fact of the matter is that there's rapidly dwindling demand for manual transmissions. Each powertrain combination must be certified with the Feds and is very costly to do. BMW can't justify the cost based on the small number of cars they sell and must choose which models to offer with a stick carefully. I would have gladly bought a 4 Series Cabrio but they don't sell it with a stick in the US. That's a major reason why I drive the M235i instead.
Years ago the BMW NA product development guys begged us to teach friends and family how to drive and appreciate manual transmissions, but they could see the handwriting on the wall. Combine this with the fact that automatics are really getting very good and the result is very limited choice if you like driving a stick.
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2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017)
2019 230i X-drive
2022 M3 base
2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon
SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
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