I was also a bit disappointed by what I've seen from the new 2013/14 BMW vehicles.
I think the stylings gotten a bit bland, even the M5 IMO. And the new one series is a bit too smooth. I wonder is this is all designed with max fuel economy in mind. Anyway, that's part of the reason I wanted to get in and order one of the last '12s before the redesign...oh, and the V8.
Well that and like you said, all I found used around Europe were cars with DCTs and I wanted 6MT for the driving pleasure
Stay safe in the "stan. I just got back.