CT Poll: Retro BMW E30 Or Modern 4-Series? Vote Now!

Is there a more accessible aspirational car than the BMW 3-Series Coupe?

There's nothing particularly special about a two-door 3-Series, as summed up simply from uttering the phrase "two-door 3-Series". But coupes have always been that little sexier than the cars they're based on, and your average 3-Series is already a car that people aspire to own.

By calling the latest 3-Series-based coupe a 4-Series BMW isn't really fooling anyone, but like its forebears it's a handsome beast and sure to be a sales success.

BMW's latest design language translates quite well onto the sleeker silhouette. If we're honest, it's not hugely different from the previous 3er Coupe, but then that car never looked too bad and the new car adds a healthy dose of aggression with its extra digit.

The front end is clearly evolved from the 3, but we spy a hint of BMW i8 in there too - BMW's supremely sexy plug-in hybrid sports car due in a year or two.

On the side you get a set of vents, and there's an ever-so-subtle hint of flared rear wheel arch too. Of course, you can read all about this in our proper preview.

Personally, we're looking forward to the new model relaxing prices of the previous 3-Series Coupe, and those benefits filtering down the line. E46 3-Series Coupes are already available for around a grand, and E36 models have been that (and less) for yonks.

CT Editor Alex's old E30 coupe sits pretty and slammed in a studio

One which won't tumble any further is the E30 3-Series.

At its best in two-door form - the forerunner of today's coupes - E30 values are inexorably creeping up, after reaching rock bottom in the last five years or so. Look at the price of a minty 325i model and you'll see what we mean - it's not difficult to spend £5k on one these days.

But just how good is the E30 looking these days? Those quad headlights, the slatted grille, the straight-cut lines and the compact body - it's everything we love about the 1-Series Coupe, only lighter and more elegant.

It also offers that old-school driving experience, with dainty narrow pillars giving you a great view out, a bus-like steering wheel and plenty of interaction with the road. Treat that throttle pedal with respect though - it's a long time since the E30 was cutting edge, and while it'll do sideways stuff all day, you need quick reactions to catch it on the slow-witted steering.

But because the E30 is deep into retro territory, it'll only get cooler from here on in. And don't even get us started on the M3...

Does the new 4-Series have what it takes, or would your money be going on an old 3-Series?