Climbing to the top of the corporate ladder can be, a dangerous journey fraught with never-ending days, political backstabbing, strained relationships and mental and physical exhaustion.

Thankfully, sacrifice seldom goes unrewarded. In no time you'll be upgrading bedsit for studio, studio for flat and by the time you hit semi-detached, life's a comfortable place to be. Better still, by the end of your first marriage there's a tantalising choice of vehicles to plump for.

The all-new fourth incarnation follows the trend of ditching cloth top for cold steel. It also gains unusual two-door saloon roof-up looks, but the fact it looks splendid with the roof down and doesn't have the huge humpback that can afflict convertibles compensates.

So, could the standard Coupe's days be numbered?

BMW says "no", claiming the Coupe attracts a more "hardcore" clientele desiring better handling. In contrast, the Convertible has a softer, better ride, but that does little to affect the well-balanced handling that's at the top of the class. As for the drive, we could only detect a slight quiver in the steering rack and a small rattle roof up over big bumps.

Both ride and handling will no doubt be compromised by the forthcoming M-tec sports suspension that 80% will opt for.

We drove both the 218PS 3.0-litre in the 325i and the 306PS 3.0-litre turbo in the 335i, focusing on the former. Both are compromised by a hefty 235kg weight penalty over the coupe that blunts performance. In manual form on country roads the 325i's engine needs working hard to get its best, which is no chore since it's an engine of impeccable smoothness and willingness accompanied by a sonorous backing track.

Despite being heavier and quicker than before, the new car slips into a remarkable 25% BIK tax band and averages a superb 35.8mpg.

BMW hasn't rested on its laurels when it comes to costs - the car comprehensively beats everything we threw up against it.

We have already declared the 3-series saloon the best in the business - now we can say the same for the Convertible, making all those sacrifices a little more bearable.

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