BMW

I joined the crowds who caught "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" during its first weekend and enjoyed the brief BMW moments placed in the film. A recent 5 Series driver switches to Sport mode to help Spider-Man chase a villain inside a tank, while later a foe arrives in an iX3 after dark. Several matching BMW promotions have appeared, and viewers have responded in a calm manner.

Rather than tying the query directly to the film, I pose a wider question today: What is your favorite BMW? Following the debut of the new i3 earlier this year, I invited readers to share their preferred 3 Series generation or variant, and many will likely name the 3 Series or M4 again, yet any BMW from the firm's 110-year past is fair game. I may even allow a concept or race car as an answer.

Well, obviously

BMW

This choice proves tough for me. Although I favor Mercedes-Benz first and count myself American second, BMWs from nearly every period hold strong appeal. I count myself among those who supported Chris Bangle early on, so the E85 Z4, E63 6 Series and E65 7 Series rank high. I also admire the 507 and the Z8 it inspired, the shark-nose E31 8 Series, the 1960s E9 in all forms, and unusual models such as the Z1.

BMW

Still, the original i3 stands as my top BMW. We at Jalopnik appreciate the i3, and most automotive writers share that view, so this stance may sound familiar. The i3 feels truly distinctive. It reveals what BMW achieves when designers and engineers gain real freedom and shows the potential of a city car. Who would not want a rear-drive space capsule featuring a carbon tub, coach doors and eucalyptus wood trim? Above all, it continues to feel more forward-looking than any other vehicle made this century.

I felt let down when BMW stepped away from the bold direction set by the i3 and its i8 partner, moving instead into an extended stretch of safe, conventional designs. Happily, the brand is regaining momentum. The iX became the first BMW since the i3 to spark that same lively response, and the Neue Klasse concepts look even stronger. Yet what about you? Which BMW ranks as your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments and I will collect the best replies later this week.