BMW 4 Series Convertible

The 4 Series is the sleeker iteration of the 3 Series, and borrows a lot from the full-fledged BMW M4 Competition, including the controversial ‘beaver tooth’ grille. All chrome is replaced by gloss black, the colour extending to the wing mirrors, bumpers and headlamp internals. A nice detail is the intricate laser-light tail-lamp elements. There’s a nice set of 19-inch alloys, and unlike the previous 4’s folding hard-top roof, this one goes back to a soft-top layout.

It’s surprisingly spacious, especially in the rear seat, which can house shorter adults without issue. Headroom is less with the roof in place, of course. The 385-litre boot is oddly shaped, but can take a surprising amount of luggage. The front seats are comfy and supportive, with power adjust but no ventilation. The cabin design is identical to the 3 Series, which is a bit disappointing and ordinary, but it is practical, with some physical controls.

Dual screens – a 14.9-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch dials – look slick but their UI is lacking somewhat in usability. Other features include powered seats with memory, a wireless phone charger, adaptive LED headlamps, dual-zone auto climate control, auto park assist, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. ADAS features include adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, and the 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system sounds excellent.

The 374hp 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is smooth and strong, paired to a quick-shifting 8-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive. Acceleration is strong, power delivery is efficient and 0-100kph comes up in just 4.4sec. The engine sounds nice but quite muted for a sporty model, and begs for the roof to be kept open. However, it works well in Comfort mode too, with relaxed gear shifts and smooth power delivery.

The BMW M440i xDrive convertible mileage is rated at 12kpl on the WLTP cycle, which is good for a performance luxury convertible that’s 165kg heavier than its sedan counterpart. The best part is, thanks to an effective Efficiency drive mode, engine stop/start and an engine that’s unstressed at low RPMs, it can delivery good real-world efficiency too. Driven carefully, expect it to deliver in the high single digits or low double digits.

Thanks to the inclusion of adaptive suspension, the M440i convertible can go from sharp handler to comfy cruiser at the push of a button. In Comfort mode there’s genuine luxury sedan levels of comfort and the steering is light. In Sport Plus, the suspension tenses up and the steering feels heavier and more engaging. Handling feels sharp and playful, and the weight disadvantage to an M340i can barely be felt.

Packing in a lot of features, a sporty body style, and of course a potent six-cylinder engine, the M440i xDrive convertible makes a convincing case for the convertible as a whole. It also loses little to the M340i in terms of performance or handling, and instead adds a layer of drama and flair. Its biggest achievement, however, is that it remains usable as an everyday car, giving it a versatility one doesn’t usually associate with convertibles.