BMW 4 Series Convertible Review

Introduction

The 4 Series Convertible is a top-down version of BMW’s popular coupe, itself a three-door version of the even-more popular 3 Series. It mixes premium appeal through eye-catching looks and some of the latest in-car tech with an engaging driving experience that its immediate rivals can’t match. The ability to drop down the fabric roof and get the wind through your hair only adds to the experience, but with the roof up it’s nearly as quiet as a regular coupe.

At a Glance

The 4 Series Convertible shares much of its mechanical underpinnings with the 3 Series, which has long been a hugely popular executive car in the UK. That means it’s the perfect size for a lot of customers – not too big and not too small – and comes in at a very reasonable budget, considering the amount of performance, fun and equipment you get. Unlike some other convertibles, it’s a genuine four-seater, even if space is tight for adults in the back. Petrol and diesel engines are available, all of them with plenty of oomph to make the most of the car’s agility through the corners, and mild-hybrid technology helps to keep the fuel bills down.

Key Features

The 4 Series range effectively comprises sportier, sexier and slightly less practical versions of the 3 Series; what you lose in interior and boot space, you gain in rakish good looks and even more fun behind the wheel. The Convertible is a top-down version of the 4 Series Coupe, and shares its sporty demeanour, looks and beefy engine line-up. It has a soft-top roof that can stow or deploy at the touch of a button while driving at speeds of up to 31mph, which means it’s relatively easy to quickly pull the cover on when an unexpected rain shower arrives.

Inside, the 4 Series Convertible is every inch the premium environment, with a great design, top-notch build quality and some cutting-edge tech courtesy of one of the best infotainment systems on the market. The trim range isn’t as broad as some other BMW models, and all have a sporty vibe as befits the character of the car. You can have a relatively efficient petrol or diesel model, or a more performance-focused M440i, which has bags of horsepower for a sportscar-like experience. There’s also a proper performance model, called the M4 Convertible, but we’ll cover that in a separate review.

Performance & Drive

You’ve got a range of petrol and diesel engine choices in the 4 Series Convertible, all of which have plenty of grunt to them.

The entry-level petrol model is the 420i, which uses a 2.0-litre engine with 184 horsepower. It’s a strong unit with a decent amount of power, and combined with the agile chassis makes for an engaging, fun driving experience. For many people, its combination of reasonable performance and reasonable fuel economy will make it a very solid choice. However, plenty of BMW customers want extra performance, in which case they should check out the 430i. This uses the same 2.0-litre engine, but with power upped to 245hp, which feels much stronger underfoot.

If you’re doing longer distances, a diesel model might suit you better because while diesel fuel is more expensive, you’ll get better fuel economy. The 420d is a 2.0-litre diesel with 190hp and has bags of low-end grunt for effortless acceleration. The 430d is more of the same, with 286hp from a 3.0-litre straight-six.

At the top of the tree is the M440i and M440d models, which for some will be the perfect blend of comfort, performance and top-down luxury. The petrol-powered M440i is really well judged, with a 3.0-litre, straight-six turbocharged petrol engine that makes 374 horsepower. It’s got four-wheel drive as standard, and that means acceleration from standstill is seriously rapid, reaching 62mph in less than five seconds. The M440d is the diesel equivalent, with 340hp from a 3.0-litre straight six, and loads of torque.

All versions of the Convertible feel great on the move, especially in winding country roads where the steering is full of feel and, while it’s heavier than the Coupe upon which it’s based, it still feels agile, engaging and fun. This isn’t an uncompromising sports car, however – it’s comfortable enough to easily cope with long-distance drives, and we’d be more than happy to take it across Europe.

In all models, you can drop the roof to commune with nature and feel the wind in your hair. Doing so can add to the fun and exhilaration of driving, but pop the roof back up with a touch of a button and you’ll find that it does a really decent job of keeping the outside world at bay. Sure, the coupe is a bit quieter with its metal insulation, but road and wind noise in the Convertible is impressively low.

Running costs & Emissions

Leasing costs for the 4 Series Convertible are very comparable with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Convertible, although you can get into an Audi A5 Cabriolet for a chunk less per month. The A5 is a lovely car, with a great interior, but it’s not as much fun as the BMW.

You’ll get the best fuel consumption from the diesel models, which is useful to know if you do a lot of longer journeys. According to official tests, the 420d promises up to 57.6mpg, the 430d will get up to 52.3mpg and even the beefy M440d should give you up to 45.6mpg.

The petrol models promise 41.5mpg from the 420i and 40.4mpg from the 430i. The M440i should give you up to 35.3mpg.

Insurance will be fairly pricey on what is a premium car. The 4 Series Convertible sits in insurance groups 33 to 45, depending on model.

Interior & Technology

BMW has upped the design and quality of its interiors in recent years, and the 4 Series Convertible is a great example of that. So too is the regular 4 Series, and for that matter, the 3 Series, as they all share the same basic interior. Build quality is excellent as are the materials used, and it feels every inch a premium machine. You sit relatively low to give a sportier feel, but there’s a feeling of plush luxury that makes it a very comfortable machine to spend long periods of time in.

Like the other cars in BMW’s range, the 4 Series Convertible has one of the best infotainment systems on the market. It looks good, has plenty of features and, crucially, it’s easy to use, either through the big widescreen touchscreen or by the dial controller between the front seats. Unlike many rival systems, it’s relatively simple to adjust settings and features on the move, without having to glance away from the road. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard. Optional tech includes a brilliant upgraded sound system from Harman Kardon.

Practicality & Boot Space

Space up front in the 4 Series Convertible is excellent, with more than enough room for two tall adults. It’s tighter in the back, but the two rear seats are usable, which isn’t always the case with convertibles. Taller adults will find headroom a bit tight, but legroom is ok. Kids should be fine.

Boot space is compromised over the 4 Series Coupe because of the need to store the folded roof there. Put the roof up and you’ll have 385 litres of space to play with, which is about the same as in a Ford Focus, but with the roof down it decreases to 300 litres. You get more space than you would in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet, but for the roomiest luggage space in a convertible, look at the Audi A5 Cabriolet. The rear seats fold down for larger, longer items, but only as one, rather than the split seats you’ll find in other cars; if you want to carry a bit of flat-pack furniture and someone in the back, you’re out of luck.

General storage space is good for a car of this type, with big door pockets and a generous glovebox, as well as storage space under the centre armrest.

Safety

Safety organisation Euro NCAP tested the 4 Series Convertible in 2019 and gave it a maximum five-star score, with particular praise given to its adult occupant protection and ist protection of vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and horses. All models are packed with safety features, including automatic emergency braking and a lane-departure warning system. More systems are available as part of options packs, most notably the Driving Assistant Professional Pack. This adds a lane-keeping assistance system that will stop you drifting out of your lane unintentionally, and front cross-traffic alert, which protects against oncoming traffic at T-junctions.

Options

The 4 Series Convertible comes with a relatively small choice of trims. In the standard, non-M models, you can choose from two versions of the M Sport trim, which gives you a sporty look.

Standard M Sport cars have Alpine White paint as standard and a black roof. They ride on 18-inch alloy wheels and have a choice of four leather upholstery colours on the seats. M Sport Pro cars upgrade to 19-inch wheels and more sophisticated adaptive suspension, which you can adjust for more stiffness or softness. You get a choice of three metallic paint colours as standard.

The M440i and M440d have similar levels of equipment. They ride on 19-inch wheels as standard, and have different grey finishes to various exterior elements, including the front grille and side mirrors. Metallic paint, a three-zone air conditioning, adaptive suspension and front and rear parking sensors are all included.

Unlike some other manufacturers, who like to bundle all the features into trim levels and leave little room for personalisation, BMW lets you add loads of different optional features. There are too many to list here, but they include various packs – we particularly like the Technology Pack, which adds a head-up display to project driving information onto the windscreen, and the upgraded Harman Kardon sound system. There are all sorts of alloy wheel designs and leather upholstery options and myriad extras, from a heated steering wheel to a Warm Air Collar, which blows hot air on your neck when the roof is down on chilly days.

Rival Cars

The obvious rivals to the 4 Series Convertible come from BMW’s main competition, namely Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The Mercedes C-Class Convertible can be leased for a very similar price to the BMW and is highly recommended. It sits a little more towards the comfort end of the driving experience spectrum, compared to the more sporty BMW, but it looks great, has a lovely interior and is relaxing to drive. The Audi has an even nicer interior, has plenty of space and some very strong engines, but it’s less involving to drive than the BMW.

For something a bit less premium but with a fantastic American muscle car vibe, you could also consider the Ford Mustang Convertible.

Verdict & Next Steps

The 4 Series Convertible is part of a three-way premium convertible battle between BMW, Audi and Mercedes. To be honest, all are pretty great in their own way, and anyone looking for a top-notch interior and a comfortable drive will be happy with any of them. What the BMW has over its rivals is a sense of dynamism, a sporty edge to the driving experience, especially in the more powerful models. It does that without overly compromising comfort, which means you can cruise for hours on the motorway, or turn off onto a twisty B-road and enjoy the way it feels as you drive. That you can drop the roof and get the wind in your hair only adds to the feeling of engagement. With a range of engines and trim levels to suit different budgets, it’s a very tempting prospect, and we’d heartily recommend it.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews of the BMW 4 Series Convertible

**Correct as of 18/01/2022. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments or £4,503.51Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.