The BMW 4 Series convertible might be on the porky side, but it's deceptively quick and hugely entertaining
BMW’s 4 Series hardtop convertible reminds me of a gym buddy with whom I sometimes kibitz with during workouts. Though in good shape, he is, shall I say, a touch on the hefty side. One of his favourite excuses is, “I have the physique of an Adonis; it’s just hidden under 20 pounds of fat.”
The 440i xDrive four-seat droptop — receiving a subtle restyling for the 2018 model year — ticks most of the right boxes; sleek, quick and fully functional as four-season transport, thanks to BMW’s well-regarded all-wheel-drive system and a metal roof that seals the car as tight as a drum when in place.
But it also tips the scales at 1,964 kilograms, more than most compact crossovers — or a pair of Clydesdales. Naturally, much of that weight goes to strengthening the body to cope with the loss of a fixed roof, as well as all the mechanical bits necessary to move that same roof into position. And, goodness me, it is built like a brick outhouse. I drove over railway tracks more than a few times, placing one hand on the windshield header to feel if there was any cowl shake over the bumpy surface. That would be a big no!
Furthermore, through some suspension of certain laws regarding physics — where heavy is often synonymous with slow — the cabrio is seemingly unaffected. The great equalizer seems to be the 440i’s engine, the robust “TwinPower Turbo” inline six-cylinder engine, which in standard 440i form, pumps out an estimable 320 horsepower. Despite the TwinPower appellation, the inline-six sports a single turbocharger. It’s also bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddles for self-shifting.
Not bad, though hardly a standout. Wait, there’s more! Among the numerous options that inflated the price of the tester to a jaw-dropping $89,485 — from a base price of $71,050 (and more on this later) — were the M Performance Package and M Performance Package II ($4,800 for both). The combination of the two adds M Sport brakes, adaptive M suspension and 19-inch rims and tires, plus a healthy power boost — 35 more ponies and 30 extra pound-feet of torque. Not quite the 425-horsepower M4 – more like an “M4 lite” – this fortified, 355-horsepower 440i xDrive convertible has plenty of juice to hang tough with the likes of its Teutonic rivals, namely the newer 354-HP Audi S5 and Mercedes‘ 329-horsepower E 400 4Matic cabriolets.
Yet, swift as the 440i is – zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, according to BMW – it’s as a top-down cruiser that defines the car’s goodness. Yes, it’s a proper sporting car, speedy when the throttle is given a push, especially in Sport or Sport+ modes. There’s also Comfort — the default — and Eco Pro when you really want to dial it back. And with all the M Performance package goodies it will corner flat and grip the road like Ebenezer Scrooge holding on to his last shilling. Still, there are more appropriate machines from BMW for that sort of thing.
No, you want to push the centre console button and listen to the whirring as the top folds up and fits flush into the body. Any droptop will put a smile on your face on a warm and sunny day; the 440i expands that into a Cheshire cat grin. Credit a quiet cabin that allows minimal wind intrusion for the front-seat occupants — at least until about 80 km/h or so — meaning conversations can be carried on in normal tones. At highway speeds, not so much, especially when trying to converse with somebody in the back seat. Speaking of, the car is either a legitimate four-seater or a 2+2, depending on how tall the occupants are.
Or, forget talking and groove to the tunes emanating from the excellent Harman-Kardon sound system. Better yet, shut everything down and pay attention to the hum of the tires on the tarmac and the varying tones from the twin exhaust pipes – depending on the drive mode, the sound changes from a mellow drone to a deep bass trumpet. Top down, the air is fresher, birds are chirping, colours are brighter — and the world is a better, happier place. If it were possible to check your blood pressure, you’d find it 20 points lower.
And should you find the evening getting a little nippy, imbedded in the seat is what BMW calls an air collar, which gently blows warm air onto the back of your neck. Unfortunately, it’s not standard but part of a $6,000 Premium Enhanced package that throws in a bunch of unnecessary stuff, but also a couple of things that make cruising more pleasant: the aforementioned Harman-Kardon sound system, a head-up display, front and rear park distance control, etc.
If there is a letdown, it’s the 4 Series’ cabin. The layout seems coldly practical, with the dash and centre stack displaying a clear functional intent over overt luxury (Mercedes is doing a much better job these days in that department). However, while most 3 and 4 Series models tend to be rather drab, especially in black, the tester’s Opal White Extended Merino leather seats and contrasting door trim certainly brightened up the environment. It’s not the most practical shade, though, and initially looked like a quartet of short Imperial stormtroopers was sitting in the car.
After making its debut with the new BMW 5 Series, the latest version of the iDrive infotainment system is also standard on the 4 Series range. The sixth iteration of the display now arranges infotainment functions into six live tiles (three tiles x two pages). These individual tiles can be rearranged in any order and continuously display information in real time.
The 4 Series is also available with a full digital multifunctional instrument display as part of the Premium packages, giving the driver the choice of different display options depending on the driving mode selected. Comfort mode brings a more classic display layout inspired by the traditional analogue instrument cluster. The standard displays show speed, engine revs, fuel gauge, engine oil temperature, the current fuel consumption and the gear selected. If the more efficient Eco Pro mode is selected, the driver is notified of additional range and brake energy regeneration performance. With Sport, readouts such as vehicle speed, engine revs or the engine’s current output show up.
Convertibles as a whole are all about the want, not the need – and those from German automakers are especially self-indulgent; the Audi S5 and Mercedes-Benz E 400 4Matic will, like the 440i xDrive, start in the low $70,000 range and escalate from there.
Porky yet still deceptively quick, the 440i xDrive is hugely entertaining, handsome — the tester’s Snapper Rocks Blue Metallic paint garnering much praise — and somewhat practical, thanks to its all-wheel drivetrain. Clearly there are less expensive droptops to be had — or faster, if that is your preference. Ones that combine effortless sportiness and proportional sophistication are far fewer. BMW’s 4 Series convertible is solidly in this camp.
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