In a world dominated by heavy and rather uninspiring SUVs, I welcome every manufacturer that continues to offer niche models whose philosophy prioritises driving enjoyment above all else. With its enormous product range, BMW is certainly one such company.
Today we will revisit the feeling of summer by taking a closer look at the four-seat convertible version of the BMW 4 Series Convertible — and to make things more entertaining, we are testing it in its most powerful variant.
What kind of experience does the BMW M440i Cabrio deliver on the road? And how does it differ from the BMW Z4 and the coupe version of the 4 Series? Let’s find out.
Design
After spending about ten minutes wondering where to begin the design section and how to avoid the obvious topic, I eventually gave up. Although I already discussed them during my test of the BMW 4 Series Coupe, the large kidney grilles that caused so much debate among BMW fans about a year ago remain the number one topic whenever the 4 Series is mentioned.
They give the front of the car a very distinctive character. While many people have gradually become accustomed to them, I still encounter plenty of enthusiasts who simply cannot accept them.
My own opinion is somewhat moderate. They do not particularly excite me, but I certainly would not dismiss the car because of them. That said, I would probably order the optional BMW Individual Hochglanz Shadow Line package, which paints the grille frame in black and makes it slightly less visually dominant.
Apart from the grille, there is nothing controversial about the design. It relies on classic proportions and familiar BMW styling elements, achieving a result that combines boldness, elegance and dynamic presence.
One detail that deserves attention is the fabric roof. After two generations with a folding metal roof, BMW’s compact convertible returns to its roots with a soft top. From an aesthetic perspective I believe this is a good decision. It creates lighter proportions and reinforces the car’s clear convertible identity.
The test car features the M package, which is standard for this engine version. It includes sport bumpers, side skirts, specific exhaust tips and larger wheels. These details noticeably enhance the car’s visual presence and suit the overall design perfectly.
Another element worth highlighting is the beautiful Sanremo Green metallic paint. After years of buyers choosing mainly white, black or various shades of grey, it is refreshing to see the return of genuine colours in the automotive world — not just at BMW. This particular green suits the 4 Series extremely well, giving it a mature yet distinctive look.
Interior
The interior of the BMW M440i Cabrio does not come as a surprise. What we find here are the familiar BMW qualities: high build quality, comfort and a recognisable design.
I appreciate that the infotainment display is not grotesquely large, as has become fashionable recently. Its size is perfectly adequate for clear visibility and easy interpretation of information for anyone with decent eyesight.
Operating the system is convenient, not only because of its sensible size but also because BMW currently offers one of the best infotainment systems on the market. It is intuitive, smooth and visually clear. A big part of that positive impression comes from the rotary controller on the centre console and the physical shortcut buttons, meaning BMW does not rely solely on the rather inconvenient capacitive touchscreen.
The choice of interior materials is also impressive. The 4 Series offers options including textile upholstery, synthetic leather, natural leather or fine natural leather, along with an equally wide selection of colours. There are also seven decorative trim options available.
The test car features a classic combination of Vernasca Oyster beige leather and decorative elements made from open-pore oak wood.
Interesting details include the seatbelt presenter system for the front seats and the optional Air Collar, priced at roughly €570. This is a neck and shoulder heating system integrated into the front seats, and it works well enough to allow driving with the roof down even in cooler weather — although, to be honest, a good scarf might achieve a similar effect.
When it comes to practicality and space, the situation is good considering that the rear seats are typically used only occasionally in cars like this.
In the front, comfort is comparable to that of the 4 Series Coupe — which is to say, excellent. My only minor complaint concerns the somewhat small door pockets.
The rear seats, as expected, are less impressive. Access is extremely easy — provided the roof is down. Legroom is limited, although technically it exists. The biggest compromise in comfort comes from the very upright seatbacks, which are positioned that way to create enough space for the folded soft roof.
On the positive side, the rear passengers still benefit from high-quality materials, two cupholders and even separate climate control buttons, as the car features three-zone climate control.
Finally, we come to the boot. Its capacity is 385 litres, which sounds impressive at first. Before you conclude that the 4 Series Convertible is as practical as many hatchbacks, however, there is a catch. Those 385 litres are arranged in a rather awkward way — the boot is long but quite shallow.
Overall, the interior is a very pleasant place to spend time, offering a strong sense of quality and comfort. If you view the 4 Series Convertible as a two-seater, it provides plenty of space and practicality. If you expect it to function as a true four-seater, however, a few compromises inevitably become apparent.
There are two things I encountered here that I genuinely did not like. The wireless phone charger in the centre console does not work particularly well, as it tends to overheat the phone instead of charging it. The second issue concerns the available configurations. The optional ventilated front seats — which in my opinion are essential for a convertible — are not compatible with some of the standard leather upholstery options. Why? That remains a bit of a mystery.
On the road
The BMW 4 Series Convertible offers a choice of four engines (excluding the M4). The base option is a 2.0-litre petrol unit with 184 hp. Next comes a diesel — yes, a diesel in a convertible in 2021 — producing 190 hp.
After that comes what is arguably the sweet spot in terms of price and performance: the 430i. Its 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 245 hp and accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.
At the top sits the engine found in my test car. It is a 3.0-litre inline-six producing 374 hp and 500 Nm of torque, assisted by an 11-hp mild-hybrid starter generator.
This is an engine that delivers a classic emotional experience on the road, and here at Roadhunter we have already encountered it in the BMW X3, the BMW Z4 and the coupe version of the 4 Series.
Because the convertible is about 150 kg heavier than the coupe, the acceleration is slightly slower — but still impressive. The sprint to 100 km/h takes 4.9 seconds, compared with 4.5 seconds for the lighter coupe. The gearbox is an eight-speed automatic, and power is sent to all four wheels via xDrive all-wheel drive.
On a warm summer day I climbed into the green convertible and started the engine, which filled the garage at BMW Bulgaria with a pleasant, powerful yet not overly aggressive sound. I selected Eco mode and headed into the city.
In this mode the car becomes calm and easy to drive in urban conditions. The suspension provides good comfort — road imperfections are noticeable but not irritating. The solidly assembled interior and roof produce no creaks or noises, which is always reassuring in a convertible.
As expected, rear visibility is not among the car’s strengths. In city driving the M440i Cabrio returned an average fuel consumption of 10.6 L/100 km, which is quite reasonable.
Later that evening, once the air in Sofia became slightly less polluted, I finally lowered the roof. The operation takes 18 seconds and can be performed at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
That transformation made me truly fall for the car. I have always liked convertibles because they can turn even the most ordinary journeys into memorable experiences — provided it is not raining, too cold, too hot, too windy or too polluted.
That summer evening, however, with empty city streets, I spent hours simply enjoying the car and rediscovering the charm of the city at night in a way that only a convertible can provide.
The following day I took the car on a familiar route: Sofia – Zheleznitsa – Samokov – Sofia. It is a road with plenty of corners, beautiful views and little traffic if you choose the right time. Switching between Comfort and Sport modes depending on the situation, I headed towards the Rila mountains.
The car is engaging to drive but remains more stable and comfortable than aggressive. The steering is quick and precise without feeling nervous, while the engine delivers impressive power. I often slowed down deliberately, only to accelerate hard again on every empty straight stretch of road. The reason is simple: the way the M440i accelerates, combined with the sound of the inline-six at higher revs and the rush of fresh air entering the cabin at speed, creates an atmosphere that is almost addictive. For me, the closest comparison would be a roller coaster.
Interestingly, with the roof closed the convertible is no noisier than the coupe. This level of insulation allows relaxed long-distance travel without compromises. It is precisely this combination of power, acoustic comfort, compliant suspension and a high-quality interior that makes the 4 Series Convertible feel suitable for almost any situation.
The average fuel consumption during the test was 9.2 L/100 km, which is more than respectable. During the most economical section of the drive, completed at an average speed of 91 km/h, the car achieved just 6.6 L/100 km.
Conclusion
The BMW 4 Series Convertible demonstrates just how usable a convertible can be.
The car combines excellent road manners with comfort that subjectively feels very close to that of the coupe version. Inside, we find the typical BMW strengths: high-quality materials, excellent infotainment and modern safety systems.
The available engines and equipment options also show that the model can even serve as a surprisingly practical family car. Imagine crossing Germany efficiently with two bicycles mounted on the optional tow-bar rack, reaching the Alps, lowering the roof and continuing towards Sölden for your summer holiday.
The M440i version enhances the model with impressive performance, but without turning it into a hardcore sports car. Yes, the car is very fast, but the driving experience is not overly demanding or intense. Instead, it offers accessible performance, which I believe suits more mature drivers looking for the best possible powertrain.
Those who want a truly sporty open BMW can step deeper into the range with the BMW M4 Convertible (around €20,000 more) or choose the 300-kg lighter BMW Z4 M40i, which would also save roughly €10,000.
eng. Tsvetan Iliev
