Cars.co.za recently attended the local launch of the BMW 4-Series convertible in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The launch gave us the opportunity to also sample the new BMW 2-Series.

I almost didn’t get to Durban as my Mango flight suffered a technical difficulty and needed a component replacing. A two hour delay meant I had catching up to do when I finally got behind the wheel. There are two options available at launch, the 428i convertible and the 435i convertible. I jumped into the 435i convertible and set off.

Folding metal roof

The 4-Series convertible is an exceptionally pretty car and screams classiness. At the heart of the BMW 4-Series convertible is a folding hardtop roof which can be opened and closed in an extraordinarily short space of time. How does 20 seconds sound? What’s even better is you can put the roof up/down while the car is moving slowly. Sadly, the number one gripe with folding metal roofs is the lack of boot space, and the 4-Series convertible suffers.

With the roof down, my co-driver from Wheels24 and I were barely able to squeeze our overnight luggage in the hold. However, there’s a new feature which allows you to increase the dimensions of the boot aperture without having to put the roof up completely. Still, the bottom line is if you have lots to carry then you’re going to have to put the roof up.

Engines and derivatives

Right now there are two engines available, as mentioned earlier. There’ll be a 420i model joining the ranks later on this year and it’ll have 135 kW and 270 Nm. The 428i is a turbocharged 2.0-litre with 180 kW and 350 Nm, which is good for a 0-100km/h dash in about 6.5 seconds. The 435i makes do with the delectable 3.0-litre turbo’d six-cylinder motor which has 225 kW and 400 Nm.

I was in the 435i convertible for the duration of the launch, so I’ll be talking mostly about that. Its power goes to the rear wheels through a lovely eight-speed gearbox and when you’re changing gear through the steering wheel-mounted paddles, there’s an addictive and aggressive pop out the twin exhausts. The 435i is not short on speed either and mid-range acceleration is particularly grin inducing.

Launch route

The launch route took us from King Shaka Airport and up the N3 to Pietermaritzburg, then we turned off and drove the sweeping and winding roads of the sugar cane fields towards Port Shepstone. I’ll have to admit to putting the roof up soon after setting off as the heat and humidity was becoming a bit much. I’m happy to say the common convertible affliction of rattling and scuttle shake was nowhere to be found on the new BMW 4-Series convertible.

Summary

It’s a relaxing drive too, with the car aimed to be more of a boulevard cruiser rather than an out-and-out performance vehicle. I just can’t get enough of how nice that engine sounds and how lovely the eight-speed gearbox is. The price of the BMW 435i convertible does seem like an awful lot of money once you’ve specced it up, but then again who am I to complain? I’m not the target market and I’m sure many enthusiasts have already put down their deposits for what is a very stylish and classy convertible.

BMW 4-Series convertible price in South Africa

BMW 4-Series convertible gallery