BMW convertibles generally strike a good pose with their top up or down.
With the top down, the slim profile of the car is accentuated by the shaped metal enclosing it; a flowing form that gracefully sweeps from front to rear. You may wish to upsize the tyres, though that will affect its efficiency.
There have been many comments about the grille on the new BMW models, and here’s an example of a disproportionately big one. Fortunately, the number plate breaks up the shape.
The light array in the tail seems to make the back look larger. It may be the thicker edge of the wedge profile, but with the twin tail pipes, curved brake lights and busy bumper design, there seems to be a lot going on.
The black rag top performs an 18-second ballet piece as it pops up and into the boot, even at speeds up to 50 kmh. Despite the top tucked in, there’s decent boot space.
Getting into the back of this four-seater requires flexibility. With the top up, it’s like doing some variant of the limbo rock as you swivel hips and knees to avoid the front seat and the body of the car.
Once settled in, it’s reasonably comfortable. If you’re young and have been keeping up with your yoga and pilates classes, it will be fun riding in the back, especially with the top down.
How Does It Drive?
This 430i Convertible M Sport Pro is loaded with a twin-turbocharged, two-litre petrol engine. It goes from 0-100 kmh in 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 kmh. The torque of 400Nm kicks in from 1,550 rpm, so you’re up and running pretty quickly.
The rear-wheel push is fairly sharp, and given that it doesn’t have the upper body rigidity of a sedan, it’s still sweet around corners and unflappable in sharp manoeuvres. The body is stiffened with bracing and aluminium panels at the front, bottom and side skirts.
Its low centre of gravity helps to keep it close to the ground, which makes it, especially composed around sweeping corners.
The car feels heavier than other BMW models, which means it needs a bit more decisive driving. Tentative footwork will result in lurching. Put your foot down, hard if you’d like, and enjoy the ride.
On slick surfaces, the 430i Convertible is a bit skittish, and manhole covers must be one of its pet peeves.
The various driving options bring about different behaviour patterns in the car. Adaptive mode seems to be good for general driving, especially if you’re driving along various types of roads.
The fuel-saving auto start/stop feature is surprisingly gentle on the car. You hardly feel it doing its thing.
The 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission does a good job of smoothly going through the gears, with paddle shifters dropping through the gears quickly. And the Sprint function gives you a boost when overtaking.
With the top up, the external sound is all but shut out. Excellent sound dampening means the engine sounds are also shut out.
Driving Aids
Many driver assistance systems have been included to make for a more connected and comfortable drive. Most features are almost a must in luxury cars, including park distance control, lane departure warning speed limit information.
The 3D visualisation of the surrounding area lends more clarity when checking for any obstacles that will also be picked up by the car’s sensors.
The head-up display is 70% larger than previous models and offers relevant information and navigation directions. With all the modern connectivity options, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you want very little.
For those still undecided on whether a soft-top is the way to go, the 4 series convertibles may just convert you.
SPECS
Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line 16 valves, twin-turbocharged
Displacement: 1,998cc
Transmission: 8-speed automatic Steptronic Sport
Max output: 189kW
Max torque: 400Nm
0-100kmh: 6.2 seconds
Top speed: 250kmh
Fuel consumption: 6.4 L/100 km
CO2: 150g/km
Length: 4,768 mm
Width: 1,852 mm
Height: 1,384 mm
VES banding: B
*Confirm price with Performance Motors Ltd (https://www.bmw.com.sg)