2018 BMW 4 Series Convertible

To compete with the other, newly launched competitors, BMW has made some minor changes in both the exterior and interior of the car. Talking about the exterior, 4 Series received restyled front and rear ends, unique wheel designs and two new exterior colors - Snapper Rocks Blue and Sunset Orange. In interior changes, the navigation system has been updated with a new interface and some minor changes have been provided to the steering wheel and interior trim material.

BMW 4-Series Cabriolet trims and feature

Trim	430i	430i xDrive	440i	440i xDrive
MSRP	$51,650	$53,650	$58,700	$60,700
Key Features	430i include	All Features of 430i Plus:	440i adds keyless entry and ignition and a premium 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with satellite radio	All Features of 440i Plus:
	18-inch wheels	All Wheel Drive System	These features are options on the 430i. Convertible models have a power-operated retractable hardtop with a removable wind deflector	All Wheel Drive System
	Automatic LED headlights and fog lights
	Sunroof, power-folding and heated mirrors
	Auto-dimming mirrors
	Automatic wipers
	Selectable drive modes
	Cruise control
	Rearview camera
	Smartphone app control over some car functions
	Dual-zone automatic climate control
	Simulated leather upholstery
	10-way power-adjustable front sport seats
	40/20/40-split folding rear seats
	Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
	Universal garage door opener
	BMW's iDrive infotainment system
	6.5-inch display, a rearview camera
	Bluetooth phone and streaming audio

 

BMW 4 Series is available in 4 trim levels, named as : 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i and 440i xDrive. The best part is that the engines of all the trim levels provide remarkable performance. Upgrading to 430i xDrive, it has all the features of 430i plus All Wheel Drive System. The 440i trim level has many added features like keyless entry and ignition and a premium 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with satellite radio. And finally, the 440i xDrive level have all the features of 440i and an additional All Wheel Drive System.

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Though 440i has got some "I may fall in love with" features but it will also dig a hole in your pocket with the price of $58,700. So opting for the 430i is a sensible choice as it has got all the features one can expect and also as it's price is low, so, you can add on some packages to customize your car accordingly.

"Most parents won’t admit they have a favorite child, but if the two turbocharged engines were our kids, the quick and efficient six-cylinder would be our choice."-CarandDriver

Engine and Transmission

The BMW 4-Series Cabriolet has an Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/122 engine which provides a power of 248 hp and a 258 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine provides a smooth and great performance.

Models	BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet	Audi A5 Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet
MSRP	$53,650	$49,600	$53,200
Engine	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/122	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/121	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/121
Transmission	8-speed Automatic	7-speed Automatic	9-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	248hp	252hp	241hp
Torque	258 lb.-ft.	273 lb.-ft.	273 lb.-ft.

The engine and price combination is best in Audi A5 Cabriolet as it's price is lower than others with the same engine as others. 4 Series is the costliest amongst all and with the same engine and almost similar power, only it's smooth performance can account up to the higher cost.

Acceleration

BMW 4 Series has a quite impressive engine. It provides a great performance and a remarkable acceleration as it takes only 6.1 sec to gain a speed of 60 mph from 0.

Models	BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet	Audi A5 Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet
0-60 MPH	6.1 sec	6.0 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter mile	14.2 sec	13.8 sec	14.6 sec
Engine	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Emission   (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.6	6.5	7.1

As all of them has got similar engines, so, the acceleration is also comparable. Just a little difference in time can be seen when switching between the competitors. But if we upgrade to 440i trim level, it provides insane power and a better and smooth acceleration with a quick gear change.

Handling and Steering

4 Series Cabriolet can satisfy passionate drivers on curvy ways. Further adding the sport and adaptive suspension options only increase this satisfaction.

With little changes provided to steering in 2018 variants, the steering effort is light and smooth. It does not take much of the driver's efforts, on straight highways, to stay in lane and drive smoothly.

Braking

4 Series Cabriolet has a very spontaneous braking system, regardless of where and how you are driving it. It takes 123 ft to stop from a speed of 60 mph and that is quite high as compared with other competitors.

Model	BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet	Audi A5 Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet
Brake Front (in.)	13.0	13.3	13
Brake Rear (in.)	11.8	13.0	11.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4,160	3,990	3,957
60-0 MPH (ft.)	123	117	109

Braking system is one of the reasons why 4 Series Cabriolet could not hit the top of the charts. Despite having the same engine, Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet provides a better experience with brakes, as it takes only 109 ft to stop from a speed of 60 mph, which is best of all competitors.

Fuel Economy

Not only the price of a car can dig a hole in your pocket, but a less fuel efficient car also have an ability to do that. So, looking at the Fuel efficiency of BMW 4 Series Cabriolet, we can tell that it is good as it gives a mileage of 22 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in combined, which is quite great.

Model	BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet	Audi A5 Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet
MPG (city)	22	24	22
MPG (highway)	32	34	29
MPG (combined)	27	29	25

 

In comparison with other competitors, the fuel efficiency of BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet is neither too high or nor too low. If we upgrade to BMW 440i xDrive, the mileage even drops by 2 to 3 mpg for both city and highway.

"The BMW 4 Series remains a pleasant middle ground to the more traditional Mercedes and starkly modern Audi interiors."-Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The BMW 4-Series Cabriolet can accommodate upto 4 passengers. The seats are made nice and well with adequate padding to give you support even for a hours long ride.

Model	BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet	Audi A5 Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet
Passenger capacity	4	4	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.4/55.3/42.2	40/55.3/41.3	38.8/54.8/42
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.1/49.8/33.1	36.3/46.9/33.3	35.6/51.7/32

Nothing much spectacular about space. There is ample space and comfort provided, so that you won't avoid long rides due to discomfort.

Interior Features

Interior features are as important, in a car, as anything else. Having a powerful engine and ample space is not enough to look for while buying a new car. There are lots of eye catching interior features in The BMW 4 Series Cabriolet. Some of them are listed below:

• Sport Seats
• Full Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
• Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
• Power Rear Windows
• Sport Leather Steering Wheel
• Front and Rear Cup Holders
• Proximity Key For Push Button Start Only
• Cruise Control with Steering Wheel Controls
• Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
• Day-Night Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror

Infotainment

BMW updated the already strong iDrive infotainment system, but it is still not somewhat on that level which will help the 4 series to come on the top of the chart. It still lags from other competitors in this field.

Standard infotainment system have :

• Radio: Anti-Theft AM/FM/HD Stereo CD/MP3 Player
• 205w Regular Amplifier
• Window Grid Diversity Antenna
• Satellite Radio Preparation
• Hands-Free Bluetooth and USB Audio Connection
• 1 LCD Monitor In The Front

Cargo

BMW 4 Series Cabriolet did not do well with the cargo space or trunk volume. It still lags in this field by some of it's competitors.

Model	BMW 430i xDrive	Audi A5 Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 4Matic
Trunk Volume (ft.3)	7.8	7.2	8.8

With the comparison above, we can see than the trunk volume for Audi A5 Cabriolet is lesser than that of BMW 430i xDrive, but for Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 4Matic it is incredibly higher. So anyone looking to fit in their whole house in the trunk, should definitely go for Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 4Matic.

"The BMW 4 Series has been updated for 2018, but the revisions are minor: a restyled nose, larger central air intake, and elongated design of the rear light clusters."-kbb.com

Dimensions and Weight

Model	BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet	Audi A5 Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet
Curb weight (lbs.)	4,160	3,990	3,957
Length(in)	182.6	184	184.5
Width(in)	71.9	72.7	71.3
Height(in)	54.5	54.4	55.3
Ground clearance (in)	5.1	4.7	5.1
Wheelbase (in)	110.6	108.9	111.8
Track width (in) F/R	60.8/62.8	62.5/61.7	61.5/60.9

The exterior dimension of BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet are comparable to the other competitors, but it is somewhat heavier than them by 150-200 lbs. Talking about exterior looks, both convertible and coupe are available with the M Sport package that adds a full-body aerodynamic kit, dark trim, and restyled bumpers and side skirts for an even sportier appearance.

Exterior Features

• Clear coat Paint
• Body-Colored Front and Rear Bumper
• Metal-Look Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
• Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers with Heated Jets
• Light Tinted Glass
• Fixed Rear Window with Defroster
• Fully Galvanized Steel Panels
• Power Convertible Retractable Hard Top with Lining

Safety Ratings and Reliability

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the nonprofit, Independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests all the cars against all the crash tests and give ratings accordingly, out of 5 stars. But BMW 4 Series is yet to be tested by them and get it's safety ratings.

But still we can tell you some standard safety features that comes in 4 Series Cabriolet :

• Driver adaptive and front-passenger dual-stage airbags
• Driver and front-passenger head/thorax side airbags
• Driver and front-passenger knee airbags
• Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
• Vehicle immobilizer
• Tire-pressure monitoring system
• Safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) in rear seats
• Electromechanical parking brake
• Active rollover protection system
• Integrated child door locks in rear doors

Audi A5 Cabriolet vs BMW 4-Series Cabriolet

Starting from the price, Audi A5 Cabriolet is comparatively cheaper than BMW 4 Series Cabriolet by a good amount of $4,050. Even in the cheaper price, you will get the same engine as that of BMW 4 Series Cabriolet, with a 7-speed automatic transmission that provides a power of 252 hp that is a little higher than that of 4 Series Cabriolet.

Audi A5 Cabriolet has got a comparable acceleration, but a better mileage and a way better braking system as it takes only 117 ft to stop from a speed of 60 mph and which is way better than that of 4 Series Cabriolet. There is no much difference in volume of car, But still Audi A5 lags behind in space as it provides only a 7.2 ft of trunk volume.

Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet vs BMW 4-Series Cabriolet

Having only a small difference of $450, 4-Series Cabriolet still remains costlier option. Both Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet and BMW 4 Series Cabriolet provides a similar engine. Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Cabriolet comes with a better 9-speed automatic transmission that along with Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/121 engine, provides a power of 241 hp, which is lower than that of 4 Series Cabriolet's power.

C300 4Matic lags a little in acceleration and also have higher emission rate. With very strong and way better brakes than any other competitor, you can stop the car in just 109 ft from a speed of 60 mph. Providing the lowest amongst all mileage C300 lags a bit again. But for someone looking to pack a lot of stuff in trunk of their car can give a thought to this, as it provides a insanely high trunk volume of 8.8 ft, which is way higher than any of the other competitors.

Though BMW 4 Series was one of the best convertibles when it was launched and even a few years after that. But with time, when the ^{Audi A5 and S5 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe's redesigned versions were launched, the magic of 4 Series Cabriolet started to fade away. And even after that, we did not see BMW making much efforts to match the levels of it's 4 Series's new rivals. BMW did some efforts and made some good changes in 2017 and 2018 models, yet they were not enough to get to the top of the list again.}

^{So, according to the current features and specifications, other rivals like Audi and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are offering it is not much of a sensible decision to go for BMW 4 Series. Also the folding hard-top roof of 4 Series makes it a clear decision for anyone who is still confused, because just in case someone wants a security of a folding hard-top can opt for 4 Series, otherwise after the more classy interior look and more comfortable rides both Audi and Mercedes-Benz C-Class provides, it's easy to make a decision.}