2014 BMW M4 Convertible POV Test Drive

Review

BMW M4 Convertible

BMW is now ready for the fifth generation of the M3 and since a convertible has always been released in addition to the two-door coupe, it is no surprise that an M4 Cabrio is now also being released in addition to the M4 Coupé and the M3 Sedan.

Firepower in every situation

Just like its 2 brothers, the M4 Cabrio is powered by the M TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder in-line engine with a power of no less than 431 hp and a maximum torque of 550 Nm. That torque is available from 1,850 rpm. available and continues up to 5,500 rpm, giving the M4 sufficient firepower in any situation. You certainly won’t hear us complaining, because you barely have to touch the accelerator pedal before the M4 shoots like an arrow from a bow. He is by no means discreet, because he can roar. With the optional 7-speed M gearbox, the roofless M4 sprints from 0 to 100 km in 4.4 seconds. This is only a few tenths slower than the Coupé/Serline. The top speed is, as expected, limited to 250 km/h.

Manual or automatic

Purists may prefer the manual gearbox. However, our test car was equipped with the optional 7-speed M gearbox (€3,280). This is a dual-clutch gearbox, where two sub-gearboxes, each with their own clutch, direct the engine power to the rear wheels without interruption. You can drive fully automatically or change gear yourself using shift paddles behind the steering wheel. Compared to the manual gearbox, the automatic is 0.2 seconds faster in the sprint from 0 to 100 km.

Head-Up Display

An option that is more than worth considering is the Head-Up Display with M specific display. This, among other things, projects the speed and permitted speed onto the windshield in the driver’s field of vision. If you switch to the M-specific display, the gear, speed and the optimal shift point are also shown. At €826 this isn’t even that expensive compared to other options. M Carbon ceramic brakes to name but a few. An option for only €6,136, but with these brakes the braking power is even more immediate. And they look really cool too.

Hardtop

The hardtop consists of three parts and can be opened in less than 20 seconds. You can even fold it while you are driving at a speed of up to 18 km/h. The roof is fully covered. This makes the convertible also perfectly usable in winter and the sound insulation has been improved compared to the previous model. Compared to the M4 Coupé, the convertible with closed roof is slightly less attractive than its brother.

Sports seats
Electrically adjustable leather sports seats are fitted as standard for the driver and front passenger. These seats are very comfortable and ergonomic and ensure that the body is always supported, even during a dynamic driving style. For the cold among us there is the optional neck heating (€338). This provides the head and shoulders with warm air, so that it is pleasant to drive with the roof open, even in less warm temperatures. Something that could come in handy in our country.

Conclusion
The M4 Convertible is more than a fun and high-performance sports car. It is a versatile car with which you can just as easily cruise through country roads, race on the circuit, or drive to the office. The torque that is endlessly available makes every ride a real pleasure and the roaring inline 6 gave us but not enough either. Of course the suitcase is not particularly large and you can sometimes lose track of the abundance of buttons and adjustment options in the cockpit, but all in all this is a more than successful and worthy fifth generation of the M4 Cabrio.

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