2024 BMW 4 Series Convertible

　　

2024 BMW 4 Series Convertible Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The 4 Series is made for those who prefer a sporty two-door coupe or the drop-top experience of a convertible over a traditional sedan. It's based on the 3 Series but has a higher starting price. The separately reviewed Gran Coupe model has four doors like the 3 Series and is about the same size but differentiates itself with a different front end and a sportier design. For 2024, BMW updated the 4 Series' interior with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a larger 14.9-inch center touchscreen housed behind a single curved display. The high-performance M4 is reviewed separately.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 BMW 4 Series 430i 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$163/mo  for 4 Series 430i

　　4 Series 430i

　　430i 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $49,900 MSRP430i 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $58,100 MSRP430i xDrive 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $51,900 MSRP430i xDrive 2dr Convertible AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $60,100 MSRPM440i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $61,450 MSRPM440i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $69,550 MSRPM440i xDrive 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $63,450 MSRPM440i xDrive 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $71,550 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: M440i's power and efficiency

Under the hood of the M440i is a potent turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produces 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. That's more than enough power when puttering around town and plenty of grunt for the open road. The M440i convertible blasted from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds when we tested it. But its mild hybrid engine is also efficient. The rear-drive coupe model gets an impressive 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving, and the heavier convertible is rated at 26 mpg. For comparison, the significantly less powerful 255-hp 430i gets 28 mpg combined.

　　

Competitors to consider

The 4 Series has few rivals because there aren't many luxury automakers that offer three body styles under one nameplate. The Audi A5 is a direct rival that does and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLE will offer a coupe and convertible. If you don't mind going the non-luxury route, the V8-powered Ford Mustang GT is another alternative that's available as a coupe and convertible. For a thorough review of the 4 Series, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Please note that this rating is based on a prior year and may change slightly once we test the 4 Series' updated infotainment system for 2024.

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the 4 Series drive? We tested a rear-wheel-drive M440i convertible. It packs a lot of punch, and in our testing it ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds — a full second quicker than a similarly equipped 430i coupe we also tested. Acceleration is punchy at highway speeds, too. It stopped from 60 mph in 109 feet, which is a few feet longer than that 430i, though the coupe weighed roughly 500 pounds less.

　　Unfortunately, the brakes are grabby at low speeds and require a delicate foot to slow smoothly. The automatic engine stop-start system is also clunkier in the M440i than in the 430i, and it doesn't have a dedicated disable button.

　　The steering is a little vague during truly spirited driving. It's a mild disappointment in a BMW, though the reality is that rivals aren't appreciably better in this regard. Handling is a 4 Series strength, with stable composure around tight bends and a seemingly high limit for traction control intervention. The eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly and always seems to be in the right gear, making this an easy car to live with.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the 4 Series? BMW makes some of the best front seats in the business. They are comfortable and feature multiple adjustments — including side bolster angle and thigh extension — that allow you to find an ideal sitting position.

　　The M440i's standard adaptive suspension provides a surprisingly supple ride. Wind and tire noise is kept to a minimum too. The only real misstep is the climate system. We appreciate a tri-zone system in such a small convertible, but the automatic function bizarrely does not adjust fan speed. The sync function is also buried in a touchscreen menu.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below