Automotive
Convertible vehicles have a special place in the hearts of many, but lately, there haven’t been that many luxury convertibles with price figures well below six figures. BMW has been one to remain consistent with their offerings for convertible vehicles and ones that fit the mold of an entry-level luxury vehicle, such as the latest BMW 430i Convertible that I attempted to enjoy this week. I say attempted because my time with the German drop-top was during some of the coldest days we’ve had in a very long time here in Florida, but the agreeable disposition of such a vehicle made things tolerable.
Powering the new BMW 430i Convertible is a decent 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with a mild hybrid system sending power to the rear wheels through a snappy but smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. The power delivery of the 430i Convertible at 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque feels substantial for a small engine where there’s a decent linear power band that’s void of noticeable turbo lag. The direct feeling of the 8-speed automatic transmission adds to the appeal of the drivetrain in a sporty nature, as does the M sport suspension equipped on my vehicle as part of an optional M Sport Package with its fixed suspension dampers. The ride quality is good, and with the top up, the 430i Convertible feels similar to its coupe counterpart without much added body flex, and the vehicle hides its extra weight over the 430i coupe.
The larger 19-inch wheels wrapping the M dual-spoke alloy wheels, which are also part of the optional M Sport Package, add to the 430i Convertible’s handling abilities. For the most part, the driving quality is smooth, as the suspension leaves room for keeping things on the side of comfort with the supposedly firmer suspension setup. The driving feel is good, even with the electric steering rack lacking feedback from the road.
In all, the BMW 430i Convertible repeats the loving quality of a BMW without compromising the coupe-like qualities and comfort of a luxury sports coupe. Having the smaller engine, which is still a decent performer to get the 430i Convertible up to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, is an attractive offering considering its price point starting at $58,700.
When you not making a dash for 60 mph, you can enjoy the decent fuel economy matching the EPA figures of 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined in the real world as I noticed. Though, you’ll have to fill up the 15.6-gallon tank with premium fuel affording you a cruising range of about 546 miles on the highway.
The interior of the BMW 430i Convertible also doesn’t compromise on exuding a proper luxury theme with soft-touch surfaces abound along with the typical feel you get in a modern BMW. The new dashboard, a commonality among most new BMW vehicles, is its use of the latest iDrive 8.5 setup utilizing a slightly curved screen housing that somewhat floats on the dashboard. The housing fits a 12.3-inch driver’s gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The latest system, while very colorful and interactive, does take some time to get used to and can be initially overwhelming for some. However, after spending a week with the setup, you can eventually become acclimated to its intricacies and deep menus through a plethora of function icons and settings. The integration of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remains simplistic as CarPlay was used without fault during my time with the vehicle, but the wireless charging pad became seemingly hot multiple times, shutting down my iPhone’s ability to charge fully.
The power folding soft-top performs its operation smoothly and quickly taking just 18 seconds to fold down and allowing me to do so at speeds up to 31 mph. Moreover, the soft top remains nicely insulated to isolate road noise and almost feel like you’re in the hardtop coupe with the top up.
The perforated leather seats with heating proved to be comfy and somewhat supportive but they could have used an option for some additional heating because dropping the top in sunny 40 degree (fahrenheit) weather can be a little taxing on your body even with the normal heat activated.
While the front seats provide a large range of travel and substantial power adjustments, the back seats remain on the small side, with legroom at the mercy of the front seat adjustment and nearly absent, with the front seats adjusted far back. Surprisingly, the two back seats accommodate some adults when the fronts are adjusted forward, but be mindful of the top folding down on a taller individual’s head. One interesting thing about the convertible 4 series is that there’s slightly more headroom with the top up versus the hardtop 4 series coupe.
BMW continues to be a benchmark for a luxury convertible that doesn’t necessarily break the bank. While the new 430i Convertible in its base rear-wheel-drive configuration starts at $58,700, several option packages as found on my test vehicle will bring the price up quickly to the as-tested price of $68,520, including a $995 destination charge.
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