MotorTrend

2014 BMW 435i Convertible First Test

Drop-Top 4 Series Picks up Where Roofless 3 Series Left off
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As an owner of an older 3 Series coupe, the 4 Series name is never going to sit right with me. But fans of the previous E93-generation 3 Series convertible not married to the name will find everything they liked about the old car still intact in the 2014 BMW 4 Series convertible. And if they're comfortable forking over more than $50,000 for what's essentially a drop-top 3, the new one will impress.

Like the 3 Series convertible before it, the 4 Series convertible is available only with a power hard top. The model can be had with the turbocharged 240-hp 2.0-liter I-4, or with BMW's tried and true 300-hp, 300-lb-ft turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6, as our 2014 435i Luxury Line tester was equipped. Like its cousins in the F30 3 Series family, the 435i convertible is blessed with a stellar driving experience. Apply the throttle, and a steady rush of power allows the 435i drop-top to pass effortlessly at highway speeds. The eight-speed automatic -- the only transmission available in the convertible -- always seems to know what gear to be in, but steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters give you the option of swapping cogs yourself. BMW's standard stop-start system is still rough on restart, but not as jarring as it is on models with the turbo 2.0-liter I-4. The system defaults to off when in sport mode, which is nice.

In testing, the 2014 BMW 435i convertible just about matched the performance of its predecessor, the last-generation 335i convertible -- despite its weight handicap of almost 100 pounds. The 435i hit 60 mph from a standstill in 5.1 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds at 102 mph. Those numbers are right in line with the more powerful Audi S5, which last recorded a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds and 13.6-second quarter-mile in our tests.

The 435i convertible is also an adept handler, recording a figure-eight time of 25.9 seconds at an average 0.71 g. That's not much slower than the fixed-roof 435i, which put down a time of 25.5 seconds at an average 0.75 g. Braking also wasn't far off from the coupe, with the convertible needing just one more foot to stop from 60 mph (110 feet). Contributing to the 435i convertible's handling ability is the $1000 Dynamic Handling package, which adds an M Adaptive suspension and variable sport steering. The 435i made short work of my favorite twisty road, and even with the top down things felt solid in the turns. The turbo 3.0-liter's ample power combined with the eight-speed's well-sorted shift logic allows the 435i to explode out of corners. The car makes you feel like a pro, and that feeling is addictive.

Putting the top down is a one-touch affair, though it may not be quick enough for you to feel confident lowering the top at a stale red light. BMW estimates it takes 20 seconds to transition from a fully enclosed space to open-air goodness, though it feels like an eternity when you're anticipating the light turning green. In case you don't get it up or down in time, the mechanism can operate at speeds up to 11 mph. With the top in place, the 4 Series is attractively proportioned. When showing off how the body panels shuffle around and retreat into the trunk, you're guaranteed to get a few "Oos" and "ahs." Once the cabin is exposed to the elements, the Saddle Brown Dakota leather upholstery becomes a part of the exterior, nicely complementing the Mineral White Metallic finish. The Mercedes Airscarf-aping neck warmers that come with the $1050 Cold Weather package work well enough, and make top-down driving on cool nights much more enjoyable. Those air vents beneath the front seat headrests do a good enough job of breathing warm air down your spine, but are noisy on full blast.

Inside, the 435i convertible is a nice place to be with the top up or down. The full-color head-up display that comes with the $3150 Technology package is bright and directly in your line of vision. The characters seem larger, too, compared to the last 3 Series I drove. In true BMW fashion, the steering wheel is thick and meaty, and has a nice weight to it. The larger iDrive control knob with touchpad works very well, recognizing hand-written strokes and quickly showing the corresponding character. However, with its larger size, it's easy to bump the knob accidentally with your forearm when moving from armrest to gear selector, inadvertently changing the radio station or ending a Bluetooth-connected call. The doors were also somewhat of an issue. The door pull handle is positioned at the front of the door closest to the hinges, offering little leverage when closing it. There's also nowhere to grab in the middle of the armrest. Sure, it's a minor complaint, but when trying to keep the long, heavy coupe door from dinging the car next to you in a tight parking spot, you miss having the extra control of a simple, grab-able door panel recess.

Then there's the price. The 2014 435i convertible starts at $55,825. For previous 3 Series convertible owners used to paying that much for a topless 3, that will probably be just fine. For everyone else though, that may seem a bit steep -- even for a car with an electro-hydraulic power hard top as slick as the 4 Series has. Our 2014 435i tester came loaded to a staggering $65,775, which is just shy of what the model tops out at. With all of those added bells and whistles, the 4 Series is a very nice, luxurious, and impressive car, but it never feels special. You can assign it a larger number, but at the end of the day the 435i is still mostly a 3 Series. If you happen to like the 3 Series, and want one in convertible form, you'll be very pleased with the 435i. If you just like having the wind in your face, you can probably think of a few other options you could buy with that kind of scratch.

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