Summary
The BMW 4 Series Convertible is the drop-top version of the 4 Series Coupé. This is the first-generation model, which first arrived in the UK in early 2014 to replace previous models badged 3 Series Convertible, and ended production when the latest iteration of the 4 Series launched in 2020.
Reviewers agreed that the 4 Series Convertible was a capable top-down cruiser that could provide a quiet and relaxing driving experience, as well as high-speed wind-in-the-hair thrills on request.
“It’s a quick and comfortable luxury car for rolling up a sun-drenched coast”, Auto Trader concluded, after praising the drop-top for its metal folding roof, which takes around 20 seconds to raise or lower. Incidentally, the latest 4 Series has ditched the folding hard top in favour of a traditional soft top.
However, the addition of this roof mechanism adds weight to the car, which in turn affects the convertible’s performance and driving dynamics. “It feels heavier than the coupé”, Parkers says, also commenting that the roof reduces the boot space. Carwow argues that, due to this added weight, the convertible is slower than its coupé counterpart, as well as being more expensive.
The 4 Series was well-equipped as standard and compared very favourably against its major rival, the original Audi A5 Cabriolet. However, later in its life, the 4 Series Convertible had to face against much tougher competition in the form of the second-generation A5 and also the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet.
As of April 2024, the first-generation BMW 4 Series Convertible holds a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 61%.
- BMW 4 Series Convertible (2021 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More BMW Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
4 Series Convertible highlights
- Comfortable and well-built interior
- Well-equipped
- Nicely-insulated metal roof
- Punchy performance
4 Series Convertible lowlights
- On-board tech is now rather dated
- Cramped rear seats
- Roof makes it heavier than the Coupé
- Small boot
Key specifications
Body style: Convertible
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £34,030 on-road
Launched: Spring 2014
Last updated: Summer 2017
Replaced: Autumn 2020
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The facelifted BMW 4 Series Convertible has upped its game in terms of driving dynamics but it’s still a great cruiser.”
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Model reviewed: 420d
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 4 Series Convertible offers a relaxed drive and great engines.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: (2017-20)
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The 4 Series Convertible is pretty much as stylish and refined as the coupe with the roof up but just as exciting and fun when you drop it for sunny days.”
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“The BMW 4 Series Convertible is a cruiser, a quick and comfortable luxury car for rolling up a sun-drenched coast.”
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Autocar
Score: 7 / 10
“Easygoing, comfortable BMW 420d convertible offers plenty, but its squidgy nature won’t excite spirited drivers.”
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Business Car
“The BMW 4 Series Convertible’a cabin offers excellent build quality, and the responsive steering and agile handling are there too, although they’re blunted by the extra weight of the folding hard top, which makes its presence apparent on faster roads.”
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Car
Score: 6 / 10
“When you’re cruising in BMW 4 Series Convertible, there’s excellent refinement with the roof up.”
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Model reviewed: 435i Convertible (2014)
Score: 6 / 10
“This is a quick convertible, but it’s not a serious performance car.”
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Car Keys
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 3 Series Convertible replacement is a step up from its predecessor, offering a comfortable, stylish and accomplished cruiser that suits everyday use as well as longer leisure jaunts.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 6.6 / 10
“The BMW 4 Series Convertible is nearly as practical as the coupe on which it’s based, yet provides the bonus of wind-in-the-hair thrills.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: (2017-20)
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW 4 Series Convertible is a well-equipped alternative to the Audi A5 Cabriolet and Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet, even though its cramped rear seats and compromised storage space with the roof down can limit its practicality.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: 435i M
“With the hard-top roof up, the 4 Series Convertible looks like a normal sports coupe but within seconds that folding top packs away neatly into the boot and it’s converted into an open-top that oozes class, finesse, elegance and style.”
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Model reviewed: 420d SE
“Design-wise the 4-Series Convertible is spot on. The convertible doesn’t look all that different to the hard-topped coupe with the roof up and it also looks great with the roof down.”
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Evo
Score: 7 / 10
“Drop-top version of 4-series gains another dimension – at a dynamic price.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“There is a lot to like about the BMW 4 Series Convertible. Handsome looks, the benefits of a folding metal roof, agile dynamics and a premium badge all make it an attractive package.”
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Honest John
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 4 Series Convertible is something of an anomaly with its folding metal roof. Yet this adds a lot to the overall package, as do the premium badge and impressive dynamics.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 4 Series Converibel is a front runner of the endangered folding hardtop species.”
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The Sunday Times
Score: 6 / 10
“Take the roof down and the BMW 4 Series Convertible is half the car it should be.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: 2017
Score: 8 / 10
“Four-seat cabrios don’t get much better than the BMW 4 Series Convertible.”
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What Car?
“The BMW 4 Series Convertible is refined enough with the roof up to be an everyday tool, yet stylish and accomplished enough with it down to be a relaxed, sophisticated cruiser.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The first-generation BMW 4 Series Convertible was not crash tested by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The first-generation BMW 4 Series Convertible was not lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 282
Average repair cost: £823.57
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The BMW 4 Series has a reliability score that’s about average, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers coupé models as well as convertibles – from this generation (pre-2020) version as well as the current (2021 onwards) version.
A quarter of all reported problems with the 4 Series relate to its engine, with an average bill to date of an eye-watering £2,000. Gearbox problems are similarly expensive, although they seem to be quite rare to date. Suspension and braking problems are also common, although the repair bills are much more reasonable.
If you’re looking at a used BMW 4 Series, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas shown above.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW 4 Series Convertible has received
2019
- Honest John Awards – Best Convertible
2014
- Red Dot Awards – Red Dot Design Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW 4 Series Convertible, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi A5 Cabriolet | Ford Mustang convertible | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet | Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
- BMW 4 Series Convertible (2021 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More BMW Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the BMW 4 Series at The Car Expert
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