SA Road Tests

Welcome

It struck me one day that people who love cabriolets, convertibles, roadsters, drop-tops, sports cars - call them what you will - are probably less concerned with who made them than with how they make their drivers feel. It's rather like motorcycles; there is an indescribable unity with Nature, a one-ness with the road and a bonding with the elements - the sun on your skin, the breeze through your hair and the living sounds of the open road.

That's why I decided to copy and paste all my cabriolet reports into a single folder where drop-top fans can find them all without having to scrabble through endless menus.

I have to warn you that it took a while to warm to the cabriolet phenomenon - convertibles are mostly loved, hankered after and driven by women, so we guys find them hard to appreciate. For that reason, you may find some of the writing a little tongue-in-cheek, sceptical or even downright chauvinist. What can I say? I'm male and I can't help it. Just bear with me though, because I believe that the stories still contain valid information that will hopefully help you make an informed buying decision.


*To read one of our archived road tests, just go to the list of manufacturers' names on the left side of this page. Hover your cursor over the name, then follow the drop-down menu that appears.

*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the reports, so even if you're looking to buy second-hand, you have an idea of what it cost originally.


We arrive calm and unruffled in the 2014 BMW 435i M Sport convertible

The ultimate lust-object

Posted: 8 August 2014

We described the BMW 428i Coupé as a lust-object magnet because it’s engineered and styled to entrance whomever you set sights on. The 435i Convertible goes beyond that, being a lust object in its own right. We mean, seriously, look at it. This thing, top down, is so-oo sexy that everyone; boys, girls, men, women, young and less-so, falls over their tongues staring. It’s almost embarrassing to be out in public with it.

But seriously, it’s less OTT than the 3-series convertibles it replaces; less of an acquired taste and easier on the eyes. It’s somewhat smoother and more angular; still a typical BMW convertible with long nose and short tail - more mainstream in appearance yet far from bland. Put simply, it’s a coupé that can tuck its roof away and the only visual clues a lay-person might pick up are the additional cut lines and a pair of hinges on top. The truly eagle-eyed might notice that it also stands 10 millimetres taller than an equivalent coupé.

There are other, unseen, differences. The motors, reinforcing materials and mechanical hardware add 230 kg to its already solid structural mass and that affects performance slightly. For example, the zero to 100 km/h dash takes four-tenths of a second longer, while the standing kilometre requires an extra seven-tenths. If you must be pedantic the power-to-mass ratio slips from 6,8 kg/kW to 7,8. But the choice is yours; just another Beemer, in the eyes of the hoi-polloi, or a nookie-nabber of note? No contest, is there?

Because this is a convertible, we treated it as such and spent just over half our test mileage driving with the top down. As a result, the real life fuel consumption figure in the box at the end may scare those who lust after power yet still expect 1200cc-granny-car gas mileage. We averaged 11,4 litres per hundred during our particular trial regime but you should be able to do better; even though this is a turbocharged 3.0-litre with almost two tons to push around, let us please not forget?

An air deflector, for use when the top is down and no-one is using the back seat, is part of the standard equipment and is stored in a compartment behind the rear seat cushion. It clips into place quite easily and takes just a few moments to fit. Most cars in topless mode are physically unpleasant at speeds above about 100 km/h, but this is one of the exceptions. At 120 km/h and (a-hem) slightly beyond, turbulence is minimal although wind noise means you will have to increase playback volume on the music machine somewhat. The editorial tonsorials were hardly ruffled during an extended high speed run although bright, sunny skies finally dictated that he should give up and wear a cap.

Power is supplied by a 2979 cc straight six with twin scroll single turbocharger, Valvetronic variable lift and Double Vanos variable valve timing.  The only gearbox available with this engine is the eight-speed Sport automatic with paddles and Driving Dynamics Control. It works very well and is an excellent choice. Selectable driving experience control, electronic differential locking and electrically assisted power steering with servotronic speed-sensitive adjustment are all part of the package.

Apart from the basic car, four Line packs are there for choosing: Sport, Modern, Luxury or M-Sport. Our test car was given the last-named option that added a special steering wheel; exclusive door trim; “M” side badges and sill plates; bespoke ambient lighting; speedometer and rev counter with red chrono scales; an “M” aerodynamics package with larger air inlets in the front apron, an added crease on the side skirts and a rear apron with dark shadow metallic diffuser insert; a few more appearance items and M-Sport suspension that’s lowered by 10 mm and given stiffer springs and dampers. It’s more about reflected glory than a full-on “M” product, then.

We could describe more kit, add-ons and options, but the possibilities are almost endless and we would just confuse the issue. As for overall driving impressions, all we can say is that it’s a BMW and therefore powerful, civilised and predictably refined. Our impressions of the 428i coupé sum it up pretty well, so if you like, just follow the link.

If we absolutely have to be boringly practical for a moment, the back seat is for children only and its boot can hold a trolley-full of groceries with the roof up, or a couple of soft bags for a weekend away when the top is packed inside. Golf bag? We don’t think so.

Finally, if you want to brag about split seconds in acceleration, boast-worthy fuel economy or plebeian practicality, get a coupé. If you want true sex appeal, buy the ultimate lust object.

Test car from BMW SA press fleet

The numbers
Price with M-Sport package, eight-speed sports automatic and CO2 tax: R832  045-60
Price loaded: R884 400
Engine: 2979 cc, 24-valve straight six, turbocharged
Power: 225 kW at 5800-6000 rpm
Torque: 400 Nm between 1200 and 5000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 5,5 seconds
Maximum speed: 250 km/h (governed)
Real life fuel economy: 11,4 l/100 km
Tank: 60 litres
Boot: 220-370 litres
Warranty and maintenance: 5 years/100 000 km with BMW On Call



What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. As quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so they can see I do actually exist.

Comments?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you thoroughly disagree with what I say? That's your privilege, because if everybody agreed on everything, the world would be a boring place. All I ask is that you remain calm, so please blow off a little steam before venting too vigorously.