BMW 4 Series Convertible pricing and specs

BMW Australia has announced pricing and specs for its first mid-size cabriolet in almost 20 years, with the 2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible arriving in the first quarter priced from $89,900 plus on-road costs.

The three-variant soft-top line-up mirrors the new BMW 4 Series Coupe that is now entering showrooms, and each attracts a $19,000 increment over the equivalent hard-roofed model.

That sees the rear-wheel drive BMW 420i Convertible open proceedings at $89,900 plus ORCs, followed by the 430i Convertible at $107,900 plus ORCs and the all-wheel drive M440i xDrive Convertible topping the launch range at $135,900 plus ORCs.

Powertrains replicate those available in the coupe, with the 420i using a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (135kW/300Nm), the 430i using the same four-pot engine with a higher tune (190kW/400Nm), and the top-spec M440i featuring a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder (285kW/500Nm).

All are paired with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and have steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

As carsales has reported, the 4 Series line-up will soon fill out further with the 2021 BMW M4 also arriving early next year, followed later in 2021 by the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe four-door fastback and, further afield, the M4 Convertible and M4 Gran Coupe.

Besides the obvious difference to its hard-top sibling – a soft-top roof that BMW says is 40 per cent lighter than the outgoing model’s hard-top roof – the cabrio comes with several other unique features including neck warmers in the front head restraints and a wind deflector that directs air through the cabin.

Available in black or optional Anthracite Silver, the roof is able to open or close in 18 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h. Luggage capacity is rated at 385 litres with the roof in place, or 300 litres with the top down.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible is also longer and wider than its predecessor, measuring up at 4768mm in length (+128mm) and 1852mm in width (+27mm). Wheelbase has increased by 41mm, now measuring 2851mm.

Up front, the 4 Series’ divisive ‘big mouth’ kidney grille sits loud and proud, along with slimline LED headlights and tail-lights, the latter described by BMW as “stylishly darkened”.

The car-maker has also detailed convertible-specific gear for drop-top models, including specialised bracing, an aluminium shear panel at the bottom of the front-end, and side skirts with “extremely high torsional rigidity”.

Standard features across the range include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, park assist, speed sign recognition, remote start and BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional which uses a SIM card to offer real-time traffic information, hazard warnings, over-the-air software updates and more.

The head-up display uses a projection area that’s now 70 per cent larger, while a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment unit comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

An M Sport Package is standard on every variant, bringing large front air-intakes and a sculpted rear apron among other things, while entry-level 420i-specific gear includes 19-inch M Light alloy wheels, M Sport suspension, leather Sport seats with heating up front, tri-zone climate control, LED fog lights, high beam assist, wireless phone charging and digital radio.

The mid-spec 430i Convertible adds adaptive M dampers, larger M Sport brakes and Comfort Access.

Gear reserved for the range-topping M440i includes double-spoke bi-colour 19-inch light alloy wheels, ambient lighting, performance tyres, lumbar support, a Harman Kardon sound system and BMW Laserlight technology.

The M440i Convertible is also equipped with an M Sport differential with an electronically-controlled, fully-variable locking function in the rear diff.

Several option packs are also available. These include the Visibility Package ($4300) for 420i/430i, that adds ambient interior lighting and BMW Laserlight; Comfort Package ($2600) for 420i that includes steering wheel heating, seat lumbar support, Air Collar and Comfort Access; and Driver’s Assistant Package ($3770) solely for 420i that bundles in tyre pressure monitoring, Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus.

There are eight exterior colours to choose from – Alpine White (no-cost), metallic options with Black Sapphire, Mineral White, Portimao Blue, San Remo Green and Arctic Race Blue ($2000) and two BMW Individual metallic colours Dravit Grey and Tanzanite Blue ($3850).

Inside, the standard Vernasca leather upholstery can be specified in eight different colour combinations, while the standard aluminium Tetragon interior trim can be switched (for an extra $400) with aluminium ‘mesh effect’, fine-wood trim oak grain open-pored, fine-wood trim maple open-pored or fine-wood trim ash grey-brown high-gloss.

BMW Individual interior trim options include piano black, aluminium fabric high-gloss and fine-wood trim ‘Fineline’ black with silver effect open-pored. These are priced at $1100 each.

How much does the 2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible cost?
420i – $89,900
430i – $107,900
M440i xDrive – $135,900
*Prices exclude on-road costs