Five things we love about the BMW M850i

When you think about BMWs naming conventions – the numbers game – it’s fair to say that the higher the number, the closer to God.

Add an M-badge and it’s better still. And while math is not my strong point, I’d say that makes the BMW M850i your definitive come to Jesus moment.

My desire is not to school you on the heady levels of horsepower or 0-100km/h delights of BMWs luxury coupe, but to leave you with five less-obvious things of note that stuck with me after seven (sport plus) days in the BMW M850i Convertible -- the brilliant and the not-so.

Most well-versed convertible owners will confide that the true worth of any drop-top is in its cabin heating capability. You’re only as strong as your weakest HVAC system, they say.

I’m glad to say that the BMW M850i has your back. And your neck. And your armrest. There are few crevices where heat doesn’t expel, come to think of it. The steering wheel I hear you ask? Yes, that too.

Go Sport Plus or go home. I’ve always been a sucker for a good exhaust and will always choose a sexy crackle over frugal motoring – every single time.

The addictive pop and crack of the M850i’s exhaust note is something else. Ask my neighbours. The only time I opted for ‘normal’ mode was when my mum was in the car. Pick your battles.

In the way a female Doctor Who sparked world debate, so too does the hand-crafted glass detail application inside the BMW M850i.

Goes without saying, I’m team bling. So the cut glass gear shifter is the unsung hero of this cabin and anyone who can’t see this should walk.

Because the BMW M850i is nothing short of living your best life, people will contort themselves to ride in a second row devoid of any amenity whatsoever. Most notably, no heat.

I prescribe to the motto that if it’s not raining, the top should be down. I can confirm this approach will not win friends or influence people. Not even kids.

Heated seats in the second row would be a game-changer – particularly for those poor Melbourne-based convertible owners.

Not to be outdone by ‘Hey Mercedes’, the BMW M850i has its own voice-activated, mood-assisting in-car assistant.

Say “Hey BMW, I’m hungry” and you’ll get a list of nearby eateries. “Hey BMW, how’s the tyre pressures?” and so on.

Granted, BMW is not the first to this party, but the technology is the way forward and will mean never again will we be found pondering the gesture control commands and piano black buttons (or lack thereof) on the dreaded infotainment interface. Voice is best.

It’s worth noting that the multiple loud beeps that accompanied the lock and unlock of the BMW M850i grated on me... until I realised that it served as the perfect cue for a well-timed hair toss. Genius BMW, genius.