When BMW releases a new 4-series, you already know there's going to be a convertible version in very near future.
And the good news for the convertible-lover, is that the new 4-series convertible has a fabric roof again.
That wasn't the case with a 4-series before. In fact, the E46 3-series was the last BMW-convertible with a fabric roof.
And just look at it yourself, it looks much better like this, right? Because of the fabric roof, the back of the car is much lower.
That way, it looks much more elegant. And that's a good thing, because the new 4-series convertible is quite a big car.
It's got quite a lot of luggage space, so what do we put it up against? The Audi A5 cabriolet? That would be incredibly logical,
but it wasn't available. A Mercedes-Benz C-Class convertible? Nah, that's incredibly outdated. A new one is one the way as well.
We've seen spy pictures of it as well. However, Mercedes-Benz does have an E-Class convertible in their range as well.
And it's not that much more expensive than the 4-series convertible. This particular 420i convertible over here, starts at €63.500.
And the Mercedes-Benz E200 convertible over here starts at €67.700. And sure, the Mercedes is longer, but the wheelbases are practically...
the same. The BMW even has more luggage space than the Mercedes.
The amount of convertibles that are on sale today has been reduced over the years, except for in the premium segments.
And that's what we're looking at today. This is full-sized four-seater convertible, and when I sit behind myself, it's slightly more cramped...
than in the Mercedes. Despite the similar wheelbases, that is. It might be because of the bigger luggage space of the BMW.
I can just manage with my 1.82 m. self, but it's not like I got any room left.
I do have to say, BMW has really done a good job with the roof. It looks incredibly smooth, not in any way like a tent or anything.
The same goes for the inside. If you drive around with the roof up, it looks really tight. And it's very quiet as well. Back in the day,
that wasn't the case with a fabric roof, but now it's got all kinds of layers and it's really quiet.
Driving at a motorway-pace with the top down isn't bad either. They didn't supply me with the windscreen in this car,
but at around 100 or 110 km/h it's still alright. However, if you're in the back, it's windier than in the E-Class in the same situation.
And I'm talking about the windows up, but without a windscreen.
Other than that, this car has a similar system to Mercedes' AirScarf. It blows hot air into your neck through the headrest.
That's very comfortable, so if you turn it on, you're able to drive with the top down even in lower temperatures.
So, the 4-series. It's a very dynamic car, like we've already established when the coupé-version was introduced.
The steering is incredibly direct and the car immediately does what you want it to do. It really grows around you.
And that's typically BMW. And because it's a typical BMW, you'll notice this engine doesn't have that much power.
It's a 420i, so it's powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder producing 184 horsepower. Don't get me wrong, it's not slow, but it's not fast...
either. It should do 0-100 km/h in 8,2 seconds, but I couldn't get it to go faster than 8,9 seconds. So if you ask me, I would keep on saving...
so you can buy the 430i. And again, this isn't a slow car. It's rapid enough and the 8-speed automatic gearbox is very good. Very active...
as well, but you'll constantly get the feeling you're driving the entry level version of the 4-series convertible.
Mercedes has always kept the E-Class Convertible close to the C-Class Convertible. And it's a very elegant car to look at, especially next...
to the 4-series. It's quite a big car as well. Like I said, there's more legroom in the back, but it doesn't offer as much luggage space.
And it's the E200, so it's powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder producing 197 horsepower. That means it has a little bit more pep than...
the BMW. However, it's a tad heavier as well. The BMW weighs 1.660 kg whilst this car weighs 1.730 kg. And you might think 'it's only...
70 kg', but you can actually feel that this is a heavier car. Whenever you get into a corner, it really has to position itself first.
On the other hand, I think it would've felt the same when it actually had the same weight as the BMW. It just feels heavier.
Anyway, the drivetrain is very good for an entry level version. It's got the EQ Power-mild hybrid system, and the amazing 9G-tronic gearbox.
I'm always surprised by it. Whenever you drive a Mercedes with that 9-speed automatic, I'm always surprised by how good it is.
It works together so incredibly well with the engines. You don't even notice the gear changes, you only see the rev counter dip sometimes.
Other than that, it's a lovely drivetrain. This car doesn't give me the idea to save up a little bit more to buy a more powerful version.
On the other hand, driving a convertible doesn't have anything to do with sporty driving. But you do want to get off the line relatively quickly.
And this is only a tad faster than the 420i when you're setting off. In inbetween sprints, they're just as quick.
But for the feeling, when you're setting off, this just does better than the BMW.
So let's talk about the convertible-stuff of this car. I already mentioned that there's less wind-interference when you're driving on the motorway.
Also, it has a spoiler that comes out above the A-pillar and you can make a net appear behind the rear seats.
It really looks ridiculous, this spoiler and that netting. And if you're driving down the wind, it actually generates more wind noise.
There's less wind in the cabin, but it makes more noise. However, that's fully dependant on the wind direction. And to be honest,
it's a typical Mercedes-trick. They were the first with AirScarf as well. So if you press this button, you'd think it's similar to the BMW.
But it's a tad warmer than in the BMW. Mercedes-Benz is turning out to be quite the convertible brand.
The steering isn't as direct as in the BMW. You move the steering wheel, and you get more of a ship-feeling. It takes some time...
before it follows your directions. However, it's more comfortable than the 4-series.
The 4-series isn't uncomfortable or anything, but if you get into the Mercedes after you've been in the BMW, you'll have to think twice...
if you drove the BMW in Sport-mode. When it actually was in Comfort-mode, that's how comfortable this Mercedes is.
I already mentioned the entry level prices, which are usually quite remarkable at BMW and Mercedes.
This Mercedes starts at around €68.000 whilst the BMW starts at around €63.000. However, they're lavishly equipped,
which adds around €25.000 of options. So in total, there's only a price gap of €2.000. This particular Mercedes will cost you €90.000 as opposed...
to the €88.000 that the BMW costs. And this Mercedes feels more like a luxury car than the BMW. And that's mostly because of the MBUX-dashboard.
It's already five years old, but if you ask me, they should continue it for years. It looks great, just like the vents over here and such.
It just looks better than in the BMW, and that's why the Mercedes wins it today.