A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Dawn
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
4 Series Convertible
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Dawn
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Model Introduced Year
2020
2016
Generation
G23 four-seat premium convertible related to the G22 Coupé but with body- and roof-specific packaging.
Dawn four-seat convertible; this archive profile uses the MY17 World specification corroborated by a February 2018 South African road test.
Facelift History
Current updated G23-generation BMW 4 Series Convertible offered in South Africa with a fabric soft top.
The MY17 configuration is kept separate from the 2015 launch specification, which published different length, torque, acceleration, consumption and CO2 figures.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2017
Facelift Version Ending
Current
2023
Body Style
Convertible
Convertible
Model Year
2026
2017
Production Status
active
discontinued
Segment
Premium Convertible
Ultra-luxury convertible
Vehicle Type
Car
Passenger car
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Length
4770 mm
5295 mm
Width
1852 mm
1947 mm
Height
1394 mm
1502 mm
Wheelbase
2851 mm
3112 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
149 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
149 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
82 l
Boot/Cargo Space
385 l
321 l
Kerb Weight
1965 kg
2560 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2375 kg
3040 kg
Payload Capacity
485 kg
480 kg
Towing Capacity
1800 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
2 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
6.35 m
Front Headroom
997 mm
1018 mm
Rear Headroom
942 mm
963 mm
Front Legroom
1049 mm
1054 mm
Rear Legroom
899 mm
937 mm
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
6.592-litre twin-turbo V12
Engine Code
B48
N74B66A
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2998 cc
6592 cc
Cylinders
6
12
Cylinder Layout
Inline
V
Valves
16
48
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Twin Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
10.0:1
Bore
82.0 mm
89 mm
Stroke
94.6 mm
88.3 mm
Maximum Power
285 kW
420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
RWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.9 sec
5.0 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
12.8 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Low
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
164.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
320.3 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Paddle Shifters
Yes
No
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
2.813
Number of Gears
8
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Clutch Type
Yes
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not confirmed
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Steering-column selector for 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
RWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
No
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
Two axles
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Transmission Speeds
8
8
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
6.99 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
4.59 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
10.10 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
82 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
EU6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
No automatic engine stop/start
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
6.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
59
82
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
575 km
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not confirmed
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
522.93 km
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
ESP
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not confirmed
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Hill-start assist
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Applicable
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
LATCH child-seat anchor system
Brake Assist
Standard
Dynamic Brake Control
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Engine immobiliser
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Front Park Distance Control
AEB
Yes
Available
BA
Standard
Dynamic Brake Control
Brake Override System
Yes
Not confirmed
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Not Applicable
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Hill-start assist
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not confirmed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Front and rear
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Side Airbags
Yes
Front side-impact airbags
Stability Control
Standard
ESP
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Front active knee protection
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Cruise Control
Standard
Automatic Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Optional
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Optional
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not confirmed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not confirmed
Parking Sensors
Yes
Park-distance system
Rear View Camera
Yes
Optional rear-view camera with top view
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not confirmed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not confirmed
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Glare-free high-beam technology
Auto Wipers
Yes
Rain-sensing variable-speed wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Rear Park Distance Control
Reverse Camera
Yes
Optional rear-view camera with top view
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Park Assist
Parking Assist Plus
Front and rear parking sensors
Around View Monitor
Yes
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not confirmed
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Pre-collision safety system
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with decorative stitching
Leather
Heated Seats
Front
Front; standard
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Optional front ventilated seats
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Optional – Atmospheric Interior Environment
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment and memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment
Seat Trim
Yes
Leather
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Climate Control
Standard
Individual front and rear climate controls
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Comfort Entry keyless access
Push Button Start
Yes
Keyless ignition
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not confirmed
Sunroof
Panoramic
Not Applicable
Electric Tailgate
No
Smart power opening and closing luggage-compartment lid
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Standard
Individual front and rear climate controls
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
Multimedia interface and navigation with Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Not confirmed
Android Auto
Yes
Not confirmed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
18
Digital Instrument Cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
Analogue instruments with Power Reserve gauge
USB Ports
2
Standard
Infotainment Screen
14.9
10.25-inch high-definition display
Touchscreen
14.9
10.25-inch high-definition display
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Not confirmed
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Bespoke exterior colour commissioning
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
Front 255/45 R20 101Y; rear 285/40 R20 104Y
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Power-assisted ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Power-assisted ventilated disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
No spare wheel; run-flat tyres
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
Front 8.5 x 20; rear 9.5 x 20
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electromechanical parking brake acting on the rear wheels
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Double-wishbone pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Multi-link pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
CO2 Emissions
192 g/km
326 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Designed for 95 RON; minimum 91 RON
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
4 years, unlimited kilometres
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Ownership Role
Private and enthusiast
Historical South African Dawn derivative launched locally in March 2016 and documented locally in 2018; the March 2022 global Dawn order-book closure is an outer bound, not proof of the exact South African withdrawal year, while production ended in 2023.
Price Zar
1642500 ZAR
Not confirmed
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Historical price on application
Starting Price
1642500
Not confirmed
Starting Price Zar
1642500
Not confirmed
Spec
4 Series Convertible
Dawn
Warranty
Yes
4 years, unlimited kilometres
In depth: how these cars differ
This 4 Series Convertible and Dawn comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: 4 Series Convertible 97 vs Dawn 97.
Efficiency index: 4 Series Convertible 49 vs Dawn 31.
Safety-equipment index: 4 Series Convertible 92 vs Dawn 90.
Practicality index: 4 Series Convertible 55 vs Dawn 52.
Ownership-cover index: 4 Series Convertible not separately scored vs Dawn not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
4 Series Convertible and Dawn image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
4 Series Convertible leads by 5 points
4 Series Convertible and Dawn are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Level
Efficiency
4 Series Convertible +18
Safety
4 Series Convertible +2
Practicality
4 Series Convertible +3
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
4 Series Convertible
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
55/100
Dawn
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
31/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 4 Series Convertible
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 70 pts for Dawn
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 4 Series Convertible leads. However, Dawn may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Compare
Get Best Price
We'll Contact You
Fill in your details and a dedicated executive will reach out shortly.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
An executive will contact you shortly. Thank you for your interest.