BMW 4 Series Convertible vs BMW M4 Convertible

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.

BMW 4 Series Convertible in South Africa

BMW 4 Series Convertible

M440i xDrive Convertible Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,642,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 285 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
VS
BMW M4 Convertible in South Africa

BMW M4 Convertible

M4 Competition Convertible AWD Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 2,330,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 390 kW 🔧 650 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BMW 4 Series Convertible vs BMW M4 Convertible: the short answer

4 Series Convertible and M4 Convertible are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

4 Series Convertible starts ZAR 1,183,500 cheaper 4 Series Convertible from ZAR 1,146,500 · M4 Convertible from ZAR 2,330,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification 4 Series Convertible M4 Convertible
Maximum Power 4 Series Convertible285 kW M4 Convertible390 kW
Maximum Torque 4 Series Convertible500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm M4 Convertible650 Nm @ 2750-5730 rpm
Engine Size 4 Series Convertible2998 cc M4 Convertible2993 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 4 Series Convertible12.5 km/l M4 Convertible12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance 4 Series Convertible140 mm M4 Convertible140 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

4 Series Convertible

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

M4 Convertible

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • 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 stronger published space and capacity figures

M4 Convertible

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec 4 Series Convertible M4 Convertible
Model Introduced Year 2020 2021
Generation G23 four-seat premium convertible related to the G22 Coupé but with body- and roof-specific packaging. G83 full-M soft-top convertible with M xDrive and body-specific roof and luggage packaging.
Facelift History Current updated G23-generation BMW 4 Series Convertible offered in South Africa with a fabric soft top. Current updated G83-generation M4 Competition Convertible in the South African AWD configuration.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Convertible Convertible
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Premium Convertible Premium Convertible
Vehicle Type Car Car
Spec 4 Series Convertible M4 Convertible
Length 4770 mm 4801 mm
Width 1852 mm 1887 mm
Height 1394 mm 1399 mm
Wheelbase 2851 mm 2857 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 140 mm 140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 125 mm 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 59 l 59 l
Boot/Cargo Space 385 l 385 l
Kerb Weight 1965 kg 2000 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2375 kg 2345 kg
Payload Capacity 485 kg 420 kg
Towing Capacity 1800 kg 1600 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 5.6 m
Front Headroom 997 mm 987 mm
Rear Headroom 942 mm 947 mm
Front Legroom 1049 mm 1036 mm
Rear Legroom 899 mm 890 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This 4 Series Convertible and M4 Convertible 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 M4 Convertible 97.

Efficiency index: 4 Series Convertible 49 vs M4 Convertible 47.

Safety-equipment index: 4 Series Convertible 92 vs M4 Convertible 92.

Practicality index: 4 Series Convertible 55 vs M4 Convertible 53.

Ownership-cover index: 4 Series Convertible not separately scored vs M4 Convertible 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.

Specification Evidence Index

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 1 points

4 Series Convertible and M4 Convertible are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 83% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

4 Series Convertible

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 97 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 97
Efficiency 49
Safety 92
Practicality 55
Leads by 1 points
74
#2

M4 Convertible

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 97 Check Efficiency 47
Performance 97
Efficiency 47
Safety 92
Practicality 53
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Level Efficiency 4 Series Convertible +2 Safety Level Practicality 4 Series Convertible +2

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

4 Series Convertible

Performance 97/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 55/100

M4 Convertible

Performance 97/100
Efficiency 47/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 53/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BMW 4 Series Convertible leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 74 pts for M4 Convertible

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 4 Series Convertible leads. However, M4 Convertible may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

4 Series Convertible vs M4 Convertible questions

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.