A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
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Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Dawn
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
M4 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
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
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Model Introduced Year
2016
2021
Generation
Dawn four-seat convertible; this archive profile uses the MY17 World specification corroborated by a February 2018 South African road test.
G83 full-M soft-top convertible with M xDrive and body-specific roof and luggage packaging.
Facelift History
The MY17 configuration is kept separate from the 2015 launch specification, which published different length, torque, acceleration, consumption and CO2 figures.
Current updated G83-generation M4 Competition Convertible in the South African AWD configuration.
Facelift Launched Since
2017
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
2023
Current
Body Style
Convertible
Convertible
Model Year
2017
2026
Production Status
discontinued
active
Segment
Ultra-luxury convertible
Premium Convertible
Vehicle Type
Passenger car
Car
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Length
5295 mm
4801 mm
Width
1947 mm
1887 mm
Height
1502 mm
1399 mm
Wheelbase
3112 mm
2857 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
149 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
149 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
82 l
59 l
Boot/Cargo Space
321 l
385 l
Kerb Weight
2560 kg
2000 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3040 kg
2345 kg
Payload Capacity
480 kg
420 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
2 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.35 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1018 mm
987 mm
Rear Headroom
963 mm
947 mm
Front Legroom
1054 mm
1036 mm
Rear Legroom
937 mm
890 mm
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Engine
6.592-litre twin-turbo V12
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
N74B66A
B48
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
6592 cc
2993 cc
Cylinders
12
6
Cylinder Layout
V
Inline
Valves
48
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
10.5:1
Bore
89 mm
82.0 mm
Stroke
88.3 mm
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
390 kW
Maximum Torque
820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
650 Nm @ 2750-5730 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
RWD
RWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
280 km/h
0-100 km/h
5.0 sec
3.7 sec
Quarter Mile
12.8 sec
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Low
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
164.1 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
320.3 Nm/tonne
220 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
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Gearbox
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
2.813
Yes
Number of Gears
8
8
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Steering-column selector for 8-speed automatic
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
RWD
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
No
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Two axles
Yes
Transmission Speeds
8
8
LSD Available
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not confirmed
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Claimed Mileage
6.99 km/l
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
4.59 km/l
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.10 km/l
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
82 l
59 l
Emission Standard
EU6
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
No automatic engine stop/start
Standard
Real-world Mileage
6.99 km/l
12.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
82
59
Combined Driving Range
575 km
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
522.93 km
420 km
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
360 km
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
ESP
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Hill-start assist
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Applicable
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
LATCH child-seat anchor system
Standard
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Front Park Distance Control
Yes
AEB
Available
Yes
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Not Applicable
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Hill-start assist
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Standard
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Yes
Stability Control
ESP
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Front active knee protection
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not confirmed
Yes
Brake Override System
Not confirmed
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Cruise Control
Automatic Cruise Control
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Optional
Yes
Parking Sensors
Park-distance system
Yes
Rear View Camera
Optional rear-view camera with top view
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Available
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Glare-free high-beam technology
Standard
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed wipers
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear Park Distance Control
Yes
Reverse Camera
Optional rear-view camera with top view
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Yes
Park Assist
Front and rear parking sensors
Parking Assist Plus
Around View Monitor
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Pre-collision safety system
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Optional
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not confirmed
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not confirmed
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not confirmed
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not confirmed
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Seat Material
Leather
Leather 'Merino', with extended contents , Kyalami Orange/Black
Heated Seats
Front; standard
Front
Ventilated Seats
Optional front ventilated seats
Front
Ambient Lighting
Optional – Atmospheric Interior Environment
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment and memory
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Leather
M Sport seats
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Climate Control
Individual front and rear climate controls
Standard
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Entry keyless access
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Keyless ignition
Yes
Sunroof
Not Applicable
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Smart power opening and closing luggage-compartment lid
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
AC Type
Individual front and rear climate controls
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Infotainment System
Multimedia interface and navigation with Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller
Widescreen Display
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
18
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Analogue instruments with Power Reserve gauge
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
USB Ports
Standard
2
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch high-definition display
14.9
Touchscreen
10.25-inch high-definition display
14.9
Apple CarPlay
Not confirmed
Yes
Android Auto
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Bespoke exterior colour commissioning
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Applicable
Yes
Fog Lamps
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Approach Angle
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Tyre Size
Front 255/45 R20 101Y; rear 285/40 R20 104Y
225/50 R18
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc
M Compound brake, red high-gloss
Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc
M Compound brake, red high-gloss
Spare Wheel Type
No spare wheel; run-flat tyres
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
Front 8.5 x 20; rear 9.5 x 20
19"/20" M forged wheels Double-spoke style 826 M Bicolour Black / MT
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on the rear wheels
Electronic
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Front Suspension
Double-wishbone pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-link pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Adaptive M Suspension
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
CO2 Emissions
326 g/km
237 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Designed for 95 RON; minimum 91 RON
-
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Service Plan
4 years, unlimited kilometres
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Ownership Role
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.
Enthusiast and executive
Pricing Role
Historical price on application
Current recommended retail price
Price Zar
Not confirmed
2330000 ZAR
Starting Price
Not confirmed
2330000
Starting Price Zar
Not confirmed
2330000
Spec
Dawn
M4 Convertible
Warranty
4 years, unlimited kilometres
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This Dawn 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: Dawn 97 vs M4 Convertible 97.
Efficiency index: Dawn 31 vs M4 Convertible 47.
Safety-equipment index: Dawn 90 vs M4 Convertible 92.
Practicality index: Dawn 52 vs M4 Convertible 53.
Ownership-cover index: Dawn 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.
Model imagery
Dawn and M4 Convertible 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
M4 Convertible leads by 4 points
Dawn and M4 Convertible are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
M4 Convertible
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
47/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
53/100
Dawn
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
31/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW M4 Convertible
leads the specification evidence index with 74 pts
vs 70 pts for Dawn
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, M4 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.
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