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.
M4 Convertible has a modest catalogue-index lead, while L4 remains close.
L4 starts ZAR 2,030,100 cheaperL4 from ZAR 299,900 · M4 Convertible from ZAR 2,330,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
L4
M4 Convertible
Maximum Power
L4108 kW @ 5500 rpm
M4 Convertible390 kW
Maximum Torque
L4225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
M4 Convertible650 Nm @ 2750-5730 rpm
Engine Size
L41499 cc
M4 Convertible2993 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
L414.3 km/l
M4 Convertible12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
L4160 mm
M4 Convertible140 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
LEPAS L4
1.5T Pantera 6DCT
Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
L4
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
M4 Convertible
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
L4
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
M4 Convertible
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Model Introduced Year
2026
2021
Generation
First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
G83 full-M soft-top convertible with M xDrive and body-specific roof and luggage packaging.
Facelift History
The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026.
Current updated G83-generation M4 Competition Convertible in the South African AWD configuration.
Facelift Launched Since
2026
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Convertible
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Compact SUV
Premium Convertible
Vehicle Type
SUV
Car
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Length
4406 mm
4801 mm
Width
1820 mm
1887 mm
Height
1635 mm
1399 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2857 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
160 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
59 l
Boot/Cargo Space
458 l
385 l
Kerb Weight
1346 kg
2000 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1844 kg
2345 kg
Payload Capacity
498 kg
420 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.275 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1005 mm
987 mm
Rear Headroom
975 mm
947 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
1036 mm
Rear Legroom
890 mm
890 mm
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
SQRE4T15C
B48
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1499 cc
2993 cc
Cylinders
4
6
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-Point Electronic Fuel Injection
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
10.5:1
Bore
77.0 mm
82.0 mm
Stroke
80.5 mm
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
108 kW @ 5500 rpm
390 kW
Maximum Torque
225 Nm @ 2000-4000 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
FWD
RWD
Transmission
6-Speed DCT
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
185 km/h
280 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.2 sec
3.7 sec
Quarter Mile
17.6 sec
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
80.2 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
167.2 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
L4
M4 Convertible
Gearbox
6-speed dual-clutch automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
4.13:1
Yes
Number of Gears
6
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Dual clutch
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
FWD
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
Not Available
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
8
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Claimed Mileage
14.3 km/l
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
11.5 km/l
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
16.8 km/l
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
59 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6B
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Real-world Mileage
14.3 km/l
12.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
51
59
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
420 km
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
AEB
Standard
Yes
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes - front seats
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Cruise Control
Adaptive
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Park Assist
No
Parking Assist Plus
Around View Monitor
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Yes
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Seat Material
Faux leather
Leather 'Merino', with extended contents , Kyalami Orange/Black
Heated Seats
No
Front
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Front
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Faux leather
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way power
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Faux leather
M Sport seats
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Climate Control
Climate control
Standard
Power Windows
Front and rear
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Standard
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
AC Type
Climate control
Standard
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Infotainment System
13.2-inch
Widescreen Display
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Yes
Android Auto
Standard
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
8-inch segment display
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
USB Ports
2
2
Infotainment Screen
13.2-inch
14.9
Touchscreen
13.2-inch
14.9
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear
Yes
Roof Rails
Standard
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
LEPAS South Africa colour availability varies by derivative and launch allocation.
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Yes
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Approach Angle
20.0 deg
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
28.0 deg
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
400 mm
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
No
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
18.5 deg
Not Applicable
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Tyre Size
215/60 R17
225/50 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
M Compound brake, red high-gloss
Rear Brake Type
Disc
M Compound brake, red high-gloss
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary T-type spare tyre
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
19"/20" M forged wheels Double-spoke style 826 M Bicolour Black / MT
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut independent suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam semi-independent suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
CO2 Emissions
159 g/km
237 g/km
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Service Plan
5 years / 75,000 km
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Ownership Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Enthusiast and executive
Price Zar
419900 ZAR
2330000 ZAR
Pricing Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
419900
2330000
Starting Price Zar
419900
2330000
Spec
L4
M4 Convertible
Warranty
5 years / 150,000 km
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This L4 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: L4 47 vs M4 Convertible 97.
Efficiency index: L4 56 vs M4 Convertible 47.
Safety-equipment index: L4 92 vs M4 Convertible 92.
Practicality index: L4 59 vs M4 Convertible 53.
Ownership-cover index: L4 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
L4 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 10 points
M4 Convertible has a modest catalogue-index lead, while L4 remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
M4 Convertible
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
47/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
53/100
L4
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
59/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW M4 Convertible
leads the specification evidence index with 74 pts
vs 64 pts for L4
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, M4 Convertible leads. However, L4 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
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.