2014 BMW 428i xDrive: Learning How To Compromise

There was once a time when all-wheel drive convertibles were the unicorns of the automotive industry, much in the same way that manual transmission station wagons are today.  The 2014 BMW 428i xDrive cabriolet, however, is one of a growing chorus of four-wheel-enabled drop-tops that pleasantly suggest to luxury shoppers that they be employed year-round.  The 4 Series (which replaces last year’s 3 Series convertible) goes one further than most of its rivals in this winter/summer sweepstakes by including a retractable hardtop that does a better job of keeping out cold weather chill than any fabric yet devised.

Along the path towards pleasing Canadian buyers willing to shell out a princely sum for a toy they won’t have to put away when the snow flies, the BMW 428i xDrive cabriolet has of course had to make a few compromises.  Fortunately, as long as you go into the buying process with your eyes wide open about what these are, you most likely won’t be disappointed with the end result.

Personality Measured In Metric Tonnes

BMW hasn’t been immune to the weight creep that has spread through the entry-level luxury segment over the past decade, and the 2014 BMW 428i xDrive cabriolet is probably the ultimate express of this particular strain of automotive over-indulgence.  The convertible’s 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine is being asked to move almost 2,000 kilos of car, a hefty figure that is only exacerbated by the further weight of its all-wheel drive system.  To suggest that 240 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque should be up to this task is reasonable, but it also comes with the understanding that sporty sprints along winding back roads are out of the picture.  Even with an eight-speed automatic transmission calling the shots (standard with the convertible), there’s simply too much gut and not enough gumption for anything other than average acceleration, let alone the requisite level of backbone in the cabriolet’s chassis to support a full-on figure-skating routine through the esses.

Quotidian Quality

What the 2014 BMW 428i xDrive cabriolet does do quite well, however, is keep the eggs from getting cracked on your way home from the grocery store.  What I mean by that is the convertible is a uniquely comfortable cruising companion, a vehicle whose smooth ride and confident steering make it a pleasure to drive when performance is the last thing on your mind.  Aside from its higher price and the impact of the car’s extra weight on its fuel mileage, as a daily driver there’s only one real caveat to keep in mind when selecting the cabriolet over the 4 Series coupe: trunk space is extremely limited with the roof stowed.  Other than that, you’ve got a quiet interior with the top in the raised position, a not-too-stormy cabin when sailing down the highway under the sun, and a great seating position with lots of room for forward occupants (rear riders face the same tight, but not unusable confines offered by the coupe).

High Profile

Another factor that might sway you towards the convertible edition of the 4 Series rather than the coupe is its styling.  Using a retractable hardtop instead of a standard cloth setup allowed designers to not only better insulate the car’s passenger compartment but also better approximate the looks of a two-door, fixed-roof model.  In the case of the 428i xDrive this takes the form of a more traditional profile than is found with the actual 4 Series coupe, necessitated in part by the rear-hinged trunk lid under which the top is stored.  It’s a good-looking marriage of form and function, and one that continues to set the BMW apart from other premium rivals in its class.

Jack Of All Trades

We are living in a world where the appearance of a blue-and-white roundel on the hood no longer guarantees a performance-first driving experience.  The move towards softer, more luxury-oriented automobiles began long ago at BMW and shows no signs of slowing its inexorable progress throughout the brand’s line-up.  That being said, when it comes to a car, as in life, compromise can act as a bridge between two worlds that might otherwise never meet.  I’ve illustrated above how adding to the 2014 BMW 428i xDrive’s capabilities – all-wheel drive, slick steel roof – has also subtracted somewhat from the brand’s traditional sporty image due to the added weight and complexity that such design decisions entail.

If you are looking for an engaging two-door with a more direct edge, then BMW directs you to the 4 Series or even the 2 Series coupes.  If you are willing to set aside sporting pretensions for the flash and fun of a convertible, combined with a level of practicality that doesn’t dictate you purchase a second vehicle in which to slog out the winter months, then the 428i xDrive cabriolet is a viable option.