Poll 4er vs 6er Convertible

[Osnabrueck]

Hello strangers! Good to be here in non-lurking form again...

Spring is here and I've spontaneously decided to consider convertibles for the coming warm months. Looking for some perspective from those with hands-on experience with the 4er and 6er verts.

There's lots of CPO stock out there for 428/35i and 640/50i right now. With a couple year's worth of deprecation it seems like the two cars are priced within a few thousand bucks of each other, if equipment is apples-to-apples.

Wondering if any of you who have had any length of hands-on experience with both these cars could provide some perspective. My gut just tells me get a modestly equipped 428i and be done with it, but the car guy in me also can't pass up spending another $4-5k to get a stupid awesome car for the summer.

Some notes:
- I want a compliment suspension because SF has terrible roads. Active suspension is a must.
- My commute is less than 2 miles and I usually bike to work. Fuel economy isn't a factor.
- Comfort for long weekend road trips is a plus.
- I plan to own just through the summer. Thinking of trading for A7 or Q7 when winter comes around.
- Budget is ideally sub-$55k

Off the cuff, a stripper CPO M-package 428i seems perfectly ok, but some of those 640s and 650s seem so cheap I'm wondering if the enthusiast value is better going big.

 

[SDNR]

Hello strangers! Good to be here in non-lurking form again...

Spring is here and I've spontaneously decided to consider convertibles for the coming warm months. Looking for some perspective from those with hands-on experience with the 4er and 6er verts.

There's lots of CPO stock out there for 428/35i and 640/50i right now. With a couple year's worth of deprecation it seems like the two cars are priced within a few thousand bucks of each other, if equipment is apples-to-apples.

Wondering if any of you who have had any length of hands-on experience with both these cars could provide some perspective. My gut just tells me get a modestly equipped 428i and be done with it, but the car guy in me also can't pass up spending another $4-5k to get a stupid awesome car for the summer.

Some notes:
- I want a compliment suspension because SF has terrible roads. Active suspension is a must.
- My commute is less than 2 miles and I usually bike to work. Fuel economy isn't a factor.
- Comfort for long weekend road trips is a plus.
- I plan to own just through the summer. Thinking of trading for A7 or Q7 when winter comes around.
- Budget is ideally sub-$55k

Off the cuff, a stripper CPO M-package 428i seems perfectly ok, but some of those 640s and 650s seem so cheap I'm wondering if the enthusiast value is better going big.

How great to see you back Josh. Sorry I won't be much help to you with your new convertible but I look forward to discussions with you again.

 

[Foxfire]

Well from a longer ownership perspective I would say the 4 makes more sense than the 6. It's more practical (usable rear seats, smaller in external dimensions), a bit nimbler if still a great GT. It deprecates less in relative terms and is one of the prettier convertibles. I have one on order. However, for your particular case where you plan to have it purely over the summer and if you just want a luxurous GT feeling with little need for a usable back seat and don't mind the larger size, I say get the 6.

 

[Osnabrueck]

How great to see you back Josh. Sorry I won't be much help to you with your new convertible but I look forward to discussions with you again.

Good to be back SDNR! Good to hear from you.

 

[klier]

650i without a shadow of a doubt if it´s just for the summer. The 428i is a great car, but a 650i is an experience.

 

[Centurion]

Finding a CPO with Adaptive M-Suspension is not easy, but you are more likely to find a 6er than a 4er with the option. For indulgence and a sense of escapism, the 6er has the upper hand. If you can afford it then go for it.

I have driven the 4er. It's an excellent car, but won't take your breath away if you are accustomed to premium German cars.

 

[trader1]

Finding a CPO with Adaptive M-Suspension is not easy, but you are more likely to find a 6er than a 4er with the option. For indulgence and a sense of escapism, the 6er has the upper hand. If you can afford it then go for it.

I have driven the 4er. It's an excellent car, but won't take your breath away if you are accustomed to premium German cars.

I drove a 650 for 3 yrs and tried the 428 as a loaner car.. Go for the 650 and get the full feel good factor ..from what I remember the 428 was a nice car but felt a bit crude when compared to the 6. I rem the ride feeling harsher and I had 20s. The 650 is velvety smooth. Seems like you can swing the extra bucks , skip the 640 get the 650. You're summer will become much more memorable !

 

[Centurion]

I drove a 650 for 3 yrs and tried the 428 as a loaner car.. Go for the 650 and get the full feel good factor ..from what I remember the 428 was a nice car but felt a bit crude when compared to the 6. I rem the ride feeling harsher and I had 20s. The 650 is velvety smooth. Seems like you can swing the extra bucks , skip the 640 get the 650. You're summer will become much more memorable !

Yupp. The 4er's suspension is tuned more for sport than comfort. I had it as a loaner sitting on 19s but found it rather bumpy on urban roads. However on twisty roads and sharp corners the car came into its own and was thrilling to drive. On the urban roads of SF it would be wasted.

 

[Mark]

Welcome back Osna!!

6er hands down!

 

[Beemer B773ER]

My gut just tells me get a modestly equipped 428i and be done with it, but the car guy in me also can't pass up spending another $4-5k to get a stupid awesome car for the summer.

You only live once buddy!

You can go for the sensible option when it's time to get the A7/Q7.

 

[Osnabrueck]

Thanks for the feedback all! Will give the 650i a serious look.

I took the F30 328 and 335 for a spin last year and found it to be tidy but underwhelming. Coming from an S-Line A4 it just seemed a bit... totally ok, but needing an extra touch here and there.

Excited to start shopping. Will keep you guys updated on the hunt!

 

[Mr Robert]

My first thought is that the 4 will depreciate a lot more, given it's a couple of years younger. Other than that, I like the 4 more than the 6. Never liked the interior of the 6 but the 50i is no doubt a plus!

 

[PanterroR]

Wow! Good ol' friend Josh... Nice to see you doing fine, man...

After driving the 650i convertible last year for 2 days and despite being totally anti-cabrio guy, i must say that car is as far as the sound, performance and looks goes one hell of a machine. I cannot say anything about 4er convertible, didn't drove it and never had a chance to look/hear one IRL, but owning that TT V8 in my 5er i'm sure it sounds 100 times better than a I6... For the looks i won't comment because it's the personal choice, but i'm sure many will agree that 6er looks way more muscular and has way more presence than 4er...