Powerful four-seater convertibles are considered pleasure cars. Is the open-top BMW M440i with all-wheel drive still affordable when it comes to everyday costs?
"The four-wheeler focuses more on curves than on comfort, and despite the high weight it excels in handling. In addition, its six-in-line engine impresses with its e-boost - and great sound." In the duel of the fine four-seater convertibles with powerful six-cylinder petrol engines, the BMW M440i convertible with all-wheel drive clearly prevails against a Bavarian competitor. But can the pleasure car also convince with low consumption and low everyday costs?
Our test consumption
With a test consumption of 10.0 liters per 100 kilometers, the open four is 2.2 liters above the WLTP factory specification. This leads to fuel costs of 15.89 euros for this route. It is cheaper if you can reproduce the eco-consumption: 7.3 liters drop the equivalent of the tanked premium petrol to 11.60 euros. If the consumption pendulum swings in the other direction, namely to the level of our sports driver consumption, the fuel consumption rises to 11.9 liters and the associated costs to 18.91 euros. The fuel costs are calculated using the daily updated fuel price on our partner portal mehr-tanken.de (05.08.2021 /Super E5: 1.589 euros/litre).
Monthly maintenance costs
The owners of a BMW M440i Cabrio xDrive face a vehicle tax of 258 euros year after year. Liability insurance costs 458 euros for the same period, while the upgrade for partially comprehensive insurance costs 356 euros and that for fully comprehensive insurance costs 1,031 euros. All this leads to maintenance costs of 383 euros if the six-cylinder convertible is driven 15,000 kilometers a year. If the mileage doubles, the sum increases to 682 euros. The loss of value plays no role in this calculation.
How to test
The auto motor und sport test consumption consists of three differently weighted consumption drives. So-called “commuter consumption” accounts for 70 percent. This is a journey from home to work, which averages 21 kilometers. A particularly economical, approx. 275-kilometre-long eco-lap is included in the rating with 15 percent. The remaining 15 percent is accounted for by the sports driver lap. The length is roughly the same as the eco lap, but the route includes a larger proportion of motorway and thus higher speeds on average. The basis for calculating the fuel costs is always the price quoted on the "more tanken" portal on the day the article was created.
The monthly maintenance costs include maintenance, wear part costs and vehicle taxes assuming an annual mileage of 15,000 and 30,000 kilometers without loss of value. The calculation is based on the test consumption, a three-year holding period, no-claims class SF12 for liability and comprehensive insurance with Allianz, including discounts for garage parkers and the restriction to certain drivers (not under 21). At Allianz, SF12 offers a discount rate of 34 percent for liability and 28 percent for comprehensive insurance.
Conclusion
The BMW M440i Cabrio xDrive with 374 hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo petrol engine costs at least 75,900 euros and consumes an average of 10.0 liters, which results in fuel costs of 15.89 euros per 100 kilometers. The monthly maintenance costs are 383 euros for an annual mileage of 15,000 kilometers. If this increases to 30,000 kilometers, the sum increases to 682 euros.
