BMW M3 Convertible Hire

Now in its fourth generation, the fastest 3-Series cabrio gets a folding hard-top for the first time, promising all-weather usability and coupé levels of refinement and chassis stiffness.

Just as important for performance fans is the 414bhp 4.0-litre V8 engine – which the drop-top shares with its coupé and saloon stablemates – along with the arrival of the eagerly anticipated semi-automatic gearbox. The M3 Convertible is the first BMW to get the new M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT). Bosses claim the seven-speed set-up not only boosts performance, but also slashes fuel consumption and emissions.

There’s no mistaking this car for anything other than an M3. At the front is a deeper bumper with larger openings for additional cooling, while the bonnet gets a power bulge and extra vents. Look down the sides and you will spot the chunky wheelarches, and the chrome grilles in the front wings wear M3 logos. At the rear are distinctive quad tailpipes. Lowering the electrically operated roof takes 22 seconds, and once it’s stowed you can fully enjoy the vocal powerplant as it revs to an incredible 8,300rpm.

Even though the folding hard-top mechanism adds 23kg to the weight, performance is still impressive. With the M DCT transmission, the sprint from 0-62mph takes 5.1 seconds – that’s 0.2 seconds faster than in the standard manual six-speed model. Fuel economy rises from 21.9mpg to 23.0mpg, while CO2 emissions are reduced by 16g/km to 293g/km.

Drivers can fine-tune the gearshift with the DRIVELOGIC function. Five settings give a gradually more sporty response – the fastest option serves up ferociously rapid shifts with each pull on the wheel-mounted paddles. Unfortunately, changes can be jerky, even in full automatic mode.