We have another go in the BMW M4

Looking for that open air driving experience but prefer the badge to be BMW? Fret not because the M4 convertible is finally here.

BMW has ditched the screaming 4-liter eight-cylinder engine in the M3 for a 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder which produces 425hp. Put your foot down and the M4 really does live up the M badge. It’s furiously fast yet easy to live with as a daily commuter car. The automatic transmission may have faster shift ratios but we’d still choose the manual any day.

On the road the M4 feels well composed and is eager to tackle any corner bend you toss at it. The front seats really do help keep you in place and the overall feel of the steering is pretty good, it does however lack the feedback we loved from the previous M3, but this really isn’t much of a deal breaker. Our M4 came equipped with the adaptive M suspension which is a very expensive option helps make the M4 drive the way it should but at this price point why is it optional and not standard?

The minimalistic approach to the cabin makes everything easy to navigate through without any complicated controls or dials. The iDrive interface is much easier to use. The front seats are superbly comfortable and have a neck warmer so you can drive with the top down on brisk spring and fall weather. There is plenty of room for two in the rear seat but as long as the passengers aren’t over six feet tall. The boot space shrinks with the top down and increases with the top up. This is due to the folding metal roof which does eat into precious cargo space.

Wanting to walk away with a decently kitted M4 is going to be a bit of a struggle. Even our tester car came ticked with nearly every option that was offered on its list. Pushing the price sky high, but these M vehicles aren’t just any ordinary vehicle. They are special vehicles and really do put a special kind of feeling inside when you drive them. Plus resale value will hold very well as with all BMW vehicles. The badge is what attracts people to them.

The M4 convertible is more of a cruiser type car. It’s wicked fast and can tackle corners perfectly, but you’ll have to pay for that option. Plus with the options added on this car can get crazily expensive very fast. But for those who crave the BMW badge and won’t settle for anything else this is the perfect car.

Likes: Wicked fast acceleration yet very easy to live with as a daily commuter car. Seats up to four and offers decent boot space with top up.

Dislikes: Add the options and watch the price jump sky high. We miss the hydraulic steering. Turbo six-cylinder doesn’t have the soundtrack of the previous eight-cylinder when revved hard.

We say goodbye to the best Chevy ever

The Chevy SS maybe the best that Chevy has ever released. Here’s why:

The SS came with an insane 6.2-liter eight-cylinder engine which pumped out 415hp. Some may argue that it wasn’t enough or the SS was too pricey for what it was. This engine matched with the SS chassis was the perfect blend of sporting nature and comfort. We finally were able to test drive a sports sedan with a six-speed manual gearbox and well it was probably a winning combo here. We loved how the engine revved smoothly and quickly without it feeling like it was going to get out of control. The lovely snarl from the eight-cylinder engine let everyone around us know that we weren’t just in any Chevy. We also may have frightened a few children when a group of guys asked us to rev the engine.

You’ll love the way the SS feels on the road. It doesn’t feel dull as the exterior looks. The steering feedback is precise and communicative, we felt loads of confidence when we decided it to push it hard through some corners and bends; we managed to get the tail out a little bit. The chassis handled every corner and bend like it were on rails and the fact that the ride comfort is so smooth without being overly firm won us over quickly. We love a firm suspension especially when it is associated with fantastic handling, but some cars (i.e. the Mercedes C-class) have rock hard suspension that is on the borderline of punishing; making it very hard to justify the firm ride on a daily drive.

The interior doesn’t feel all that special when it comes to the touch screen infotainment system and many controls and switches. If you covered the badge on the steering wheel, you’d think you were sitting on one the vast GM Products. We love that GM has taken a step forward with the materials used and overall interior quality, but you can pretty much sit in at least three or five GM products and immediately identify the switchgear and controls without even looking at the badge on the steering wheel. The front seats offer plenty of comfort and support, the driving positing is spot on. The rear seat is plenty roomy and the boot is massive.

There’s only one trim and it’s a well-equipped one at that. Magnetic Ride Control, premium leather-appointed seats, HID headlights, forward collision alert with lane departure warning all come fitted as standard. Side blind zone alert, rear vision camera with cross traffic alert and automatic parking assist is also fitted as standard.

The SS exterior looks don’t really go with what is underneath the hood of the car. It’s the most exciting vehicle you can drive with a price tag that’s well within reason and logic. It’s sad to see this vehicle going away because it is really one heck of a car to drive. Dare we say the best Chevy has ever made in a long time? Yes we dare say it! We loved this sedan.

Likes: The 6.2 eight-cylinder matched with a six-speed manual gearbox is a winning combo. It blends handling and ride comfort effortlessly. The best Chevy we’ve seen in a long time.

Dislikes: Production will end this year for this sedan, it looks rather dull on the outside; while the inside is typical GM.

Devon takes a convertible with JCW turbo for a drive (used)

Mini has always been known for their retro styling and absolutely fun to drive vehicles. Throw the JCW in the mix and you've got a pocket rocket that's got the looks and the go, but with a hefty price tag near $40,000 can the Cooper JCW convertible prove to be a good buy?

Performance: There's only one engine to choose from in the JCW range and that's a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder which produces 208hp. You can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic. Picking between the two is a matter of taste. The turbo engine is swift and pushes the Cooper JCW from 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds. On the highway the Cooper is a hoot to drive and never disappoints, around town the power is well controlled thanks to the readily available torque at low revs.

Ride & Handling: The Cooper JCW is a real driver's car, it will put a smile on your face. The chassis is well balanced and is greeted with nicely-weighted steering. The tradeoff however is the overly firm ride that can be unforgiving on anything but the smoothest of surfaces.

Refinement: The JCW has a well insulated roof and doesn't have much wind or road noise with the roof up. Even with the roof down, there isn't much wind buffeting as in most convertibles. The wind-blocker and dashboard mounted heaters add an extra bit of comfort to the journey, but then again this is a convertible meant to be driven fast so the wind-blocker may not be necessary.

Behind the wheel: There's a low slung feel to the cabin. You'll feel like you're sitting lower than you actually are. This isn't a bad thing due to the fact that this is a sporty car. Drivers won't have a hard time getting comfortable thanks to oodles of adjustments for the driver's seat and steering wheel. Visibility is compromised due to the ragtop, but parking sensors are standard and should take the sting out of that.

Space & Practicality: The front passengers will be able to find comfort with ease, while rear passengers will be confined for space due to the small rear seat, with the roof up it can be almost claustrophobic feeling. The boot is very small as well, but for a car this size and the amount of performance it offers. Most won't really care too much about that.

Equipment: The JCW trim comes well equipped for the money. You get 17-inch alloy wheels, JCW-logoed trims and of course the turbocharged 208hp engine. You'll have to pay extra for keyless start, rain sensing windshield wipers and a few other luxury bits that should be standard considering how much it costs.

Buying & Owning: The JCW is very expensive to buy, but is well worth every cent considering the amount of performance you get and the unique driving experience that is matched with it. Desirability will keep the resale value of the JCW high. Fuel economy is okay so running costs won't be too bad if you keep a light foot on the accelerator pedal.

Quality & Reliability: Some of the controls on the instrumental panel are rather fiddly to operate, but once you get the hang of them. They will become second nature to you. Many of the materials used feel well built and solid. Mini hasn't enjoyed the best reliability record, but in recent years Minis have been improving reliability of their mechanicals.

Safety: Even though the roof has been chopped off, the body structural rigidity has been improved. There are two pop-up hoops behind the rear seats in case of roll over. Front and side airbags are standard as well as stability control. A differential lock is also standard.

The Cooper JCW is a unique convertible. It's wicked fast with excellent grip and handling. You'll surely be greeted with a smile when you drive one. However, with all cars there are its negatives. The Cooper JCW isn't cheap to buy and ofcourse there is the utterly useless rear seats and small boot. If you can ignore these few little bits, the Cooper JCW is a great car and will hold it's value well.

Likes: Addicting turbo engine. Well balanced chassis with sharp steering. Top up or down, the JCW is a hoot to drive.

Dislikes: "Chick car" image, expensive starting price. Options can send the price soaring. Rear seats are utterly useless, some controls are fiddly to use.  

Devon M