Push a button on the 2007 BMW 335i Cabriolet’s centre console and the first of the car’s three-panel metal hat routinely unlatches itself from the front windshield header. Remain pushing, and the apparatus continues to swiftly arc back, folding like a neatly stacked deck of cards.

What was once a hardtop canopy for four occupants is now a dense pile of metal, plastic and glass folded into illogically compressed proportions. The whole apparatus then parks itself into the BMW’s trunk, taking all of twenty-two whirring, purring seconds to accomplish this engineering feat.

It’s actually more rewarding to witness the $72,195 as-tested 335i Cabriolet’s top in motion from outside the car.

The performance is like a freakish Cirque du Soleil contortionist act, but right there in your laneway. If you have an audience, they’ll “oooh” and “ahhh” and undoubtedly ask for an encore.

Last year’s open-air BMW 3 Series was based on the previous generation model with a traditional, powered cloth convertible top. Its three cozy layers kept occupants protected from the elements well enough year-round that the optional single-piece, detachable hardtop roof seemed superfluous.

But like other retractable-hardtops from Chrysler, Lexus, Pontiac, Volvo, Volkswagen—and the company that kick started this recent trend, Mercedes-Benz—BMW’s new folding metal roof brings some palpable, practical advantages over the previous ragtop version.

Protection from curious crooks is one benefit. To this, BWM has also added coupé-like quietness and visibility in its 335i Cab’s new solid roof design.

To accommodate all of the required folding hardware, some of these newer contorting convertibles have had their coupé/convertible’s looks altered like a bad haircut.

Not so much with the BMW.

BMW’s stylists have done a reasonable job retaining the existing 3 Series Coupé’s svelte rear pillar profile. Except for the extra cut lines where the roof meets the trunk lid, when the top’s erect, most passersby would never think this 335i is able to flip its lid.

Even at highway speeds, top down, air neatly passes overhead with little turbulence entering the BMW’s cabin. Combined with the windows up, the $795 wind blocker—that effectively makes the Cab into a two-seater from four—helps measurably in safeguarding expensive hair-dos.

All this is to say: BMW seems to have their ducks-in-a-row with its first attempt at a retractable-hardtop. However, the car the 335i Cabriolet is based upon, the $51,600 335i Coupé—with its balanced chassis, strong engine and perceptive steering—is considered by some to be one of the finer driving cars out there, regardless of price.

By eschewing the lighter cloth versions that the previous three generations of BMW 3 Series Cabriolets wore, has the German automaker compromised the 335i’s well-documented athletic attributes?

If you can afford the extra $10,000, it’s highly recommended to pop for the 335i Cabriolet rather than the entry model 230 hp 328i Cabriolet.

Like in the Coupé—and the sedan, for that matter—the 335i’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged version of the 328i’s inline-six-cylinder engine is rated at 300 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque. Powerful, smooth, silky, velvety, linear—pick your favourite adjective—this world-class mill will have one sending thank you notes to the engine wizards back in Bavaria.

Needless to say, by carrying an extra 170 kg in curb weight, the 335i Cab asks more from under the hood than the 335i Coupé. It adds 0.2 seconds to the 0-100 km/h run, now standing at 5.8 when equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission as per my tester.

(Bottom line: If you’re looking for the flat out best performing 335i, get the Coupé. Or save your loonies for the new 420 hp V8 M3 Coupé coming next spring.)

Some of that extra weight can be attributed to the hardware for the roof. Some to the added structure needed to support BMW’s claim that this year’s drop top is 50 per cent more rigid than last year’s model.

On public roads, there are seemingly no obvious compromises in the driving experience by going topless in a 335i.

There’s no quivering to interrupt the 335i’s properly weighted and tactile steering. No shaking to upset the car’s seat-of-your-pants telepathy. And the sturdy chassis allows enjoyment of the wonderfully supportive seats and more buttoned down suspension that is part of the $2,500 Sport Package. (My car was also upgraded with a $1,500 19-inch wheel and tire package.)

If anything, the Cabriolet’s additionally complaint suspension settings deliver a more comfortable ride then the Coupé.

After a few laps at a local road course, one can really feel the handling difference as to whether the top is up or down.

Top down, BMW’s claims the weight bias shifts front to back from 46.1/53.9 top up, to 44.5/55.5 per cent. The centre of gravity also lowers and the extra weight in the rear keeps the back end planted in corners.

Open convertible, or closed coupé, in the BMW 335i Cabriolet, it doesn’t really matter. It’s easily the driver’s choice over rival glam cabs like the $83,100 Audi S4 Cabriolet or $91,400 Mercedes-Benz CLK 550.

Now, if all you’re looking for in your retractable-hardtop convertible is entertainment value for your neighbours, the new Chrysler Sebring will just as easily satiate your exhibitionist needs at half the 335i Cabriolet’s base price of $66,300.

But if you’re one of those “have-it-all” types, get the 335i Cabriolet. You’ll own the best driving four seat convertible for your money.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher


2007 BMW 335i Cabriolet 6M
Price: base/as tested $66,300/$72,195
Federal rebate/penalty: No
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbocharged six-cylinder gasoline
Power/torque: 300 hp/300 lb.-ft.
Fuel consumption: (L/100 km) city 12.5, hwy 7.6, as tested 11.8
Competition: Competition Audi S4, Mercedes-Benz CLK 500
What's best: Manual transmission, sport seats, engine, ride and handling.
What's worst: Extra weight.
What's interesting: Equally as quick from 0 to 100 km/h as a $111,500 BMW 650i Cabriolet