BMW 218i Cabrio: a relaxed drive with the roof down

Take in the view and go for a drive. No set arrival time and no hurry to head off - and for anyone who doesn’t know, in Alentejo slang that simply means “to leave”. That’s the invitation the BMW 218i extends every time you settle in behind the wheel.

With the roof folded away, or with it up to shut out the outside world, the BMW 218i is packed with little details that make you want to go for a gentle cruise. I had rainy days and I had sunny ones, and this Bavarian model was always pleasant company. Sadly, my everyday routes didn’t include jaw-dropping scenery, or coastal roads by the sea…

BMW 218i Cabrio in everyday life

An everyday car?

Most convertibles are aimed at drivers looking for a second car. Even so, advances in roof design mean they’re no longer restricted to weekends of dolce far niente - no, that’s not an Alentejo expression.

These days, you can buy a convertible and use it without any real compromises. Use it and make the most of it…

Unless your weekend plans involve leaving the car parked in a narrow alleyway in Bairro Alto in Lisbon (then you’re on your own…).

The BMW 218i Cabrio is a strong example of that day-to-day versatility. With the roof up, its sound insulation and dynamic composure give very few clues that you’re driving a car of this type. It’s comfortable too, thanks both to the chassis’ competence and the suspension set-up.

Driving the BMW 218i Cabrio: engine, performance and comfort

Forget sporting performance

Under the bonnet of the BMW 218i Cabrio sits a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 136 hp - the same unit you’ll find, for instance, in the MINI range.

It isn’t a sprinter. 207 km/h and 9.4 seconds from 0–100 km/h prove it.

But outright pace isn’t the point of this version - those kinds of sensations are reserved for the BMW M240i Cabrio. Rather than breath-taking performance, the BMW 218i delivers a nicely “rounded” drivetrain, responsive across the rev range and genuinely pleasant to use.

On fuel consumption, expect figures around 7.5 litres/100 km in mixed driving. Just bear in mind that if you decide to squeeze every last drop out of those 136 hp, the bill will rise by more than the performance you’re getting back…

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So my advice is simple: drop the roof and forget the rush to get there. Especially because, while the suspension offers a clear read of the road surface and a solid level of dynamic balance, it’s very clearly biased towards comfort.

On the days I had the chance to drive the BMW 218i Cabrio, that’s exactly what I did: I stopped hurrying. There were days when I arrived later, and others when I left the office earlier. No regrets!

Sometimes it’s good to have a convertible “to hand”, even if it’s just to enjoy the small pleasures of life between work and the drive home.

And those pleasures can be as simple as feeling the wind on your face. Even if, in the case of this particular car, that wind-on-your-face experience costs almost 50,000 euros. And yes, I know… I really do need a holiday!