BMW 430i drives like a proper Beemer – it’s low, fast, and precise but don’t get taken in by all the extras on the options list

THERE are many ways to define Britishness.

Our fondness for queueing. Saying sorry when it is not our fault. Discussing the weather. Our love for convertibles.

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I could go on and on but let’s concentrate on the last two.

Britain averages 3.1 days of summer every year and yet we’re No1 for soft-top sales in Europe.

We love them.

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The Mini convertible is our favourite, followed by the rather lovely BMW 4 Series convertible you see here. Just look at it.

Drop head, drop-dead gorgeous.

Now, did I mention the weather in Munich the other day? It was barmy. We got caught in a blizzard.

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But I still drove roof down – because I’m British and stupid – with all the heated blankets on.

Now the interior of a dry 4 Series is lush. Of course it is. It’s a Beemer. But not quite as good as a Merc. Sorry, BMW.

It drives like a proper Beemer too. Low, fast, rear drive, precise, little body roll.

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But there is one rule to buying a BMW I must share with you.

Avoid the toys on the options list, of which there are many, and spend all your cash on the biggest engine.

The 420i (180hp) and 430i (252hp) are clean and efficient 2-litre, four-cylinder petrols and will do perfectly fine. But the 440i? Now that’s a cracker.

BMW doesn’t make life easy when it comes to badges but the 440i is a 3-litre, turbocharged straight-six, banging out a meaty 326hp.

It does 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds, sounds ace and the standard eight-shift auto is short-shift heaven. I say you can’t beat a six-cylinder lump for balance – it’s streets ahead of everything else and screams: “I was made just for you.”

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Next up the food chain is the M4. The 420i convertible starts at £37k, the 430i is £41k and the 440i is £48k.

BMW sell 12 a day in the UK.

Rob a bank and join the queue.