Vehicle Tested
2012 BMW 650i Convertible (4.4L V8 Twin-turbo w/opt 8-spd Automatic)
Driven On
4/24/2012
Ratings Summary
This rating has been carried forward from a prior year because the newer model has no substantial differences.
There's little competition in this high-powered, luxury, drop-top segment, and the BMW 650i convertible offers a good balance of value and performance. Just don't expect the 4-seater to solve every motoring dilemma.
B
Performance
Nobody is buying a 650i convertible to drive it hard. This car will manage on a back road if it has to, but that's not its strength. Rather, it's a top-down cruiser with lots of power and a 6-speed manual is still available.
| Acceleration |
B
|
Although the 650i convertible is not a car known for its outright quickness or speed, this 400-hp cruiser will hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. Nice. |
| Braking |
B
|
Braking is flat and straight with minimal fade during testing. However, on the road none of this matters. Overall, there's good brake feel and solid performance. |
| Steering |
C
|
Response is good but feel and feedback could be much better. Effort changes depending on which dynamic mode is selected. |
| Handling |
B
|
Flat cornering and good grip are balanced against a large, somewhat flexible topless chassis which isn't suited to hard driving. |
| Driveability |
B
|
Easy to drive, quick and comfortable, this is a luxury convertible as they should be. |
B
Comfort
With highly adjustable seats and suspension the 650i is capable of delivering a wide variety of settings to suit the mood of its occupants.
| Seating Comfort |
A
|
Highly adjustable seats will suit a wide range of body types and sizes. Two rear buckets offer support, but not much leg- or shoulder-room. |
| Ride Comfort |
B
|
The 650i's softest suspension setting is very comfortable but is best suited to highway travel. Around town you'll find the large wheels and run-flat tires sometimes jarring. |
| Quietness |
B
|
For a convertible the 650i is a very quiet machine. Interior noise under wide-open-throttle acceleration is on par with many hard tops. |
B
Interior
Overall, the 650i is an extremely high-quality machine. Material and assembly quality are among the best in the business -- as they should be at this price. Yet, there are shortcomings.
| Ergonomics |
B
|
Most controls are easy to use, but given this car's feature count there's some learning involved. Gauges are high contrast and easily readable. |
| Ingress/Egress |
B
|
Front-seat access is easy with a large, wide-opening door, reasonable seat height and little sill. Rear-seat access is difficult at best, especially when the top is up. |
| Space/Room |
B
|
Headroom and legroom are quite good up front in the 4-passenger 650i convertible, but shoulder room is below average. Forget about sitting in the rear seat if you're an adult. |
| Visibility |
C
|
Rear-quarter visibility is not good. Optional suite of cameras, lane-departure and blind-spot monitors, self-park, night vision, and active cruise control supplement shortcomings. |
| Cargo/Storage |
D
|
Don't buy a 650i convertible for cargo or storage space. This car starts life as a large coupe that uses its space inefficiently. As a convertible, it stores a top in its already small trunk. |
| Convertible Top |
B
|
The soft top opens in about 20 seconds and closes in about 25 seconds with the push of a button. Some in this class offer a hard-top convertible. |
B
Value
There's little competition in this segment and what there is cost more than the 650i.
| Build Quality (vs. $) |
B
|
You might pay a lot, but you do get a lot. The 650i convertible is built well and it shows. |
| Features(vs. $) |
B
|
Checking the boxes will quickly push the 650i convertible's cost over $100K, which will put it on par with the more expensive Mercedes-Benz SL550. |
| Cost |
B
|
At just over $90K the 650i convertible is less costly than its primary competition -- the Mercedes-Benz SL550 -- so we rank it highly. |
| MPG |
B
|
When equipped with the no-cost 8-speed automatic, the EPA says the 650i convertible will earn 23 mpg on the highway, which is respectable for this monster. Premium fuel required. |
| Warranty |
B
|
With 4-year/50,000-mile basic and drivetrain warranties, there are few better. |
| Ownership |
A
|
Care-free ownership comes from 4-year/unlimited-mileage roadside assistance plus 4-year/50,000-mile free scheduled maintenance program. |
B
Fun To Drive
This isn't a toss-it-around convertible. It's a cruiser. If cruising in style without a top is your thing, it's hard to do much better.
| Driving Experience |
C
|
There's ample power on tap. Handling is so-so. Overall, the 650i is fun if you keep in mind its size and limits. |
| Personality |
B
|
Numb-yet-responsive steering is the only real dynamic flaw. Otherwise, there's lots of personality to like: Sharp looks, good engine, luxury features and overflowing opulence. |
