Convertible clash

Does Jag F-type or BMW M4 drop-top make a better used buy?

£80 fill-up Jaguar F-type S Convertible Years: 2013 to date Engine: 3.0-litre V6, 375bhp Ins grp: 50 Official econ/co2: 32.9mpg/203g/km Why? The Jaguar’s talent to entertain means you soon forget about its poor practicality. It’s pure driving fun. Prices from: £39,200

THE Jaguar F-type Convertible guarantees a thrilling driving experience, whichever model you choose. It’s also one of the most stunning open-top sports cars on the market today.

Combine those two attributes and it explains the F-type’s great success, as it satisfies the demands of driving enthusiasts and styleconscious buyers in one terrific package.

We think the V6 S is the pick of the lineup: it’s almost as fast as the flagship V8 R on typical UK roads, yet handles just a little better thanks to its lighter, more compact engine.

With the 3.0-litre engine hooked up to an automatic gearbox, the F-type S will cover 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, and hit a 171mph top speed. Impressively for a convertible, there’s very little twisting or vibration through the body, and control in corners is excellent. It all adds up to a very involving and agile car.

The F-type didn’t feature in our latest Driver Power satisfaction survey, but was 34th in 2015, with buyers rating performance really highly.

BMW M4 Convertible DCT Years: 2014 to date Engine: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 425bhp Ins grp: 45 Official econ/co2: 32.5mpg/203g/km Why? It’s a great-performing four-seat convertible, but the M4 lacks the crucial feelgood factor of the F-type. Prices from: £43,900

POWERING the M4 Convertible is the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine as you’ll find in BMW’S M4 Coupé. This serves up a breathtaking 425bhp and takes the car from 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds.

With the folding hard-top in place, the M4 Convertible doesn’t quite have the same flowing roofline as the M4 Coupé due to its longer bootlid and the smaller rear window, but it’s still handsome. The handling is also lacking some of the sharpness you get in the hard-top M4 – there’s more body roll, and the car can get unsettled over big crests. Even so, you can feel the ‘M’ DNA from behind the wheel, and you’d still have to say this car is the besthandling four-seater cabriolet money can buy.

There’s masses of grip and the balanced chassis adds to the fun. Different drive modes allow you to transform the M4 from a sports car into something you can use every day. Plus, the regular 4 Series on which the M4 is based ranked an impressive 15th in Driver Power 2016.