Fire up the... BMW 640i Cabriolet

IT'S probably better to think of this, one of BMW's biggest offerings, as not really being a car in the conventional sense at all.

The problem with testing plush cabriolets that aren't trying to be sports cars is that people only end up interested in one of its many impressive figures; the price.

So let's get it out of the way so you don't have to read right to the end before you
discover you can't afford it. It's £65,695.

That makes the 640Ci Cabriolet not only significantly more expensive than, say, a similarly-specced 5 Series salooon, but also £15k pricier than the Infiniti cabriolet Life On Cars will be testing in the next few weeks. Thinking about it logically in a recession-ravaged world, this Bavarian bruiser makes no sense at all.

But, believe it or not, there are plenty of people in the north west with the funds to spend their sunny afternoons cruising along the Southport Riviera, so to get into the 6-Series mindset you have to think of it as being like a land-going motor yacht.

It was also - until Infiniti's G37 arrived on these shores - just about the only luxury car which could four fully-sized adults in al fresco comfort, so it's definitely got an appeal if you're a (rich) family man. The question is whether it's worth the premium to have the blue and white propellor badge on your bonnet.

The BMW's unusual now among open tops in that its roof's still made from old fashioned canvas rather than folding metal panels, but don't let that put you off because it's one of the slickest in the business, folding away faster than the Infiniti's hard top and taking up less of the boot space. It's only at very high speeds you'll notice the difference.

From behind the wheel the BMW's a creamy, luxurious affair, cruising effortlessly, although I found the Japanese upstart slightly sharper and more fun to drive. Both though, are aimed more at offering comfort in spades both in the front and rear, and it's in the sumptuousness and space of the interior where the Beemer really excels.

The other ace up the BMW's sleeve, of course, is its depreciation; because unlike the Infiniti it's a long-established brand in the UK with plenty of cachet and street cred. That means more people are likely to want a secondhand BMW, and means you're more likely to see more of your money back when you come to sell it.

If you go for the Infiniti you'll be far from dissapointed - and £15,000 better off - but if money really isn't any object this BMW's going to prove hard to beat.