On public roads, there is only so much one can do to test a performance car. You can probably get a taste of the acceleration on offer. You can tell if the engine is refined. And if you are fortunate, you may stumble upon a few sets of corners to gauge the handling. But public roads are just that, public roads. Traffic, road conditions, and, most importantly, common sense tend to hold one back. So what is one to do if they want to test a car like the BMW M440i? 

That is where Urban Racer, Gurugram comes in. For me, it provided the perfect place to not only test the BMW M440i and see what it can do, but also compare it against our own BMW M340i. Both cars share the B58 straight-six engine, both feature xDrive all-wheel drive, and both are immensely capable. Yet, the experience they offer cannot be more different. 

So, what is the first thing about the M440i that stands out? Well, it is the fact that you are driving with the roof down. Yep, it is a convertible. If the weather is conducive, the open-top experience completely transforms the way you engage with the car. Everything feels more dramatic: every acceleration, every change in direction, and, of course, the soundtrack of BMW’s turbocharged straight-six. In that regard, the BMW M440i offers a very distinct experience. 

The problem, however, is the fact that ideal open-top weather is not something we get to enjoy often. Dust, pollution, and extreme temperatures: we have got it all, and it can significantly limit the number of times you can actually enjoy the open-top driving experience. And that experience is one of the biggest selling points of the M440i. In European countries, it makes perfect sense. In India, those perfect driving days are relatively few and far between.

Now, since both my M340i and the M440i share essentially the same engine, comparisons between the two are unavoidable. The BMW M440i carries around 150 kilos more than the M340i, but still, both cars are very quick, and the xDrive system ensures awe-inspiring acceleration and incredible traction out of the corners. 

The karting track at Urban Racer may not have been designed for cars of this size, but it still had enough for me to realise just how composed both of these cars are. The grip is astounding. They simply grip, rotate, and shoot out of the corners like bats out of hell. The xDrive system works so well that it can deceive one into thinking they are better drivers than they actually are. 

A premier destination in Gurugram, Urban Racer is the place to be if speed equals adrenaline for you, thanks to its 750m technical circuit and fine-tuned machines.

After the karting track, I took both the cars for a spin, a literal one. Urban Racer has a dedicated spot for drifting, and the temptation to go sideways in cars like these is overpowering. Predictably, this is where the xDrive system gets in your way a little. It is significantly harder to drift all-wheel-drive cars. 

The M4 Competition offers a dedicated RWD mode, but the M440i makes that a little trickier. It takes a bit of effort, additional software and a bit of patience to disable the xDrive system and explore the playful side of these cars. And if you are interested, the software is called xDelete. 

Also, if you are thinking about why I compared it to the M4C all of a sudden, just look at the M440i. The oversized kidney grille continues to divide opinion. While people have sort of come around to it on the M4C, with the M440i, it is still a little difficult to digest. But maybe we’ll all come around to it on this one as well…. Maybe. 

Coming back to the two cars on hand, despite the slight inconvenience of the always-on xDrive system in drifting, the fact that the B58 is one of BMW’s finest modern engines remains uncontested. Whether you’re driving the M340i or the M440i, it is difficult not to admire the smoothness, performance and flexibility of the straight-six. 

Another thing I would like to point out here is that these kinds of engines require care. The high-performance nature puts enormous pressure on the mechanical components, especially in hot conditions. That makes the use of a good engine oil paramount. I trust Castrol EDGE in this matter. My M340i has run on this engine oil practically since I got it, and it has toured India on RTUs twice now. So, Castrol EDGE is something I can vouch for with confidence. 

Ever since we inducted the BMW M340i in the xBhp Garage, it has run on Castrol EDGE. Whether it is the mundane travels in the city or a 7,000 km roadtrip around India, or whether it is a day at a racetrack or a smokin’ day at a drift pad, Castrol EDGE has handled it all. We are in love with the ~400 bhp turbocharged straight-six of our M340i, and therefore, it deserves the best in terms of engine oil… it deserves Castrol EDGE.

Back to the M440i. What do I have to say about it, and what would I choose? Well, emotionally speaking, the convertible has undeniable appeal. But I would still go for the M340i. It is one of the greatest sleepers in the class. Understated, yet brutally quick. More than anything, it is simply more practical, especially in India. So yeah, despite the fact that I loved the M440i, the M340i is something I’d choose over it. 

Another difficult bit for the M440i is the shoes it has to fill. The Z4 has been discontinued, and in this segment, the M440i is BMW’s only convertible offering. Yet, seeing the M440i as a replacement for the Z4 is a hard pill to swallow. The Z4 was purer, a proper two-seat, open-top roadster. Yes, the M440i is more practical compared to the Z4, but the Z4 had character for days! 

Don’t get me wrong. The M440i is a fantastic car. If you want a car that turns heads, delivers an open-top driving experience, and offers genuine BMW M Performance credentials, the M440i Convertible makes a compelling case. But if offered a choice between the two, I would go for the M340i. It has a better balance of performance, practicality and value. Also, the money saved could easily fund useful modifications while still leaving you with one of the finest all-round performance sedans BMW has ever built.

What if drifting is your primary objective? Ditch both and go straight for the M2. 

As for Urban Racer, venues like this remind you why controlled environments are so important. They allow one to experience cars like these safely, develop their driving skills and explore capabilities that simply aren’t possible on public roads. Whether you’re arriving in a convertible, a sports sedan or simply to enjoy a few laps in a go-kart, it’s the kind of place that leaves you wanting just one more run. And with cars like these, that’s probably the biggest compliment of all.