BMW 2 Series Convertible vs Audi A3 Cabriolet - pictures

The BMW 2 Series Convertible has arrived just in time for summer, and to take the fight to our reigning Convertible of the Year - the Audi A3 Cabriolet. 

We test the 2 Series in 220d Sport spec, powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine producing 187bhp. In standard spec, this car costs £30,560, but our test car was fitted with options taking the price up to a steep £40,930. 

Performance is strong in the 2 Series, plus there's plenty of grip through the corners. As expected, it's not quite as composed as the 2 Series Coupe when the road gets a bit twisty. 

The cabin is lifted straight from the 1 Series hatch, so there's plenty of tech on offer and a quality feel to the materials. We found the driving position felt too high though, even on the seat's lowest setting. 

The 2 Series is a strict four-seater and rear legroom is fairly limited, but each rear passenger gets a cupholder to make up for it. As expected, the wind deflector can't be used four-up, so it can get a bit windy when travelling with

With the roof up, the 2 Series' boot weighs in at 335 litres, but this is reduced by 55 litres when the roof is stowed. When the roof is down, the boot is an awkward shape with a narrow opening, too. 

You can't customise the 2 Series in the same way you can with a modern supermini, but there are different roof colours to choose from, as well as gloss-black inserts that add a nice contrast to the bodywork. 

The 2 Series is much more elegant than the 1 Series it replaces and, as a result, looks great with the roof up or down. 

The roof lowers in 20 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 30mph. 

Rev the engine hard and the diesel grumble does filter through to the cabin, but in normal driving the 2 Series is quiet and refined. 

Sat nav screen is wide, clear and easy to use through BMW's iDrive controller. 

The BMW is showing its age compared to the A3 Cabriolet, with a lot more buttons scattered around the dash. 

In-gear performance beat's the Audi's thanks to the 220d's power advantage. 

iDrive controller makes using the BMW's fantastic infotainment system a cinch to use. 

The 2 Series fidgets and wobbles slightly in the transition to becoming a convertible, but it's composed on super-smooth roads. 

The BMW's steering is light - even in Sport setting - but it's not devoid of feel so you can gauge what the car is doing. 

Both cars in this test have roofs that can be operated at speeds of up to 30mph, but the Audi's is slightly faster to complete the action. 

The Audi A3 Cabriolet is currently our favourite convertible on the market, and here we test the 2.0 TDI Sport model producing 148bhp. It's fitted with Audi's six-speed S tronic gearbox and weighs in at £38,685 as tested. 

The A3 feels much more rigid on the road than the BMW, as well as more comfortable and composed. Despite the soft-top, it actually feels very similar to the A3 saloon on which it is based. 

The minimalist facia inside, plus cool details like the turbine-style air vents give a more modern feel. 

The A3 is a better option than the 2 Series if practicality is a concern of yours. Adults will still find the rear of the A3 cramped, but there's more space on offer than in the BMW.

The boot is slightly smaller than the 2 Series', but the wider opening makes loading larger items easier and the standard folding rear seats means you can carry longer items if you need to. 

To these eyes, the A3 Cabriolet looks better with the roof up or down than the BMW thanks to sharp lines and elegant styling. 

The new A3 Cabriolet looks much more stylish than the car it has replaced, too, due to being based on the larger A3 saloon. 

The engine in the A3 is much more refined than the unit in the BMW, but it couldn't quite match the BMW for in-gear acceleration. 

Slick infotainment screen rises out of the dash in the A3 and contributes to an upmarket feel in the cabin. 

Our test car had a clever function that memorised our climate control settings for when we had the roof up and down. It's yet another nice touch that makes the A3 a vast improvement over its predecessor, but also puts it at the top of

Despite being down on power, the A3's 0-60mph time in our tests was impressive, helped by its smooth and quick-changing dual-clutch gearbox. 

All of Audi's infotainment system is controlled by neat MMI controller located between the front seats.

The well controlled ride was enhanced by Drive Select fitted to our car; Dynamic mode sharpens up steering and throttle response. 

It's not all about straight-line performance in a convertible. While the A3 was slower than the BMW in this test, the Audi has the BMW beaten when it comes to handling.