It's a helluva thing living in Durban in summer - especially at this time of the year. It's either so hot, humid and slimy that you can't drop the top of your convertible because you'll melt into the seats, or it's piddling with rain and you'll get soaked.

So it was for the full week I had the gloriously sexy BMW 135i convertible: a fabulously slinky little car, with those masculine twin tailpipes, that throaty flat six roar from the 3.0 litre motor, and a ragtop that was dying to be dropped.

Beach babes

Price: From R482 500 To R518 400 Article Options Email to Friend Print Article Remove from Favorites Add to Favorites Remove from 'Articles to Read' Add to 'Articles to Read'

The kids couldn't wait for a sunny day so they could swan down to the beach in the open topped car looking like a pair of Paris Hiltons with their Barbie pink sunglasses and the wind in their hair.

Apart from the inclement weather, we hadn't factored in that Murphy oke either. The day before the car was due to be returned we had sun - so with great expectations they tucked the pony tails into caps, perched the shades on their tiny noses, and I pushed the button to fold back the top. Nothing.

The appropriate dashboard light came on but nothing happened. We tried and tried again, but either we were doing something wrong - and feverishly scanning through the manual shed no light on the subject - or there was a fault. Either way, disappointment ruled and we had to return the car without knowing what it was like to ride topless. And to test the 22-second opening/closing time.

Two doors? We'll live with it!

That disappointment aside, we loved the handling of the 135i, weren't terribly fazed by the two doors - because it's so gorgeous looking - and never got tired of hearing the beautiful dulcet tone of the motor.

The award-winning twin turbo 225kW engine in the BMW 135i is unique in its class: two small turbochargers work in parallel, ensuring the extra injection pressure reaches the engine almost instantly for a smoother power curve. Top speed is 225km/h. The material and build quality on the BMW 135i is really superb.

Visual affects

We were irritated, however, by a minor demisting problem: the left side of the front windscreen was almost perpetually fogged - no amount of ventilation or demisting would sort it out. It bothered the heck out of my co-driver daughter more than it bothered me, though!

Also, with the top down, rear vision was hampered, despite the assistance from the side mirrors. But this seems to be the case generally with convertibles. And anyway - this car is made to be driven topless.

The pull of the BMW 135i

Inside, you've got a push button start, slinky leather upholstery, and an immaculately designed cabin. Driving the 135i makes you feel like a million bucks, because it looks so damn good, feels so good, and sounds so good. 
A real treat on the open road with that instant response to the accelerator and exquisite stopping power.

Costing around the half-a-million rand mark, the BMW 135i convertible is not cheap. But for about R344 500 you can opt for the less powerful 120i. Looks the same, just won't be as quick (but will have better fuel consumption.)

Price: R482 500 (manual) - R518 400 (steptronic)

Also look at:

• Mazda MX-5 (sporty and great fun), from R337 500
• BMW Z4 (striking and going to be a classic), from R468 500
• Mercedes-Benz SLK (perennial good guy), from R526 000