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A120dDieselvsB218iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs120d · 218i

BMW 120d F20LCI vs BMW 218i Convertible F44: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2018 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

120d F20LCI

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,415 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrol

218i Convertible F44

136 hp · 220 Nm · 1,560 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 120d F20LCI

7.15 s

Gap2.42 sin favour of 120d
BBMW 218i Convertible F44

9.57 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure120d F20LCI218i Convertible F44Gap
0–100 km/h7.15 s9.57 s2.42 s · 120d F20LCI
400 m standing start15.30 s17.02 s1.72 s · 120d F20LCI
1,000 m standing start27.54 s30.99 s3.45 s · 120d F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)228 km/h207 km/h21 km/h · 120d F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio7.45 kg/hp11.47 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120d F20LCI

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWDiesel120d F20LCI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol218i Convertible F44
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage120d F20LCI218i Convertible F44
0–30 km/h2.05 s · tight gap2.15 s
0–50 km/h3.27 s3.59 s
0–80 km/h5.29 s6.61 s
0–100 km/h7.15 s9.57 s
0–120 km/h9.55 s13.48 s
0–160 km/h16.63 s25.81 s
0–200 km/h30.38 s57.53 s
400 m standing start15.30 s17.02 s
1,000 m standing start27.54 s30.99 s
Top speed228 km/h207 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

120d F20LCI

7,45kg/hpratio better by 4,02 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 415 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
BMW

218i Convertible F44

11,47kg/hpcompensated by −145 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power136 hp4 cyl
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 560 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.15 s versus 9.57 s for the 218i Convertible. At this point, the 120d leads by 2.42 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120d is doing 124 km/h against 109 km/h for the 218i Convertible. The gap is 0.96 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120d crosses the line in 15.30 s versus 17.01 s. The 1.71 s gap represents roughly 62 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120d finishes in 27.53 s versus 30.99 s, with a 3.46 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120d is capped at 228 km/h, the 218i Convertible at 207 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (7.45 kg/hp vs 11.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.88 seconds. The 2.42 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of 120d F20LCI
Audi A3 allstreetAudi A3 allstreetAudi A3 allstreet

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A3 allstreet vs 218i Convertible

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F20LCI wins (7,15 s vs 9,57 s).

120d F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,15 seconds (calibrated simulation).

120d F20LCI: 190 hp, ratio 7,45 kg/hp. 218i Convertible F44: 136 hp, ratio 11,47 kg/hp.

120d F20LCI: 228 km/h. 218i Convertible F44: 207 km/h.