BMW 120d xDrive F40 vs MINI Cooper SE FWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 120d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 7.13 s versus 7.32 s for the Cooper SE FWD. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 120d xDrive leads by 0.19 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 120d xDrive is doing 119 km/h against 124 km/h for the Cooper SE FWD. The gap is 0.44 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120d xDrive crosses the line in 15.21 s versus 15.46 s. The 0.25 s gap represents roughly 11 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the 120d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 164 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120d xDrive finishes in 27.99 s versus 29.86 s, with a 1.86 s lead.

The 120d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Cooper SE FWD’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120d xDrive is capped at 230 km/h, the Cooper SE FWD at 150 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.69 seconds. The 0.19 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.