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A128tiPetrolvsB530dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs128ti · 530d

BMW 128ti F40 vs BMW 530d xDrive G30: 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 · 2020 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrol

128ti F40

265 hp · 400 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDieselFaster

530d xDrive G30

265 hp · 620 Nm · 1,695 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 128ti F40

6.27 s

Gap0.83 sin favour of 530d xDrive
BBMW 530d xDrive G30

5.44 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure128ti F40530d xDrive G30Gap
0–100 km/h6.27 s5.44 s0.83 s · 530d xDrive G30
400 m standing start14.44 s13.76 s0.68 s · 530d xDrive G30
1,000 m standing start25.87 s25.16 s0.71 s · 530d xDrive G30
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio5.45 kg/hp6.40 kg/hpbetter ratio · 128ti F40

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol128ti F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel530d xDrive G30
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.
Stage128ti F40530d xDrive G30
0–30 km/h1.81 s1.31 s
0–50 km/h3.01 s2.13 s
0–80 km/h4.76 s3.83 s
0–100 km/h6.27 s5.44 s
0–120 km/h8.20 s7.45 s
0–160 km/h13.63 s13.04 s
0–200 km/h22.97 s21.96 s
400 m standing start14.44 s13.76 s
1,000 m standing start25.87 s25.16 s
Top speed limited250 km/h250 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

128ti F40

5,45kg/hpratio better by 0,94 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission
BMW

530d xDrive G30

6,40kg/hpcompensated by −250 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp6 cyl
Torque620 Nm
Weight1 695 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 530d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 5.44 s versus 6.27 s for the 128ti. At this point, the 530d xDrive leads by 0.83 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 530d xDrive is doing 132 km/h against 132 km/h for the 128ti. The gap is 0.69 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 530d xDrive crosses the line in 13.76 s versus 14.44 s. The 0.68 s gap represents roughly 31 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 530d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 184 km/h versus 184 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 530d xDrive finishes in 25.16 s versus 25.86 s, with a 0.71 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 128ti and the 530d xDrive are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.45 kg/hp vs 6.40 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.33 seconds. The 0.83 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.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 530d xDrive G30 wins (5,44 s vs 6,27 s).

128ti F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,27 seconds (calibrated simulation).

128ti F40: 265 hp, ratio 5,45 kg/hp. 530d xDrive G30: 265 hp, ratio 6,40 kg/hp.

128ti F40: 250 km/h. 530d xDrive G30: 250 km/h.