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  • Specs128ti · Z4

BMW 128ti F40 vs BMW Z4 sDrive30i G29: 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 2021 · Methodology
BMWPetrol

128ti F40

265 hp · 400 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2020

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

Z4 sDrive30i G29

258 hp · 400 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 128ti F40

6.27 s

Gap0.82 sin favour of Z4 sDrive30i
BBMW Z4 sDrive30i G29

5.45 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure128ti F40Z4 sDrive30i G29Gap
0–100 km/h6.27 s5.45 s0.82 s · Z4 sDrive30i G29
400 m standing start14.44 s13.71 s0.73 s · Z4 sDrive30i G29
1,000 m standing start25.87 s24.82 s1.05 s · Z4 sDrive30i G29
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio5.45 kg/hp5.54 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
BMWPetrolZ4 sDrive30i G29
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 F40Z4 sDrive30i G29
0–30 km/h1.81 s1.46 s
0–50 km/h3.01 s2.42 s
0–80 km/h4.76 s4.03 s
0–100 km/h6.27 s5.45 s
0–120 km/h8.20 s7.26 s
0–160 km/h13.63 s12.26 s
0–200 km/h22.97 s20.34 s
400 m standing start14.44 s13.71 s
1,000 m standing start25.87 s24.82 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 0,09 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission
BMW

Z4 sDrive30i G29

5,54kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Z4 sDrive30i hits 100 km/h in 5.45 s versus 6.27 s for the 128ti. At this point, the Z4 sDrive30i leads by 0.82 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Z4 sDrive30i is doing 136 km/h against 132 km/h for the 128ti. The gap is 0.61 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Z4 sDrive30i crosses the line in 13.70 s versus 14.44 s. The 0.74 s gap represents roughly 33 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Z4 sDrive30i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 189 km/h versus 184 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Z4 sDrive30i finishes in 24.81 s versus 25.86 s, with a 1.05 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 Z4 sDrive30i 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 5.54 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 0.82 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Z4 sDrive30i G29 wins (5,45 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. Z4 sDrive30i G29: 258 hp, ratio 5,54 kg/hp.

128ti F40: 250 km/h. Z4 sDrive30i G29: 250 km/h.