BMW 128ti F40 vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 5.72 s versus 6.22 s for the Bmw 128ti. The instant torque of 446 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range RWD leads by 0.50 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range RWD is doing 131 km/h against 136 km/h for the Bmw 128ti. The gap is 0.42 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range RWD crosses the line in 14.16 s versus 14.31 s. The 0.15 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Model 3 Long Range RWD maxes out at 224 km/h while the Bmw 128ti keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.18 s.

Around 492 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 128ti overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 26 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 128ti finishes in 25.37 s versus 26.28 s. The 0.91 s delta in favour of the Bmw 128ti shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 128ti is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Model 3 Long Range RWD at 225 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 9.03 seconds. The 0.50 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.