Skip to main content
CaralogyCaralogy
HomeBrandsRoad TripBudgetDuelGuides
Caralogy

The car comparison platform. Physics simulation, road trips, real costs.

Navigation
All brandsCar duelRunning costsMotorwayMethodology
Simulators
Motorway simulatorRunning costsPerformance duel
Brands
VolkswagenBMWMercedesToyotaTeslaAudi
FRENDEESIT
© 2026 Caralogy · All rights reserved
  1. Home
  2. /Duel
  3. /Sports Cars
A430iPetrolvsB125dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs430i · 125d

BMW 430i Convertible G22 vs BMW 125d F20LCI: 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.

saloon · 2021 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

430i Convertible G22

258 hp · 400 Nm · 1,715 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

125d F20LCI

224 hp · 450 Nm · 1,480 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 430i Convertible G22

6.24 s

Gap0.24 sin favour of 430i Convertible
BBMW 125d F20LCI

6.48 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure430i Convertible G22125d F20LCIGap
0–100 km/h6.24 s6.48 s0.24 s · 430i Convertible G22
400 m standing start14.45 s14.68 s0.23 s · 430i Convertible G22
1,000 m standing start26.31 s26.40 s0.09 s · 430i Convertible G22
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h240 km/h10 km/h · 430i Convertible G22
Power-to-weight ratio6.65 kg/hp6.61 kg/hpbetter ratio · 125d F20LCI

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol430i Convertible G22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel125d F20LCI
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.
Stage430i Convertible G22125d F20LCI
0–30 km/h1.46 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h2.44 s3.03 s
0–80 km/h4.41 s4.83 s
0–100 km/h6.24 s6.48 s
0–120 km/h8.52 s · tight gap8.57 s
0–160 km/h14.93 s14.58 s
0–200 km/h25.55 s25.23 s
400 m standing start14.45 s14.68 s
1,000 m standing start26.31 s · tight gap26.40 s
Top speed limited250 km/h240 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

430i Convertible G22

6,65kg/hpcompensated by −235 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 715 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

125d F20LCI

6,61kg/hpratio better by 0,04 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power224 hp4 cyl
Torque450 Nm
Weight1 480 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 430i Convertible hits 100 km/h in 6.24 s versus 6.48 s for the 125d. At this point, the 430i Convertible leads by 0.24 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 430i Convertible is doing 127 km/h against 130 km/h for the 125d. The gap is 0.33 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 430i Convertible crosses the line in 14.45 s versus 14.67 s. The 0.22 s gap represents roughly 10 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The 125d maxes out at 240 km/h while the 430i Convertible keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.15 s.

At 1,000 metres, the 430i Convertible finishes in 26.31 s versus 26.39 s, with just 0.09 s to spare. The 125d fails to fully close the launch gap.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 430i Convertible is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 125d at 240 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 (6.65 kg/hp vs 6.61 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.87 seconds. The 0.24 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSVolvo

430i Convertible vs S60 T5 Geartronic

BMWVSAudi

125d vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

430i Convertible vs A4 45 TFSI quattro

BMWVSAudi

125d vs A3 Sportback

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 430i Convertible G22 wins (6,24 s vs 6,48 s).

430i Convertible G22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,24 seconds (calibrated simulation).

430i Convertible G22: 258 hp, ratio 6,65 kg/hp. 125d F20LCI: 224 hp, ratio 6,61 kg/hp.

430i Convertible G22: 250 km/h. 125d F20LCI: 240 km/h.