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A530dDieselvsB530iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs530d · 530i

BMW 530d G30 vs BMW 530i 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.

grand tourer · 2020 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

530d G30

286 hp · 650 Nm · 1,760 kg · 2020

VS
BMWPetrol

530i G30

252 hp · 350 Nm · 1,625 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 530d G30

5.60 s

Gap0.87 sin favour of 530d
BBMW 530i G30

6.47 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure530d G30530i G30Gap
0–100 km/h5.60 s6.47 s0.87 s · 530d G30
400 m standing start13.90 s14.61 s0.71 s · 530d G30
1,000 m standing start25.29 s26.10 s0.81 s · 530d G30
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio6.15 kg/hp6.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · 530d G30

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel530d G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol530i 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.
Stage530d G30530i G30
0–30 km/h1.38 s1.77 s
0–50 km/h2.25 s2.94 s
0–80 km/h3.98 s4.83 s
0–100 km/h5.60 s6.47 s
0–120 km/h7.64 s8.55 s
0–160 km/h13.26 s14.25 s
0–200 km/h21.99 s23.22 s
400 m standing start13.90 s14.61 s
1,000 m standing start25.29 s26.10 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

530d G30

6,15kg/hpratio better by 0,29 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power286 hp6 cyl
Torque650 Nm
Weight1 760 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

530i G30

6,45kg/hpcompensated by −135 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power252 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 625 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 530d hits 100 km/h in 5.60 s versus 6.47 s for the 530i. At this point, the 530d leads by 0.87 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 530d is doing 132 km/h against 130 km/h for the 530i. The gap is 0.64 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 530d crosses the line in 13.90 s versus 14.61 s. The 0.71 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 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 184 km/h versus 183 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 530d finishes in 25.29 s versus 26.09 s, with a 0.80 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 530d and the 530i 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 (6.15 kg/hp vs 6.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.76 seconds. The 0.87 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 G30 wins (5,60 s vs 6,47 s).

530d G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,60 seconds (calibrated simulation).

530d G30: 286 hp, ratio 6,15 kg/hp. 530i G30: 252 hp, ratio 6,45 kg/hp.

530d G30: 250 km/h. 530i G30: 250 km/h.