BMW 530i xDrive G30 vs MINI John Cooper Works FWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 530i xDrive hits 100 km/h in 6.19 s versus 6.21 s for the John Cooper Works FWD. The 0.02 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the 530i xDrive is doing 128 km/h against 137 km/h for the John Cooper Works FWD. The gap is 0.21 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the John Cooper Works FWD crosses the line in 14.26 s versus 14.40 s. The 0.14 s gap represents roughly 6 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the John Cooper Works FWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 178 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the John Cooper Works FWD finishes in 25.29 s versus 26.19 s, with a 0.90 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 251 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

The 530i xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the John Cooper Works FWD’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 530i xDrive never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.75 kg/hp vs 5.09 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.72 seconds. The 0.02 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.