Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD vs BMW 530i xDrive G30: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 5.72 s versus 6.29 s for the Bmw 530i xDrive. The instant torque of 446 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range RWD leads by 0.57 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range RWD is doing 131 km/h against 127 km/h for the Bmw 530i xDrive. The gap is 0.24 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range RWD crosses the line in 14.16 s versus 14.48 s. The 0.32 s gap represents roughly 14 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Model 3 Long Range RWD maxes out at 224 km/h while the Bmw 530i xDrive keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.28 s.

At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Long Range RWD finishes in 26.28 s versus 26.29 s, with just 0.01 s to spare. The Bmw 530i xDrive fails to fully close the launch gap.

The Bmw 530i xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Model 3 Long Range RWD’s RWD. 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.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model 3 Long Range RWD is capped at 225 km/h, the Bmw 530i xDrive at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 9.91 seconds. The 0.57 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.