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AM4vsB218iPetrol
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  • SpecsM4 · 218i

BMW M4 G82 vs BMW 218i Convertible F22: 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 · 2024 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

M4 G82

480 hp · 550 Nm · 1,700 kg · 2024

VS
BMWPetrol

218i Convertible F22

136 hp · 220 Nm · 1,500 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M4 G82

4.19 s

Gap5.26 sin favour of M4
BBMW 218i Convertible F22

9.45 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM4 G82218i Convertible F22Gap
0–100 km/h4.19 s9.45 s5.26 s · M4 G82
400 m standing start12.23 s16.81 s4.58 s · M4 G82
1,000 m standing start21.86 s31.02 s9.16 s · M4 G82
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h207 km/h43 km/h · M4 G82
Power-to-weight ratio3.54 kg/hp11.03 kg/hpbetter ratio · M4 G82

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM4 G82
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol218i Convertible F22
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.
StageM4 G82218i Convertible F22
0–30 km/h1.22 s1.53 s
0–50 km/h2.04 s3.05 s
0–80 km/h3.31 s6.46 s
0–100 km/h4.19 s9.45 s
0–120 km/h5.52 s13.93 s
0–160 km/h8.63 s27.12 s
0–200 km/h13.02 s61.53 s
400 m standing start12.23 s16.81 s
1,000 m standing start21.86 s31.02 s
Top speed limited250 km/h207 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

M4 G82

3,54kg/hpratio better by 7,49 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power480 hp6 cyl
Torque550 Nm
Weight1 700 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual
BMW

218i Convertible F22

11,03kg/hpcompensated by −200 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power136 hp3 cyl
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 500 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M4 hits 100 km/h in 4.19 s versus 9.45 s for the 218i Convertible. At this point, the M4 leads by 5.26 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M4 is doing 155 km/h against 107 km/h for the 218i Convertible. The gap is 2.66 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M4 crosses the line in 12.23 s versus 16.81 s. The 4.58 s gap represents roughly 156 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M4 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 219 km/h versus 148 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M4 finishes in 21.86 s versus 31.02 s, with a 9.16 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the M4 is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 218i Convertible at 207 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 (3.54 kg/hp vs 11.03 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.40 seconds. The 5.26 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, M4 G82 wins (4,19 s vs 9,45 s).

M4 G82 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,19 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M4 G82: 480 hp, ratio 3,54 kg/hp. 218i Convertible F22: 136 hp, ratio 11,03 kg/hp.

M4 G82: 250 km/h. 218i Convertible F22: 207 km/h.