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AM550dDieselvsB118iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsM550d · 118i

BMW M550d xDrive G30 vs BMW 118i F40: 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 · 2018 vs 2019 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

M550d xDrive G30

400 hp · 760 Nm · 1,845 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrol

118i F40

140 hp · 220 Nm · 1,290 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M550d xDrive G30

4.46 s

Gap4.14 sin favour of M550d xDrive
BBMW 118i F40

8.60 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM550d xDrive G30118i F40Gap
0–100 km/h4.46 s8.60 s4.14 s · M550d xDrive G30
400 m standing start12.66 s16.38 s3.72 s · M550d xDrive G30
1,000 m standing start22.92 s29.71 s6.79 s · M550d xDrive G30
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h213 km/h37 km/h · M550d xDrive G30
Power-to-weight ratio4.61 kg/hp9.21 kg/hpbetter ratio · M550d xDrive G30

Watch the race

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

BMWDieselM550d xDrive G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol118i F40
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.
StageM550d xDrive G30118i F40
0–30 km/h1.24 s2.09 s
0–50 km/h2.01 s3.49 s
0–80 km/h3.29 s6.10 s
0–100 km/h4.46 s8.60 s
0–120 km/h5.90 s11.81 s
0–160 km/h9.81 s21.90 s
0–200 km/h15.59 s47.56 s
400 m standing start12.66 s16.38 s
1,000 m standing start22.92 s29.71 s
Top speed limited250 km/h213 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

M550d xDrive G30

4,61kg/hpratio better by 4,60 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power400 hp6 cyl
Torque760 Nm
Weight1 845 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

118i F40

9,21kg/hpcompensated by −555 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power140 hpPending
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 290 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M550d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.46 s versus 8.60 s for the 118i. At this point, the M550d xDrive leads by 4.14 s and sits roughly 27 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M550d xDrive is doing 146 km/h against 114 km/h for the 118i. The gap is 2.47 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M550d xDrive crosses the line in 12.66 s versus 16.38 s. The 3.72 s gap represents roughly 138 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M550d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 204 km/h versus 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M550d xDrive finishes in 22.91 s versus 29.71 s, with a 6.80 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the M550d xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 118i at 213 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 (4.61 kg/hp vs 9.21 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.79 seconds. The 4.14 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, M550d xDrive G30 wins (4,46 s vs 8,60 s).

M550d xDrive G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,46 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M550d xDrive G30: 400 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp. 118i F40: 140 hp, ratio 9,21 kg/hp.

M550d xDrive G30: 250 km/h. 118i F40: 213 km/h.