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BMW Z4 sDrive30i G29 vs MINI Cooper E FWD: 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.

sports car · 2021 vs 2024 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

Z4 sDrive30i G29

258 hp · 400 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2021

VS
MINIBEV

Cooper E FWD

184 hp · 290 Nm · 1,395 kg · 2024

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW Z4 sDrive30i G29

5.45 s

Gap1.75 sin favour of Z4 sDrive30i
BMINI Cooper E FWD

7.20 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureZ4 sDrive30i G29Cooper E FWDGap
0–100 km/h5.45 s7.20 s1.75 s · Z4 sDrive30i G29
400 m standing start13.71 s15.37 s1.66 s · Z4 sDrive30i G29
1,000 m standing start24.82 s28.93 s4.11 s · Z4 sDrive30i G29
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h160 km/h90 km/h · Z4 sDrive30i G29
Power-to-weight ratio5.54 kg/hp7.58 kg/hpbetter ratio · Z4 sDrive30i G29

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolZ4 sDrive30i G29
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
MINIBEVCooper E FWD
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.
StageZ4 sDrive30i G29Cooper E FWD
0–30 km/h1.46 s1.96 s
0–50 km/h2.42 s3.28 s
0–80 km/h4.03 s5.36 s
0–100 km/h5.45 s7.20 s
0–120 km/h7.26 s9.63 s
0–160 km/h12.26 s17.59 s
0–200 km/h20.34 s-
400 m standing start13.71 s15.37 s
1,000 m standing start24.82 s28.93 s
Top speed limited250 km/h160 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

Z4 sDrive30i G29

5,54kg/hpratio better by 2,04 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
MINI

Cooper E FWD

7,58kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque290 Nm
Weight1 395 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Z4 sDrive30i hits 100 km/h in 5.45 s versus 7.20 s for the Cooper E FWD. Despite lacking instant torque, 258 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Z4 sDrive30i leads by 1.75 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Z4 sDrive30i is doing 136 km/h against 124 km/h for the Cooper E FWD. The gap is 1.16 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Z4 sDrive30i crosses the line in 13.70 s versus 15.37 s. The 1.67 s gap represents roughly 68 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Z4 sDrive30i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 189 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Z4 sDrive30i finishes in 24.81 s versus 28.93 s, with a 4.12 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Z4 sDrive30i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Cooper E FWD at 160 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 11.15 seconds. The 1.75 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, Z4 sDrive30i G29 wins (5,45 s vs 7,20 s).

Z4 sDrive30i G29 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,45 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Z4 sDrive30i G29: 258 hp, ratio 5,54 kg/hp. Cooper E FWD: 184 hp, ratio 7,58 kg/hp.

Z4 sDrive30i G29: 250 km/h. Cooper E FWD: 160 km/h.