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AVvsB120dDiesel
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsV · 120d

Mercedes V 300 d 4MATIC (long) vs BMW 120d 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.

MPV · 2024 vs 2021 · Methodology
MercedesDiesel

V 300 d 4MATIC (long)

245 hp · 500 Nm · 2,312 kg · 2024

VS
BMWDieselFaster

120d F40

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,450 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes V 300 d 4MATIC (long)

8.32 s

Gap0.95 sin favour of 120d
BBMW 120d F40

7.37 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureV 300 d 4MATIC (long)120d F40Gap
0–100 km/h8.32 s7.37 s0.95 s · 120d F40
400 m standing start16.03 s15.46 s0.57 s · 120d F40
1,000 m standing start29.56 s28.03 s1.53 s · 120d F40
Top speed (electronically limited)210 km/h230 km/h20 km/h · 120d F40
Power-to-weight ratio9.44 kg/hp7.63 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120d F40

Watch the race

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

MercedesDieselV 300 d 4MATIC (long)
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel120d 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.
StageV 300 d 4MATIC (long)120d F40
0–30 km/h1.60 s1.93 s
0–50 km/h2.77 s3.05 s
0–80 km/h5.51 s5.30 s
0–100 km/h8.32 s7.37 s
0–120 km/h11.54 s10.04 s
0–160 km/h22.22 s17.96 s
0–200 km/h51.69 s33.74 s
400 m standing start16.03 s15.46 s
1,000 m standing start29.56 s28.03 s
Top speed210 km/h230 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.

Mercedes

V 300 d 4MATIC (long)

9,44kg/hpcompensated by −862 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power245 hpPending
Torque500 Nm
Weight2 312 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
BMW

120d F40

7,63kg/hpratio better by 1,81 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 450 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.37 s versus 8.32 s for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The 0.95 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120d is doing 121 km/h against 114 km/h for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The gap is 0.17 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120d crosses the line in 15.45 s versus 16.03 s. The 0.57 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 167 km/h versus 156 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120d finishes in 28.02 s versus 29.55 s, with a 1.53 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The V 300 d 4MATIC (long) features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 120d’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.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) is capped at 217 km/h, the 120d at 231 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 (9.44 kg/hp vs 7.63 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.08 seconds. The 0.95 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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BMWVSAudi

120d vs A3 Sportback

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,37 s vs 8,32 s).

V 300 d 4MATIC (long) goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,32 seconds (calibrated simulation).

V 300 d 4MATIC (long): 245 hp, ratio 9,44 kg/hp. 120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp.

V 300 d 4MATIC (long): 210 km/h. 120d F40: 230 km/h.