Discussion
I'm thinking of getting an s550 mustang so have spent a fair bit of time reading buying guides & whatnot, but still have a couple of questions and figured that this place would be as good as any to ask!
1) I'd be looking at a v8 pre-facelift model, so is there any differences between cars that were built between 2015 & 2018? I think I read somewhere that post 2017 cars have a newer version of the infotainment system, but are there any more changes that happened before the facelift?
2) The oil cooler failure is quite worrying - is that something that's quite common? if so where is good to get the oil cooler upgraded/replaced and what's the rough cost of that?
Thanks!
1) I'd be looking at a v8 pre-facelift model, so is there any differences between cars that were built between 2015 & 2018? I think I read somewhere that post 2017 cars have a newer version of the infotainment system, but are there any more changes that happened before the facelift?
2) The oil cooler failure is quite worrying - is that something that's quite common? if so where is good to get the oil cooler upgraded/replaced and what's the rough cost of that?
Thanks!
First thing to do is look at the RFL as there is a big difference between £165 pa and £630pa!
Can find the details here...
https://www.parkers.co.uk/ford/mustang/coupe-2015/...
Can find the details here...
https://www.parkers.co.uk/ford/mustang/coupe-2015/...
I bought a 16 gt convertible auto and was advised to take out the Ford warranty before the 3 years were up, exactly the same warranty as new. It transferable so look for a car with one. Had a gt in the states 3 years ago, the facelift. Ok, car play and ten speed auto, lower bonnet “curves” for slightly better forward view. Apart from that , four tail pipes, I went for the Ford approved sports exhaust on mine, which I think sound better than the four pipe.
My car failed the last mot due to corroded rear discs, covered under warranty!
My car failed the last mot due to corroded rear discs, covered under warranty!
Edited by David Beer on Tuesday 31st May 18:33
Edited by David Beer on Tuesday 31st May 18:34
Depends before everything if you go for auto or manual, I strongly recommend to read through all the owners views here, there are some very good reviews and I formed my buy on these facts.
If Manual go for pre face-lift but from '16 on they had a better infotainment/satnav system so after May 16. The gear ratios are better than the face-lift, no flat spots, just power everywhere everytime, 6th is slightly longer, so you can save on long trips, still pulls strong in 6th, but shift to 5th and it's breathtaking. I had a short-shift kit, which made me really fall in love with manuals again, it's just so engaging, you shift just for the fun of shifting! Clutch is also bearable in traffic, so no chore whatsoever.
Auto probably the later 10 speed, goes well with the face-lift engine, driven both, was great but no manual.
Read of many failures on the face-lift engines, they tend to ticking, Ford says it's normal, you either may live with it or not. Pre face-lift seems to be less prone to problems.
Just do your thorough maintenance and you should be fine.
Other areas to compare are looks, front end slightly different, depends on personal preference.
It's a car which you simply have to tinker with, therefore should be enough cars for your liking around to choose from I guess.
Face-lift had a slightly better interior, it's well made mass produced stuff, so do not expect a highish standard, but it looks very good and is quite versatile with folding rear seats, largish trunk etc etc
Actually it does everything very well and is probably still THE performance bargain, the engine is just a gem.
It was an almost perfect car with a strong character, almost too modern-perfect (everything worked as it should) so I sold it after a while (but with a really nice profit I should add).
Either way you can't go wrong, so get the best for your money and enjoy!
If Manual go for pre face-lift but from '16 on they had a better infotainment/satnav system so after May 16. The gear ratios are better than the face-lift, no flat spots, just power everywhere everytime, 6th is slightly longer, so you can save on long trips, still pulls strong in 6th, but shift to 5th and it's breathtaking. I had a short-shift kit, which made me really fall in love with manuals again, it's just so engaging, you shift just for the fun of shifting! Clutch is also bearable in traffic, so no chore whatsoever.
Auto probably the later 10 speed, goes well with the face-lift engine, driven both, was great but no manual.
Read of many failures on the face-lift engines, they tend to ticking, Ford says it's normal, you either may live with it or not. Pre face-lift seems to be less prone to problems.
Just do your thorough maintenance and you should be fine.
Other areas to compare are looks, front end slightly different, depends on personal preference.
It's a car which you simply have to tinker with, therefore should be enough cars for your liking around to choose from I guess.
Face-lift had a slightly better interior, it's well made mass produced stuff, so do not expect a highish standard, but it looks very good and is quite versatile with folding rear seats, largish trunk etc etc
Actually it does everything very well and is probably still THE performance bargain, the engine is just a gem.
It was an almost perfect car with a strong character, almost too modern-perfect (everything worked as it should) so I sold it after a while (but with a really nice profit I should add).
Either way you can't go wrong, so get the best for your money and enjoy!
Having seen many, many of these one thing I would be checking for is corrosion on the bonnet and front wings.
They almost all seem to suffer from this eventually - it should be covered by Ford warranty if the dealer is happy with the paint and body inspection stamps. Unfortunately this seems to depend on the dealer you visit.
Oil cooler failure is said to be 3% or less on the earlier cars (up to July 2016) - after that failure drops to around 1% I'm told. Cost to switch to an air to oil cooler and remove the failure mode is £969 inc everything (with us at least).
Other than those issues they're pretty robust if serviced regularly and properly.
They almost all seem to suffer from this eventually - it should be covered by Ford warranty if the dealer is happy with the paint and body inspection stamps. Unfortunately this seems to depend on the dealer you visit.
Oil cooler failure is said to be 3% or less on the earlier cars (up to July 2016) - after that failure drops to around 1% I'm told. Cost to switch to an air to oil cooler and remove the failure mode is £969 inc everything (with us at least).
Other than those issues they're pretty robust if serviced regularly and properly.
Thank you all for the great advice!
I'm thinking of a manual car, so it sounds like I want one that's built after July 2016 to get the better infotainment and the lower chance of oil cooler failure.
Is there an easy way to check the build date of cars? I know when I had my focus ST I was able to use ford etis, but I think that needed the VIN number.
Sorry for not replying earlier, I've been away from the PC for a while & I'm more of a lurker than poster on here anyway, but I do appreciate the posts and help!
I'm thinking of a manual car, so it sounds like I want one that's built after July 2016 to get the better infotainment and the lower chance of oil cooler failure.
Is there an easy way to check the build date of cars? I know when I had my focus ST I was able to use ford etis, but I think that needed the VIN number.
Sorry for not replying earlier, I've been away from the PC for a while & I'm more of a lurker than poster on here anyway, but I do appreciate the posts and help!
djone101 said:
Having seen many, many of these one thing I would be checking for is corrosion on the bonnet and front wings.
They almost all seem to suffer from this eventually - it should be covered by Ford warranty if the dealer is happy with the paint and body inspection stamps. Unfortunately this seems to depend on the dealer you visit.
Oil cooler failure is said to be 3% or less on the earlier cars (up to July 2016) - after that failure drops to around 1% I'm told. Cost to switch to an air to oil cooler and remove the failure mode is £969 inc everything (with us at least).
Other than those issues they're pretty robust if serviced regularly and properly.
When you say checking for corrosion, is it usually bubbling under the paint I should be keeping an eye out for, or is there anything more specific?They almost all seem to suffer from this eventually - it should be covered by Ford warranty if the dealer is happy with the paint and body inspection stamps. Unfortunately this seems to depend on the dealer you visit.
Oil cooler failure is said to be 3% or less on the earlier cars (up to July 2016) - after that failure drops to around 1% I'm told. Cost to switch to an air to oil cooler and remove the failure mode is £969 inc everything (with us at least).
Other than those issues they're pretty robust if serviced regularly and properly.
As for corrosion check the usual points, some are just thrown together with really thin paint in parts, orange peel, etc some are quite good, maybe it depends on colour as well. Mine was really good put together, no issues with corrosion, so probably hit and miss.
Do definitely check underneath, some had no underseal whatsoever, in general do your thorough diligence and you should be fine.
SYNC 3 started for the '16 MY, so late 2015, just compare the display functions on YT and you can see the difference.
The newer one alone should be no deal breaker when the car (and the mods...) suits you, but it is a thoroughly modern device and works a treat.
Albeit I used it only once, at pickup to get around non local areas, and never listened to the radio, the music is playing in front of the car...
Cheers and happy hunting, it's almost as much fun!
Do definitely check underneath, some had no underseal whatsoever, in general do your thorough diligence and you should be fine.
SYNC 3 started for the '16 MY, so late 2015, just compare the display functions on YT and you can see the difference.
The newer one alone should be no deal breaker when the car (and the mods...) suits you, but it is a thoroughly modern device and works a treat.
Albeit I used it only once, at pickup to get around non local areas, and never listened to the radio, the music is playing in front of the car...
Cheers and happy hunting, it's almost as much fun!
brockovrs said:
When you say checking for corrosion, is it usually bubbling under the paint I should be keeping an eye out for, or is there anything more specific?
Sorry , surely warranty should be your priority! I drove out today in flappy mode, a manual car is slower, not an interesting thought for me ! As for paint bubbling, not so far but with a warranty , no problem !
As for “the stereo “ goodness me , not heard mine in ages ! Frefer the drive .
I have just bought a facelift, other than the cosmetics of bonnet vents etc, the main difference I found was after 2018 you get more hosepower, if you go for an auto its now a 10 speed, you get an updated infotainment system, virtual dashboard, the quad exhaust's are adaptive to give 4 levels and LED headlights. The road tax changes mean its £165 a year, but the first 5 years have an additional £330 to pay, but if you get a 2018 model after next year your down to £165. Hope this helps.
V-Rod said:
I have just bought a facelift, other than the cosmetics of bonnet vents etc, the main difference I found was after 2018 you get more hosepower, if you go for an auto its now a 10 speed, you get an updated infotainment system, virtual dashboard, the quad exhaust's are adaptive to give 4 levels and LED headlights. The road tax changes mean its £165 a year, but the first 5 years have an additional £330 to pay, but if you get a 2018 model after next year your down to £165. Hope this helps.
I had a 2019 S550 and the interior upgrades of updated Sync and digi dash made the world of difference to the interior to me. I had the option to buy new in 2016 but the interior left me a bit cold, the facelift made enough of a difference for me to change my mind and I bought one new in 2019. The exhaust upgrade is a massive plus too as the 'good neighbour' mode is great for those early Sunday morning drives to car meets that don't p&&s off the neighbours! A neighbour that lives c100m up the road tells me he always knows when I take the mustang out as he can hear it from inside his house! But he can't hear it in good neighbour mode.I use my Mustang as my daily (2017MY EcoBoost Auto), so this advice may not be as relevant to you but on infotainment:
SYNC 3 has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which I personally find to be essential in terms of integrating your phone for calls, messaging Sat Nav, podcasts or audio streaming, etc.
I'm in the habit of always plugging my phone in to use the above features but on the rare occasions I don't, SYNC 3 is still significantly better (faster and easier) to use than SYNC 2, which I've experienced in other Ford's I've owned.
While I wouldn't let that sway your entire buying decision, if it's an element and you will be using the car daily then I would recommend seeking out a car with SYNC 3.
SYNC 3 has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which I personally find to be essential in terms of integrating your phone for calls, messaging Sat Nav, podcasts or audio streaming, etc.
I'm in the habit of always plugging my phone in to use the above features but on the rare occasions I don't, SYNC 3 is still significantly better (faster and easier) to use than SYNC 2, which I've experienced in other Ford's I've owned.
While I wouldn't let that sway your entire buying decision, if it's an element and you will be using the car daily then I would recommend seeking out a car with SYNC 3.
Edited by kel176506 on Thursday 8th December 15:41
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