S550 Mustang GT - LONG post with plenty of pictures
Discussion
Yeah, it was the only bit that grated on mine. The false gas cap.
I rented a 1971 Mustang in LA a long long time ago. Went to fill it with petrol and just kept walking around the car not understanding why I couldn't find the filler.
A guy pulled up in a beautiful 60s Corvette Stingray.
Hey buddy! It's behind the plate!
He yelled.
Yep! It was behind the spring loaded rear number plate
I rented a 1971 Mustang in LA a long long time ago. Went to fill it with petrol and just kept walking around the car not understanding why I couldn't find the filler.
A guy pulled up in a beautiful 60s Corvette Stingray.
Hey buddy! It's behind the plate!
He yelled.
Yep! It was behind the spring loaded rear number plate
I took a work trip to one of our depots on bank holiday Monday, which is part of an old airfield with a couple of very long runways, the runways are not our property but as we get on well with the owners I snuck onto it to have a little play with the Mustang where I managed to max it out.
I was always surprised that it 'only' had a top speed of 155mph, as the mid-range performance feels much stronger than my Boxster S did.
Above 130mph, the Boxster's acceleration noticeably slowed whereas the Mustang still pulls hard.
As I accelerated, past 150mph, it didn't seem to slow at all. The clock only goes up to an indicated 160mph, but there was still pull after I reached that - and then all of a sudden the acceleration cut where I hit the electronic limiter (which I didn't realise it had), so I don't know the exact genuine speed I was going - 155mph. Presumably, the speedo isn't 100% accurate and the limiter cut in at 155mph exactly but I may have been going a bit quicker, who knows.
It has made me wonder how far the car would be de-limited as prior to the limiter kicking in the car really didn't show any drop in acceleration. It was quite brutal and made me realise just how much faster it is than the Boxster once you start hitting those higher speeds.
The runway owner had a little moan saying that the strip isn't for fun - and then asked me how fast I managed to go which lead onto a lengthy conversation about all the TVRs he has owned over the years.
Hi Peter, if you're reading!
My second year/20,000 mile service was completed today by the same Ford dealer that I purchased the car from.
The bill came in at an 'eye-watering' £255. They did recommend that I go for the optional brake fluid change for £45 which is recommended at the 2nd year service, however I declined as 1) despite the car being 2 years old, it has only done 5,640 miles and 2) they actually changed the brake fluid before selling me the car back in October 2019 so it was utterly pointless to change it again.
As you'd expect, the car is in good health and the only thing to be flagged up was the tread depth of the inner part of the rear tyres, sitting at 3mm on each side. I was a little confused though, as Ford flagged this as 'Requires Urgent Attention' even though they are nearly double the minimum legal limit.
It was the first time I've ever had a car serviced from a non-premium brand, having used Porsche Centres for the last few years. As you'd expect, the experience with Ford wasn't quite as pleasant.
Firstly, they never stamped the paint check section of the service book, so I had to go back in to get this done - some S550 Mustangs seem to start bubbling on their bonnets so getting the paint check stamp is important if you want the bonnet replaced under warranty. I've seen forum members denied replacement because of that so as minor as it is, it is important.
Lastly, though they stamped the book, they didn't sign it off. I won't go back to get them to do it but it is quite irritating that they couldn't get such a basic thing right.
Overall, for £255 I can't really complain and I am just nit-picking. Had I have gone down the route of buying an M5 - which was the original plan when selling the Boxster, the service would have cost considerably more than that so I am sure I can put up with some sloppy paperwork on Ford's part - though it does make me wonder if they can't get the paperwork right, can they be trusted with the car? I'll likely move to specialists once the warranty has expired.
I was always surprised that it 'only' had a top speed of 155mph, as the mid-range performance feels much stronger than my Boxster S did.
Above 130mph, the Boxster's acceleration noticeably slowed whereas the Mustang still pulls hard.
As I accelerated, past 150mph, it didn't seem to slow at all. The clock only goes up to an indicated 160mph, but there was still pull after I reached that - and then all of a sudden the acceleration cut where I hit the electronic limiter (which I didn't realise it had), so I don't know the exact genuine speed I was going - 155mph. Presumably, the speedo isn't 100% accurate and the limiter cut in at 155mph exactly but I may have been going a bit quicker, who knows.
It has made me wonder how far the car would be de-limited as prior to the limiter kicking in the car really didn't show any drop in acceleration. It was quite brutal and made me realise just how much faster it is than the Boxster once you start hitting those higher speeds.
The runway owner had a little moan saying that the strip isn't for fun - and then asked me how fast I managed to go which lead onto a lengthy conversation about all the TVRs he has owned over the years.
Hi Peter, if you're reading!
My second year/20,000 mile service was completed today by the same Ford dealer that I purchased the car from.
The bill came in at an 'eye-watering' £255. They did recommend that I go for the optional brake fluid change for £45 which is recommended at the 2nd year service, however I declined as 1) despite the car being 2 years old, it has only done 5,640 miles and 2) they actually changed the brake fluid before selling me the car back in October 2019 so it was utterly pointless to change it again.
As you'd expect, the car is in good health and the only thing to be flagged up was the tread depth of the inner part of the rear tyres, sitting at 3mm on each side. I was a little confused though, as Ford flagged this as 'Requires Urgent Attention' even though they are nearly double the minimum legal limit.
It was the first time I've ever had a car serviced from a non-premium brand, having used Porsche Centres for the last few years. As you'd expect, the experience with Ford wasn't quite as pleasant.
Firstly, they never stamped the paint check section of the service book, so I had to go back in to get this done - some S550 Mustangs seem to start bubbling on their bonnets so getting the paint check stamp is important if you want the bonnet replaced under warranty. I've seen forum members denied replacement because of that so as minor as it is, it is important.
Lastly, though they stamped the book, they didn't sign it off. I won't go back to get them to do it but it is quite irritating that they couldn't get such a basic thing right.
Overall, for £255 I can't really complain and I am just nit-picking. Had I have gone down the route of buying an M5 - which was the original plan when selling the Boxster, the service would have cost considerably more than that so I am sure I can put up with some sloppy paperwork on Ford's part - though it does make me wonder if they can't get the paperwork right, can they be trusted with the car? I'll likely move to specialists once the warranty has expired.
Edited by TREMAiNE on Wednesday 27th May 18:36
At those higher speeds how was your bonnet? In Germany a couple of years ago, I found that my bonnet "fluttered" quite badly at anything north than 110mph, but then settled down a bit over 135mph. I "only" managed 140mph, but was on winter tyres and it was a dual lane autobahn, so didn't push it further.
downthepub said:
At those higher speeds how was your bonnet? In Germany a couple of years ago, I found that my bonnet "fluttered" quite badly at anything north than 110mph, but then settled down a bit over 135mph. I "only" managed 140mph, but was on winter tyres and it was a dual lane autobahn, so didn't push it further.
I didn't notice any problems with the bonnet, though to be fair I was concentrating on the runway as I didn't want to miss the braking point and drive into our warehouse at 150+ I never felt that the car was in anyway unstable and it was fairly well composed at that speed.
By comparison, I took the Boxster to a GPS verified 168mph, which again felt stable but I definitely didn't feel as safe - though admittedly the fact it was a hell of a lot louder probably played a part in that.
This Sunday, I will finally be addressing the Mustangs quiet exhaust!
Whilst I can't justify a full system right now, several people have recommended a chap who modifies OEM exhausts. After looking at his reviews online as well as the work he has done on other cars on his YouTube channel I booked an appointment with him. For a few hundred pounds it seems like a no-brainer.
If I am not happy with the results for whatever reason, I can still go for a full system but based on what I've read and seen online, this will likely be adequate.
On a more boring note, at 21:00 on Saturday night we had an emergency at work. To cut a long story short, I ended up having to drive from Essex down to Salisbury to drop a key off and then run home again. It was my first reasonably long drive in the Mustang totaling nearly 300 miles.
Whilst the drive there was mostly motorways, the last 20 miles or so was driving through villages. On the return journey, the M25 was closed and I had to take the dreaded North Circular. An awful road, with plenty of speed cameras, average cameras, a constantly changing speed limit and lots of traffic lights.
I managed a fairly impressive 32.5mpg over the 6-hour drive, using just under 3 quarters of a tank of fuel, though I was averaging 38mpg before hopping onto the North Circular.
I was, admittedly, knackered after 6 hours in it, but given that it was 3am and I'd been up the night before with other problems at work is likely the reason why. The car was fairly comfortable over the 6 hour period - more than my Boxster was. The car impresses me more and more as the weeks go on. It really is more than the sum of its parts.
Whilst I can't justify a full system right now, several people have recommended a chap who modifies OEM exhausts. After looking at his reviews online as well as the work he has done on other cars on his YouTube channel I booked an appointment with him. For a few hundred pounds it seems like a no-brainer.
If I am not happy with the results for whatever reason, I can still go for a full system but based on what I've read and seen online, this will likely be adequate.
On a more boring note, at 21:00 on Saturday night we had an emergency at work. To cut a long story short, I ended up having to drive from Essex down to Salisbury to drop a key off and then run home again. It was my first reasonably long drive in the Mustang totaling nearly 300 miles.
Whilst the drive there was mostly motorways, the last 20 miles or so was driving through villages. On the return journey, the M25 was closed and I had to take the dreaded North Circular. An awful road, with plenty of speed cameras, average cameras, a constantly changing speed limit and lots of traffic lights.
I managed a fairly impressive 32.5mpg over the 6-hour drive, using just under 3 quarters of a tank of fuel, though I was averaging 38mpg before hopping onto the North Circular.
I was, admittedly, knackered after 6 hours in it, but given that it was 3am and I'd been up the night before with other problems at work is likely the reason why. The car was fairly comfortable over the 6 hour period - more than my Boxster was. The car impresses me more and more as the weeks go on. It really is more than the sum of its parts.
Nice write up and glad to see you're enjoying the greatness that comes from a big V8 and a manual 
I'd also echo getting Michelins for it if poss, and using that 3mm warning and the spare rears as an excuse to properly blow the tyres off at every opportunity
Oh but, you know, not near any crowds... Mustang and all that...
I'd also echo getting Michelins for it if poss, and using that 3mm warning and the spare rears as an excuse to properly blow the tyres off at every opportunity
Oh but, you know, not near any crowds... Mustang and all that...
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