Fueling the fire - M3 vs Mustang GT
Discussion
As there seems to have been plenty of talk about this recently, I thought I add a little more... 
lol 
As asked in one of the other threads - Yes the BMW did have the competition pack.
Then there's the price difference, despite the Mustang GT having every luxury option ticked (bar the optional glass roof). It still only priced in at $40k compared to the BMW's $67k!
Some other interesting points. Both cars are very similar in size and weight, with the Mustang being slightly heavier and a couple of inches wider. But not only does the Mustang have a bigger boot, but it appears it's better on fuel too.
MPG (US Gallons):
And faster in a straight line, although admittedly very close:
lol As asked in one of the other threads - Yes the BMW did have the competition pack.
Motor Trend said:
To keep things fair, we spec a brand-new 2011 M3 Coupe with only 1300 miles on the clock. It comes with all the extra goodies that make the M3 a world-class tourer, but the option that most interests us is the new Competition Package. This $2500 kit provides a slightly wider track via higher offset 19-inch wheels and improved grip by way of stickier tires and suspension lowered 0.4 inch. Combined with revisions to the M3's electronic damping control (EDC) and dynamic stability control (DSC) systems, BMW claims the Competition Package-equipped M3 is "the best-handling production M vehicle ever built."
Another point that seemed to be missed in the other treads. Was that with average "Joe" driving, the Mustang GT was actually the faster on track.Motor Trend said:
All you need to know was that I was 0.55 second faster in the Mustang than the M3.
Lap Times:| Drivers | Mustang GT | BMW M3 with Competition Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Joe | 91.52sec | 92.07sec |
| Pro | 87.76sec | 87.67sec |
Then there's the price difference, despite the Mustang GT having every luxury option ticked (bar the optional glass roof). It still only priced in at $40k compared to the BMW's $67k!
Motor Trend said:
To meet this challenge, we ask Ford to send us a 2011 Mustang GT Premium with optional 3.73 gears ($395) and Brembo brake package ($1695). We also request nearly all the luxury options available (except the glass roof, for weight reasons) to make it a comparable GT. This explains the fancy stripes on the leather seats, HID headlamps, and Sync-based infotainment system.
Despite all the box checking, the only thing we can't equalize is the price. In fact, the chasm between the $67,025 M3 and $40,275 Mustang GT can easily be filled with, well, another Mustang.
Ah, but is it worth it? That's the $26,750 question.
Despite all the box checking, the only thing we can't equalize is the price. In fact, the chasm between the $67,025 M3 and $40,275 Mustang GT can easily be filled with, well, another Mustang.
Ah, but is it worth it? That's the $26,750 question.
Some other interesting points. Both cars are very similar in size and weight, with the Mustang being slightly heavier and a couple of inches wider. But not only does the Mustang have a bigger boot, but it appears it's better on fuel too.
MPG (US Gallons):
| Mustang GT | BMW M3 | |
|---|---|---|
| EPA City/Highway | 17/26mpg | 14/20mpg |
And faster in a straight line, although admittedly very close:
| Mustang GT | BMW M3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30 | 1.7 sec | 1.7 sec |
| 0-40 | 2.6 | 2.4 |
| 0-50 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
| 0-60 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| 0-70 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| 0-80 | 6.8 | 7.1 |
| 0-90 | 8.4 | 8.7 |
| 0-100 | 10.1 | 10.3 |
| PASSING, 45-65 MPH | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| QUARTER MILE | 12.7 sec @ 111.6 mph | 12.8 sec @ 110.9 mph |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH | 108 ft | 110 ft |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION | 0.96 g (avg) | 0.95 g (avg) |
| MT FIGURE EIGHT | 24.9 sec @ 0.76 g (avg) | 25.1 sec @ 0.74 g (avg) |
| TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH | 1950 rpm | 2500 rpm |
Motor Trend said:
That the 5.0 will lay two sets of stripes out of every corner isn't the surprise, it's how clean and in control the car feels while doing it.
As for steering, the Mustang's is fast but lacks feedback. "I'd give the steering about a B in feel but an A in quickness. The ratio was about perfect,"
"Another surprise was the BMW understeers more. A lot more," he continues. "And that for me, took some of the fun out of it. It made it an easier car to drive fast, but it was not as much fun. The balance wasn't as good."
In reality, both are lovely cars. But considering the price difference.... As for steering, the Mustang's is fast but lacks feedback. "I'd give the steering about a B in feel but an A in quickness. The ratio was about perfect,"
"Another surprise was the BMW understeers more. A lot more," he continues. "And that for me, took some of the fun out of it. It made it an easier car to drive fast, but it was not as much fun. The balance wasn't as good."
never thought that a Mustang would be catching up the M3.
in the end though, the M3 just looks so middle-aged boring. not even looking at the figures, the Mustang is IMO just a so much better looking and all-round more fun car!
Also the Average-Joe drive sounds as if he was losing time in the corners, not suprising tbh.
in the end though, the M3 just looks so middle-aged boring. not even looking at the figures, the Mustang is IMO just a so much better looking and all-round more fun car!
Also the Average-Joe drive sounds as if he was losing time in the corners, not suprising tbh.
BriC175 said:
Very surprising that ford can build such a good car to compete with the M3 (considering American cars have traditionally not handled very well, bar a few). Good work.. I want one! Now just to find $40,000
Probably be £50,000-£60,000 by the time it lands in the UK 
Certainly very interesting reading! Besides a lot of the technical info zooming over my head I know the mustang definitely looks better!
What's the quality of the interior like on the new Mustangs? Last one I was in was fairly cheap and cheerful. (ETA, not meaning to stir up a hornets nest here, I know it's been argued about here before, but IMO the plastics were cheap and the general feel wasn't "solid"
Edited by davido140 on Monday 20th September 08:42
Petrolhead_Rich said:
looking at that (the pictures especially), Id go for the Mustang, even though I don't like the speedo...
Oddly I'm thinking that's one of the nicest bits of the interior on the mustang, 60's retro, seems clean and easy to read, and the amber LCD on the BMW is very mid-90's audi, VAG have moved on from these a while ago to much prettier and easier on the eye coloured LCD displays.The essential point is also that there are a plethora of far better dampers for the Mustang, allied to lowering springs, available for not much money and the Mustang also wears higher profile tyres so some relatively small changes would hand the advantage to the Mustang for certainly less than $2000.
Now add in the inevitable supercharger from Ford Racing/Roush, Saleen or the aftermarket and for still a hefty margin less than the M3 and you''d have around 600hp to propel it.
Now add in the inevitable supercharger from Ford Racing/Roush, Saleen or the aftermarket and for still a hefty margin less than the M3 and you''d have around 600hp to propel it.
davido140 said:
BriC175 said:
Very surprising that ford can build such a good car to compete with the M3 (considering American cars have traditionally not handled very well, bar a few). Good work.. I want one! Now just to find $40,000
Probably be £50,000-£60,000 by the time it lands in the UK http://www.atlanticsportscars.com/vehicles/2011_mu...
The interior on the 2010-on is better quality than the 05-09 though has less styling retro. The quality isn't bad at all but as underlined, you do have to specify the interior upgrade or you'll just get the base plastic - but at the price you're lucky to get anything!
davido140 said:
What's the quality of the interior like on the new Mustangs? Last one I was in was fairly cheap and cheerful. (ETA, not meaning to stir up a hornets nest here, I know it's been argued about here before, but IMO the plastics were cheap and the general feel wasn't "solid"
I've not been in a 2011 MY yet, but the pics above look good IMO. Certainly a more flamboyant and interesting cockpit layout and design than the BMW. I suspect the plastics might be a bit cheaper if you continually tap them with your fingers or a small mallet, lol Edited by davido140 on Monday 20th September 08:42
But then, I guess this is where most of the $26,000 difference is spent. If I'm honest though, even the 2005 Mustang GT interior with IUP (interior upgrade package) is quite a nice place to be, if you compare to other cars like a 350z, RX-8, 330ci.
davido140 said:
BriC175 said:
Very surprising that ford can build such a good car to compete with the M3 (considering American cars have traditionally not handled very well, bar a few). Good work.. I want one! Now just to find $40,000
Probably be £50,000-£60,000 by the time it lands in the UK stuckmojo said:
I guess the Mustang is a good car. However, I prefer the pre-facelift front. The new grille+lights don't do it for me.
The good thing here, is the basic platform of the 2005-2009 cars is exactly the same as the new one.This means you could buy yourself an older Mustang and swap on some upgraded parts from Ford Racing (Ford's own in house tuning shop) or someone like Roush or another 3rd party tuner.
The only other main difference is, the 2005-09 cars used Ford Modular V8 which was an alloy block SOHC 3v per cylinder 4.6 motor. Not a bad motor and on US 87 octane fuel (we have nothing this low grade in the UK) it made 305hp compared to the new 5 litre DOHC 4v per cylinder unit's 412hp.
But fear not, retune the old one for 95 or 98 RON and a few breathing mods and you'll liberate 30-40HP as a rule and the 2005-09 cars weigh slightly less.
Or there's the supercharger route which with an otherwise standard engine should see 420-450hp and if you beef the engine internals up a bit then it should be good for a fairly usable 600hp.
300bhp/ton said:
g3org3y said:
Do they make the Mustand in RHD yet?
Nope and I hope they don't 
The new Mustangs (including the V6 - pretty much as fast as the previous V8!) are getting great press in the US.
It would be interesting to see a review by someone like Autocar or Evo - Whilst numbers are very important (and the Mustang's are very impressive) and many Americans accuse MT of being 'anti-American' in their liking for You-Rope-Ian cars, I'm not convinced the Mustang would be quite so competitive with the M3 on British or European roads...
Of course, as someone's said, the price difference wouldn't be so marked in the UK either (although that link to £35K ones is pretty good; does it include any kind of meaningful warranty? It looks great in black!), but the latest Mustang DOES seem a mighty impressive car for those lucky enough to be able to pick one up for $40K.
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Monday 20th September 09:55
marcosgt said:
300bhp/ton said:
g3org3y said:
Do they make the Mustand in RHD yet?
Nope and I hope they don't The new Mustangs (including the V6 - pretty much as fast as the previous V8!) are getting great press in the US.
It would be interesting to see a review by someone like Autocar or Evo - Whilst numbers are very important (and the Mustang's are very impressive) and many Americans accuse MT of being 'anti-American' in their liking for You-Rope-Ian cars, I'm not convinced the Mustang would be quite so competitive with the M3 on British or European roads...
Of course, as someone's said, the price difference wouldn't be so marked in the UK either (although that link to £35K ones is pretty good; does it include any kind of meaningful warranty? It looks great in black!), but the latest Mustang DOES seem a mighty impressive car for those lucky enough to be able to pick one up for $40K.
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Monday 20th September 09:55
Both are awesome cars but I would take the M3 any day of the week simply down to it probably being a better tourer. (Although I find that hard to say when as an ex-Buell owner having done a 1000+ mile road-trip on one too.....with my wife on the back).
I'd also be very interested in the reliability stakes. There's no point having a car that breaks down all the time and I've heard the M3 isn't so great at this.....
I'd also be very interested in the reliability stakes. There's no point having a car that breaks down all the time and I've heard the M3 isn't so great at this.....
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