New Member Vancouver BC - M3 to 11 GT
10/24/10, 02:38 PM
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New Member Vancouver BC - M3 to 11 GT
Hi!
I've been looking at the various forums for the Mustang and this one looked like a great place to hang out.
I'm currently driving a 2008 BMW M3 (yes, the V8) and I've ordered a 2011 5.0 GT Coupe in Kona Blue. It arrives around Christmas, and between now and then I have to figure out how to set it up for my half-dozen or so track days a year. I don't DD the car - I have an easy commute by transit, so the car sits a lot. When it does go out, it's either a road trip or to the track.
Suspension and cooling are the two key areas of study right now. The M3 sheds heat remarkably well - I have literally run for hours at 9/10's on a road course without more than a few water breaks (for me, the car was fine without any stops). I'm not sure my new Mustang will be quite so accommodating, at least not out of the box.
As for suspension, my M3 had a KW Clubsport kit in it with 514# front springs and 800# rears (yielding about 270# at the wheels). The car drove amazingly well on the track, and it was bearable around town, although a bit tiring on trips over 2 hours. The double adjustable dampers made the car very easy to set up and I'd love to do that again.
I switched to the new Mustang for three reasons:
- value - it weighs the same as the M3, it has the same track and wheelbase, and the same horsepower. All at 40% of the cost. My 08 M3 cost more in depreciation in three years than the GT cost outright!
- tunability - a reasonable range of parts that are all reasonably priced. Compared with M3 parts prices, it's very refreshing.
- family history - my older brother bought a brand new 260 CID Mustang V8 in 1964. My parents were apalled (big win, right?) - it didn't even have back up lights! It didn't even have holes for backup lights! It was bright blue! It looked strange! Later on, when I was finishing high school a good friend of mine who was heading to become a mechanic (that's what they were called then) worked part time after school at a local speed shop. They had factory sponsorship from Ford for a Trans Am Boss 302. I spent lots of time there too.
So, for me it's a bit of "going home" and a whole lot of fun on a budget. I'm really looking forward to the new ride.
I've been looking at the various forums for the Mustang and this one looked like a great place to hang out.
I'm currently driving a 2008 BMW M3 (yes, the V8) and I've ordered a 2011 5.0 GT Coupe in Kona Blue. It arrives around Christmas, and between now and then I have to figure out how to set it up for my half-dozen or so track days a year. I don't DD the car - I have an easy commute by transit, so the car sits a lot. When it does go out, it's either a road trip or to the track.
Suspension and cooling are the two key areas of study right now. The M3 sheds heat remarkably well - I have literally run for hours at 9/10's on a road course without more than a few water breaks (for me, the car was fine without any stops). I'm not sure my new Mustang will be quite so accommodating, at least not out of the box.
As for suspension, my M3 had a KW Clubsport kit in it with 514# front springs and 800# rears (yielding about 270# at the wheels). The car drove amazingly well on the track, and it was bearable around town, although a bit tiring on trips over 2 hours. The double adjustable dampers made the car very easy to set up and I'd love to do that again.
I switched to the new Mustang for three reasons:
- value - it weighs the same as the M3, it has the same track and wheelbase, and the same horsepower. All at 40% of the cost. My 08 M3 cost more in depreciation in three years than the GT cost outright!
- tunability - a reasonable range of parts that are all reasonably priced. Compared with M3 parts prices, it's very refreshing.
- family history - my older brother bought a brand new 260 CID Mustang V8 in 1964. My parents were apalled (big win, right?) - it didn't even have back up lights! It didn't even have holes for backup lights! It was bright blue! It looked strange! Later on, when I was finishing high school a good friend of mine who was heading to become a mechanic (that's what they were called then) worked part time after school at a local speed shop. They had factory sponsorship from Ford for a Trans Am Boss 302. I spent lots of time there too.
So, for me it's a bit of "going home" and a whole lot of fun on a budget. I'm really looking forward to the new ride.
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