2011 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2011 BMW M3 Coupe
8/23/10, 12:18 PM
#22
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Awesome!! Remember there is also a Boss Mustang coming which is supposed to be more handling focused and a bit more powerful. Remember there is also a GT500 which is also even faster than the GT and Boss. Should be some good years for the mustang.
8/23/10, 12:36 PM
#23
Shelby GT350 Member
My only thing is and it's been mentioned on here before that a BMW will still drive like a BMW. The Mustang hasn't conquered that finesse and elegance, nor has it matched interior quality. BUT these are the "how much do you care?" areas. To me, the Mustang does the comfort and ergos very justifieably and will only get better. The BMW really does make you pay for those extra options. I know, I paid for one. One with squeezy kidney holsters that will expand if I am having a fat day if I want them to. It's a luxo machine that drives superbly and hauls ***. But I still want the Mustang. I REALLY want the BOSS!
8/23/10, 12:43 PM
#24
MOTM Committee Member
Even as this is nearly Apples to Oranges, the GT500 is a blown engine. The M3 is not, the GT (Boss even) is much more a pure match up. More Apple to Apple if you will.
My only thing is and it's been mentioned on here before that a BMW will still drive like a BMW. The Mustang hasn't conquered that finesse and elegance, nor has it matched interior quality. BUT these are the "how much do you care?" areas. To me, the Mustang does the comfort and ergos very justifieably and will only get better. The BMW really does make you pay for those extra options. I know, I paid for one. One with squeezy kidney holsters that will expand if I am having a fat day if I want them to. It's a luxo machine that drives superbly and hauls ***. But I still want the Mustang. I REALLY want the BOSS!
My only thing is and it's been mentioned on here before that a BMW will still drive like a BMW. The Mustang hasn't conquered that finesse and elegance, nor has it matched interior quality. BUT these are the "how much do you care?" areas. To me, the Mustang does the comfort and ergos very justifieably and will only get better. The BMW really does make you pay for those extra options. I know, I paid for one. One with squeezy kidney holsters that will expand if I am having a fat day if I want them to. It's a luxo machine that drives superbly and hauls ***. But I still want the Mustang. I REALLY want the BOSS!
8/23/10, 01:02 PM
#25
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This is why i ordered a 2011 GT, its all in the numbers! My last car was a BMW! I was looking at getting a 335, which was 49k, discounted to 41500 at the end of year sale. Great car! However for the track, the GT is more of a car then a 335. As we also have seen, its right there with a M3. So now, just add a drop kit, and your in. Also, the M3 in the test had the track package option, new for 2011. If this test was done with a 2010 M3, the GT would may have won the day. Ronn
Last edited by Ronn; 8/23/10 at 01:07 PM.
8/23/10, 01:12 PM
#26
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WOW kudos to Ford for building such an amazing machine at such a great price point!! This is huge message to the car community that the new Mustang can compete and even out do the M3.
What more could us Ford Mustang fans want????
This made my day!!
What more could us Ford Mustang fans want????
This made my day!!
8/23/10, 01:27 PM
#27
Shelby GT350 Member
As much as the '11 Mustang GT is shaping up to be a legend, there is one important measure in which it would never keep up with an M3-
Chick magnetism.
Regardless, it's nice to know that I bought the best performance car that I could afford and it's basically as good as the one I couldn't afford!!
Chick magnetism.
Regardless, it's nice to know that I bought the best performance car that I could afford and it's basically as good as the one I couldn't afford!!
8/23/10, 01:33 PM
#29
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As much as the '11 Mustang GT is shaping up to be a legend, there is one important measure in which it would never keep up with an M3-
Chick magnetism.
Regardless, it's nice to know that I bought the best performance car that I could afford and it's basically as good as the one I couldn't afford!!
Chick magnetism.
Regardless, it's nice to know that I bought the best performance car that I could afford and it's basically as good as the one I couldn't afford!!
8/23/10, 02:03 PM
#31
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Either way it doesn't matter. If you have game, you can pull chicks while riding the bus or walking.
8/23/10, 02:13 PM
#32
Shelby GT350 Member
To have a GT from the factory that really does run with the big boys, that's pretty incredible in my book. I think BMW balances the braking better than the Mustang which would help contribute to that nose dive as well. Please Ford, I know the Front brakes mean the most but just for giggles lets put 14" Rotors and 4 piston calipers out back. I don't care that it stops shorter than the Camaro, we don't care about that car anymore, send your engineers over to the Maserati lot and check out the sports brakes on that GT.
8/23/10, 02:24 PM
#33
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I'm wondering if they had gone with a Base GT with only the Brembo package and the 3.73 gears (maybe another gear ratio would have been better on track?) if the Mustang would have edged out the BMW due the lower weight of a stripped down minimal option base GT, not to mention the $10k lower price of a base GT vs a loaded premium GT.
8/23/10, 02:37 PM
#34
GTR Member
So, Ford should build a "Ultra-Premium" version of the GT.
Upgrade all soft interior surfaces with ultra high end leather, alcantara headliner, electronically adjustable struts/shocks, etc., etc....
They should be able to do it and sell it for about $45-$50K or so.
Then go back and blow the M3 off the track and out do it for luxury too!
Upgrade all soft interior surfaces with ultra high end leather, alcantara headliner, electronically adjustable struts/shocks, etc., etc....
They should be able to do it and sell it for about $45-$50K or so.
Then go back and blow the M3 off the track and out do it for luxury too!
8/23/10, 02:42 PM
#36
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This is great. Five years ago I don't think anybody could have envisioned this is where the Ford Mustang would be, right up there with BMW M car performance.
Totally. I don't know about 14 inch rotors, but the 12.2" 2-pistons from the 2010 GT would certainly be a reasonable upgrade.
To have a GT from the factory that really does run with the big boys, that's pretty incredible in my book. I think BMW balances the braking better than the Mustang which would help contribute to that nose dive as well. Please Ford, I know the Front brakes mean the most but just for giggles lets put 14" Rotors and 4 piston calipers out back. I don't care that it stops shorter than the Camaro, we don't care about that car anymore, send your engineers over to the Maserati lot and check out the sports brakes on that GT.
8/23/10, 02:43 PM
#37
Cobra Member
As much as the '11 Mustang GT is shaping up to be a legend, there is one important measure in which it would never keep up with an M3-
Chick magnetism.
Regardless, it's nice to know that I bought the best performance car that I could afford and it's basically as good as the one I couldn't afford!!
Chick magnetism.
Regardless, it's nice to know that I bought the best performance car that I could afford and it's basically as good as the one I couldn't afford!!
8/23/10, 02:45 PM
#38
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I'm wondering if they had gone with a Base GT with only the Brembo package and the 3.73 gears (maybe another gear ratio would have been better on track?) if the Mustang would have edged out the BMW due the lower weight of a stripped down minimal option base GT, not to mention the $10k lower price of a base GT vs a loaded premium GT.
8/23/10, 02:50 PM
#39
MOTM Committee Member
I would certainly say that the E46 is very much out classed by the Mustang, the E90 isn't. Just on quality matierials is all. Not saying the E90 is laid out better or looks better because I favor the Mustang's heritage style dash. Just could do with not so rock hard plastic and make it look a little higher quality if that's what they are going for. If not then who cares, it's still nice. I'd like to have one covered in leather but that's just me. Could go the way of the DBS and cover it in Alcantara. I don't think this was really much of a comparison of the interiors though.
To have a GT from the factory that really does run with the big boys, that's pretty incredible in my book. I think BMW balances the braking better than the Mustang which would help contribute to that nose dive as well. Please Ford, I know the Front brakes mean the most but just for giggles lets put 14" Rotors and 4 piston calipers out back. I don't care that it stops shorter than the Camaro, we don't care about that car anymore, send your engineers over to the Maserati lot and check out the sports brakes on that GT.
To have a GT from the factory that really does run with the big boys, that's pretty incredible in my book. I think BMW balances the braking better than the Mustang which would help contribute to that nose dive as well. Please Ford, I know the Front brakes mean the most but just for giggles lets put 14" Rotors and 4 piston calipers out back. I don't care that it stops shorter than the Camaro, we don't care about that car anymore, send your engineers over to the Maserati lot and check out the sports brakes on that GT.
agreed kelsey
8/23/10, 02:56 PM
#40
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Very impressive! And with $26K of beer money rattling around your pocket to boot. Seems like it is only a decent set of shocks and perhaps some pitch control away from fully besting the M3 on the track. I'd be interested to see what the off track, real world impressions are.
The new Boss will obviously take the podium next time this grudge match is run, though you may only have, say $20K to spend on suds.
As touched upon above, I think an interesting SE would be to take a lot of the Boss bits but combine them into a more understated, up-quality Stang to really get into the M3s realm, and then maybe only have a mere $15K to kill your liver.
The new Boss will obviously take the podium next time this grudge match is run, though you may only have, say $20K to spend on suds.
As touched upon above, I think an interesting SE would be to take a lot of the Boss bits but combine them into a more understated, up-quality Stang to really get into the M3s realm, and then maybe only have a mere $15K to kill your liver.