BMW M3 gets compared to new GT Mustang...

[1andonlywhitie]

Wow... spawned a bit of discussion with this, normally my threads just die completely...

I posted the starting point but never gave my 2 cents worth... With a choice I would take the Mustang, mostly 'cause it is more raw and cheaper but if someone offered me an M3 I think I'd just about wet myself, they are a remarkable car...

Actually, my dad is currently looking at a 5 series for his business car... mmm twin-turbo 6 banger...

 

[Chris B.]

I really don't thin the lap time difference on a road course with the same tires on both cars would be that different. Even of you get a track pack 2011 GT and do a few minor upgrades for track use, you save tens of thousands over a M3 if you do want to use the car for track days.

 

[Jordan@JPC]

What kind of surprised me about the new engine is that even though it's a whole liter bigger than the M3's V8, the 5.0 still gets better gas mileage (+4 city/+4 highway over the M3) and can even run happily on 87-octane. Kind of cool if you need a fast DD.

 

[Herknav]

I think the whole point of the discussion was stock v stock, so making a comparison and adding aftermarket sorta voids it... just too many variables...

The reason the M3 makes such shitty gas mileage is because it revs so damned high. You can lug the Mustang around town and stay in the lower bands, but the M3 makes you shift (it HATES lugging) using more gas... but then lets face it, if you cared about gas milage, what the FUCK are you in this conversation for anyway?

 

[bigpappy33]

but then lets face it, if you cared about gas milage, what the FUCK are you in this conversation for anyway?

lol

 

[SilentScope]

the benefits of not being owned by the government include the ability for more R&D freedom. It allows the company(Ford) a bit more freedom to try riskier things, as opposed to just making up the loss from being bankrupt.

Nice numbers anyways.
I raced my friends 335 and we were matched,
nice to see the 5.oh keeping up with an M3..

The most important number up there is the 1/4 mile...
would have thought the M3 would have run a 12.5/6...
a few boltons/spray and that mustang is far gone!

 

[Herknav]

The most important number up there is the 1/4 mile...

The comparison is designed to show the Mustang in a good light. It's an apples to oranges test though. You could just as easily throw numbers up that clearly show the BMW as superior, (which it would have to be, given the price difference). As I already said, you would have to be brain dead to buy an M3 for the 1/4 mile...

 

[SilentScope]

The comparison is designed to show the Mustang in a good light. It's an apples to oranges test though. You could just as easily throw numbers up that clearly show the BMW as superior, (which it would have to be, given the price difference). As I already said, you would have to be brain dead to buy an M3 for the 1/4 mile...

the m3, overall, is a far superior car. in all areas; engineering, design, fit, finish, build quality and performance.

but, the stang holds it grounds at least

 

[Herknav]

the m3, overall, is a far superior car. in all areas; engineering, design, fit, finish, build quality and performance.

but, the stang holds it grounds at least

It holds its ground on the 1/4 mile and in the value department. It has a fantastically loyal fanbase and an awesome pedigree (how many other cars trace their roots back 46+ years?). It is built by the only major American manufactuer to NOT take the dole last year. The S197 single-handedly changed the design paradigm for a segment of the automotive industry (don't tell me GM made the new Camaro and Challenger based on the Charger and PT Cruiser!).

But the two cars are aimed at far different segments.

I have both. Right now, they are my co-daily drivers (by necesity). When I get back stateside and get settled (in a few months) they will both be garaged and my DD will be my 02 WRX. Why? Cus the Stang is too damned fun to just drive to work and I don't want to put that kinda stupid stress on it. The M3 because why subject it to the potential door dings and (especially when winter comes) chance of hitting something?

 

[Riptide]

lol

You know what the Bimmer guys are gonna say. The mustang can't get out of it's own way around a road course so who cares if it matches the german in the 1/4 mile.

 

[Herknav]

lol

You know what the Bimmer guys are gonna say. The mustang can't get out of it's own way around a road course so who cares if it matches the german in the 1/4 mile.

And what to say to that? It's true, in comparison to the M3. It is the point I have been making this whole thread. It is comparing John Force to Mark Martin. Two different racing styles, two different goals...

 

[Riptide]

Is it true? I don't know.

The 2010 GT beat the 09 WRX in the C&D lightning lap. It can't handle that bad.

 

[pieperz06]

but it is much harder to get it to an M3 level of handling and if they did the same stuff to the M3 it would probably still be faster then the mustang depending on the driver

 

[Riptide]

How does the M3 compare to the AWD WRX handling wise?

Just having a hard time with the whole "mustangs can't handle worth shit" when it beats the WRX. And from what I've heard from the import crowd - that was a big surprise. The mustang was supposed to lose.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/the_lightning_lap_2009-feature

hehe the 370z hit the wall.

 

[bigray327]

When's the last time you saw a Bavarian Motor Works product jacked up in the driveway being modded by its owner? Probably never. Most of us in this crowd bought Mustangs because they're blank slates, easily modified, and capable of tremendous power. Take a look at that M3 engine... good luck even identifying what the fuck you're looking at.

 

[WJK]

Keep in mind those BMW M3 Stats are based off the Sedan, not the Coupe!!! Heres the article: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sports/112_0805_bmw_m3_lexus_is_f_mercedes_c63_amg_comparison/specifications.html

The Coupe I would bet performs better then that.. Also, I would imagine without the extra 2 doors in the back it manages to shave off another 100lbs or so. I am still anxious to see a comparison but I think those results are going to vary a bit more.

 

[1andonlywhitie]

Most of us in this crowd bought Mustangs because they're blank slates, easily modified, and capable of tremendous power. Take a look at that M3 engine... good luck even identifying what the fuck you're looking at.

I am gonna second that. A lot of journalists have the view (That I agree with.) that the Mustang was never designed as a stand-alone performance car, it was designed as an affordable base to work from.. i.e. Shelby, Roush, Saleen etc. With the BMW you pay for all that additional built in research etc.

I also agree with Herknav that is in't quite a fair comparison as they are built with different purposes in mind, the Mustang may keep up in many regards but as total packages they are in different leagues all together...



P.S. I'm glad this thread has started a conversation, I'm proud a thread I started worked out...

 

[Twinscrewgt]

How can you guys say the interior and handling arnt matched with the m3. Have any of you been in or drove a 2011 gt? They both hold a .97g on the skid pad. And the mustang is lighter. I'm willing to bet it does quite well on a road course

 

[SilentScope]

Wow... spawned a bit of discussion with this, normally my threads just die completely...

nah, not you. the M3 and Mustang Spawned the discussion.

 

[pacettr]

How can you guys say the interior and handling arnt matched with the m3. Have any of you been in or drove a 2011 gt? They both hold a .97g on the skid pad. And the mustang is lighter. I'm willing to bet it does quite well on a road course

I'm with this guy. Although the Mustang isn't quite at the level of the BMW with regards to the quality of materials, it has made quantum leaps in this area and IMO performance is a toss-up.