Drove My Friend's '11 Mustang GT - Page 2

DefBringer · 08-23-2011, 01:07 PM

I own a '11 GT 5.0 as well, and agree with the original poster that the car is too softly sprung from the factory. Both the Ford and BMW dealerships allowed me to keep an M3 DCT and a GT 5.0 overnight so I have done a significant amount of back-and-forth testing between the two vehicles.

When I decided to buy the Mustang I did a significant amount of research on suspension upgrades for the Mustang to make it more M3-like. I ended up spending about $1400 on Koni sport shocks/struts and Steeda Sport springs. These were professionally installed for about $400 (including alignment).

The difference is night and day - the car is *much* more planted and feels very much like an M3: firm but not harsh. Just as important, the car sits much lower and eliminates the hideous wheel gap that plagues Mustangs. This is the way the car should have come straight from the factory.

So ultimately, this is my advice: if you're gonna get the GT, you owe it to yourself to upgrade that suspension as well.

Why didn't I buy the M3? A lot of it had to do with the fact that I was sick of dealing with BMW service (I had an '07 335i), found the M3 was not the scalpel I was hoping it would be. To me, anything over $65k is Porsche money and I felt more comfortable with a Mustang at $38k than a BMW at $68k.

But I do agree with Dave, it's not as good-looking nor is the interior as nice as the BMW. Gas mileage, while better than the M3 I drove, is not as good as I hoped. With the 3.73 gears I'm seeing 18-19 mixed....and I think I drive like a grandmother.

Dave07997S · 08-23-2011, 01:42 PM

Sweet GT with the Brembo package..I was going to do Race Red...

I do feel the 2014 Mustang is going to be my next M3 replacement, since BMW is going back to the I6 with a Tri-turbo arrangement...I like only normally aspirated. So I definitely will watch what is going on with the Mustang.

Dave

Twinbo · 08-23-2011, 04:35 PM

Def, great looking car (my favourite colour in this car). Are your pics before or after drop? Just a side note: the Coyote engine is a monster with a nitrous kit if drag racing is your thing. Saw one run a 12.6 here in Calgary (4100 ft above sea level) which is in FI territory for my previous 07 GT/Whipple

Dave07997S · 08-23-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twinbo

Def, great looking car (my favourite colour in this car). Are your pics before or after drop? Just a side note: the Coyote engine is a monster with a nitrous kit if drag racing is your thing. Saw one run a 12.6 here in Calgary (4100 ft above sea level) which is in FI territory for my previous 07 GT/Whipple

Looks like after the drop to me...they normally sit quite a bit higher than that OEM.

Dave

Dave07997S · 08-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wall$treet

The thing with a bmw is maybe they make "heavy" cars now adays but they know how to make them FEEL nice and light and tossable, even in the new m5 and x6/x6M's. THe m3 weighs the same as the stang yet stang feels like a ton of bricks and has slow turn in. The m3 feels way lighter-a testament to the m suspension trickery and why it is a pleasure to drive

Believe it or not I felt the new Stangs feel was very BMWish. I drove a 2011 Mustang GT extensively, even placed an order then backed out and put my money down on my 2011 E92. If the interior was at least to the level of the new Focus or Fusion I would probably would have bought one. I don't feel the new Stang felt like a ton of bricks at all.

Dave

rav7ks · 08-27-2011, 08:27 PM

Ford has done a good job with the Mustang but i am not impressed by Ford. I just bought a Ford Explorer and for 45K I expected a solid car. I wanted to buy american since I've always had imports and wanted to at least contribute to the domestic market.
Comparing it with the BMW, the BMW is made with materials that are way more durable. I like the EXP but I find the sheetmetal is thin, the seats are not as comfortable, the Navigation is worse than BMW's, there is a lot of cheap plastic around. A lot of the chrome parts I thought would be metal is just cheap plastic. This whole my ford touch needs overhaul as it is slow and gets hung up sometimes.
BMW's do cost more but it feels like the money was spent on quality.
Maybe Lincoln (Ford luxury brand) has a better quality.

Cabinetman · 08-28-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wall$treet

The thing with a bmw is maybe they make "heavy" cars now adays but they know how to make them FEEL nice and light and tossable, even in the new m5 and x6/x6M's. THe m3 weighs the same as the stang yet stang feels like a ton of bricks and has slow turn in. The m3 feels way lighter-a testament to the m suspension trickery and why it is a pleasure to drive

I haven't driven a 5.0, but my Boss 302 feels very tossable. The steering is quick and direct in my Ford. I can't imagine the standard 5.0 is that different.

hyperboost · 08-28-2011, 09:50 PM

i just bought a 11 mustang GT with 730hp at the crank. twin disc clutch, procharger, heavily modded suspension and brakes, let me tell you the drivability is awesome. It's nothing short of my gintani stage 2+ m3.

Ford makes very nice cars nowadays and they are very affordable. some people need to stop being BMW fan boys. Like would you only have sex with one girl in your whole life? no, we always want to try something different

haze gray · 08-28-2011, 10:54 PM

Always enjoy the mods people make to make it more "M3" like.

08-23-2011, 01:07 PM	#23
DefBringer First Lieutenant Drives: 07 335i coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 318 iTrader: (0)	I own a '11 GT 5.0 as well, and agree with the original poster that the car is too softly sprung from the factory. Both the Ford and BMW dealerships allowed me to keep an M3 DCT and a GT 5.0 overnight so I have done a significant amount of back-and-forth testing between the two vehicles. When I decided to buy the Mustang I did a significant amount of research on suspension upgrades for the Mustang to make it more M3-like. I ended up spending about $1400 on Koni sport shocks/struts and Steeda Sport springs. These were professionally installed for about $400 (including alignment). The difference is night and day - the car is much more planted and feels very much like an M3: firm but not harsh. Just as important, the car sits much lower and eliminates the hideous wheel gap that plagues Mustangs. This is the way the car should have come straight from the factory. So ultimately, this is my advice: if you're gonna get the GT, you owe it to yourself to upgrade that suspension as well. Why didn't I buy the M3? A lot of it had to do with the fact that I was sick of dealing with BMW service (I had an '07 335i), found the M3 was not the scalpel I was hoping it would be. To me, anything over $65k is Porsche money and I felt more comfortable with a Mustang at $38k than a BMW at $68k. But I do agree with Dave, it's not as good-looking nor is the interior as nice as the BMW. Gas mileage, while better than the M3 I drove, is not as good as I hoped. With the 3.73 gears I'm seeing 18-19 mixed....and I think I drive like a grandmother. Attached Images

08-23-2011, 01:42 PM	#24
Dave07997S Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 BMW M3 ZCP Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: Playa del Rey, CA Posts: 1,972 iTrader: (0)	Sweet GT with the Brembo package..I was going to do Race Red... I do feel the 2014 Mustang is going to be my next M3 replacement, since BMW is going back to the I6 with a Tri-turbo arrangement...I like only normally aspirated. So I definitely will watch what is going on with the Mustang. Dave __________________ 2011 M3 Coupe-MR/Blk Turner Test Pipes, AFE pulley, Megan Catback/AFE Stg.2. 255/285 tires. Previous Rides: 2007 Porsche 997C2S Speed Yellow/Blk sport seats 2004 BMW M3 Imola/Blk Last edited by Dave07997S; 08-23-2011 at 02:40 PM.

08-27-2011, 08:27 PM	#28
rav7ks First Lieutenant Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MD Posts: 381 iTrader: (0) Garage List 08 M3 [0.00]	Ford has done a good job with the Mustang but i am not impressed by Ford. I just bought a Ford Explorer and for 45K I expected a solid car. I wanted to buy american since I've always had imports and wanted to at least contribute to the domestic market. Comparing it with the BMW, the BMW is made with materials that are way more durable. I like the EXP but I find the sheetmetal is thin, the seats are not as comfortable, the Navigation is worse than BMW's, there is a lot of cheap plastic around. A lot of the chrome parts I thought would be metal is just cheap plastic. This whole my ford touch needs overhaul as it is slow and gets hung up sometimes. BMW's do cost more but it feels like the money was spent on quality. Maybe Lincoln (Ford luxury brand) has a better quality. __________________

08-28-2011, 09:50 PM	#30
hyperboost Second Lieutenant Drives: M3, 535XI Msport Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 240 iTrader: (0)	i just bought a 11 mustang GT with 730hp at the crank. twin disc clutch, procharger, heavily modded suspension and brakes, let me tell you the drivability is awesome. It's nothing short of my gintani stage 2+ m3. Ford makes very nice cars nowadays and they are very affordable. some people need to stop being BMW fan boys. Like would you only have sex with one girl in your whole life? no, we always want to try something different __________________ F10 535XI Msport AW - DD\|E92 M3 MR exported to China \|E93 M3 AW sold \|E46 M3 IR ESS SC'ed with loads of mods\|E46 M3 TiAg Track weapon Moton CS suspention - sold\|Bentley Continental Mulliner package - sold\|87 944 NA winter beater - gone\|E39 540iA - sold\|10 Cayman\|04 G35 Turbo'ed 380rwhp\|03 350Z SC'ed\|11 Mustang GT SC'ed 513rwhp - sold\|AW SC'ed Unicorn - gone

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08-23-2011, 04:35 PM	#25
Twinbo First Lieutenant Drives: 2012 F150 Platinum Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 327 iTrader: (0)	Def, great looking car (my favourite colour in this car). Are your pics before or after drop? Just a side note: the Coyote engine is a monster with a nitrous kit if drag racing is your thing. Saw one run a 12.6 here in Calgary (4100 ft above sea level) which is in FI territory for my previous 07 GT/Whipple

08-28-2011, 10:54 PM	#31
haze gray Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe / 2011 X5 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 264 iTrader: (0)	Always enjoy the mods people make to make it more "M3" like.