Looking to move from BMW M340 to Mustang GT...looking for comments

[HeyMoe!]

Thank you to all who read this, and might respond! My first post! I enjoy driving, and I enjoy having a manual transmission. I've owned one for the last 45 years of my 71. I have owned three BMWs, all with a stick. However, I got caught up in BMW phasing out (mostly), manual transmissions, and my current BMW is a 2022 M340i. It's a nice car, but I miss the stick, and often find myself driving my everyday '23 Honda Civic Sport, which does have three pedals.

I usually trade in my BMW when it is about to go out of warranty, which is about a year from now. And, my BMW dealer is a 2:30 drive from home. I like the dealership, but getting tired of driving there. The BMW is under 20K miles, and is paid off. It's stored during winter. I may have the BMW dealer spec out an M2 with a stick, but I imagine it is in Dark Horse territory. My pocketbook doesn't want to go that far.

I have a family friend who is a salesperson at a Ford dealership an hour from home. A month ago, that dealership got a Mustang GT on the lot with a stick. I didn't want to buy that car (didn't like the color, I like to order what I want and am willing to wait), but I wanted to drive it, to see how I liked it. My salesperson friend was very gracious about letting me drive it, even though I didn't want to buy that car.

I loved driving it. My BMW is a nice car, but the GT had some soul that my BMW doesn't. It was loud, fast, and fun. I don't want to recapture my youth, but, I'd like one last car that would remind me of my '70s Trans Am, before I am too old to care.

I am almost ready to pull the trigger on ordering a '25 GT, even with the price increases. : ( Performance package, exhaust, magneride, yes! No Recaros...my old butt needs a softer seat.

I am in a quandry about the entertainment system (I was going to say stereo, since I'm old). I'm not an audiophile, but I like music, especially classic rock. I am trying to balance the $2,000 upcharge to get the B&O vs. getting the standard system, and paying someone to upgrade it to something decent. I am very good at maintaining cars, and keeping the cosmetics great. Electronics...not so much.

Not to bother anyone, but I am completely open to any comments. Thank you in advance!!

BTW, if you are in Las Vegas, you need to go to Shelby American; it's near the airport. My son works at the airport; that's how I knew. A small but fun museum, for free. And, for a (not expensive) paid tour, you get to go into the shop area, and see all the Shelbys under construction. No doubt, you'll go home with some some Shelby t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Thanks again!

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[Mustang1987]

Nice!! I love my 2024 with the performance package, MagneRide, active exhaust!

You might me able to save a few thousand by getting a 2024 off the lot if you can find one that fits most of what you're looking for

 

[dusman59]

2k for the B&O system seems steep. I'm sure one can get a nicer sounding system for 2k. I have the B&O system and find it just ok. It was included with one of the packages. I am going to upgrade the sub as it is not as good as my Shaker 1000 in my 2011. I find that the B&O system needs to stay away from compressed sources. The volume at high levels seems good with little distortion.

 

[IceGamer]

Don't go for the B&O. Use the money or slightly more to get a killer sound system installed from a third party. You'll most certainly get a better amp, a better sub and speakers.

If you have the H&K system in your M340 and expect something similar from B&O system you'll be disappointed.

 

[9secondko]

Thank you to all who read this, and might respond! My first post! I enjoy driving, and I enjoy having a manual transmission. I've owned one for the last 45 years of my 71. I have owned three BMWs, all with a stick. However, I got caught up in BMW phasing out (mostly), manual transmissions, and my current BMW is a 2022 M340i. It's a nice car, but I miss the stick, and often find myself driving my everyday '23 Honda Civic Sport, which does have three pedals.

I usually trade in my BMW when it is about to go out of warranty, which is about a year from now. And, my BMW dealer is a 2:30 drive from home. I like the dealership, but getting tired of driving there. The BMW is under 20K miles, and is paid off. It's stored during winter. I may have the BMW dealer spec out an M2 with a stick, but I imagine it is in Dark Horse territory. My pocketbook doesn't want to go that far.

I have a family friend who is a salesperson at a Ford dealership an hour from home. A month ago, that dealership got a Mustang GT on the lot with a stick. I didn't want to buy that car (didn't like the color, I like to order what I want and am willing to wait), but I wanted to drive it, to see how I liked it. My salesperson friend was very gracious about letting me drive it, even though I didn't want to buy that car.

I loved driving it. My BMW is a nice car, but the GT had some soul that my BMW doesn't. It was loud, fast, and fun. I don't want to recapture my youth, but, I'd like one last car that would remind me of my '70s Trans Am, before I am too old to care.

I am almost ready to pull the trigger on ordering a '25 GT, even with the price increases. : ( Performance package, exhaust, magneride, yes! No Recaros...my old butt needs a softer seat.

I am in a quandry about the entertainment system (I was going to say stereo, since I'm old). I'm not an audiophile, but I like music, especially classic rock. I am trying to balance the $2,000 upcharge to get the B&O vs. getting the standard system, and paying someone to upgrade it to something decent. I am very good at maintaining cars, and keeping the cosmetics great. Electronics...not so much.

Not to bother anyone, but I am completely open to any comments. Thank you in advance!!

BTW, if you are in Las Vegas, you need to go to Shelby American; it's near the airport. My son works at the airport; that's how I knew. A small but fun museum, for free. And, for a (not expensive) paid tour, you get to go into the shop area, and see all the Shelbys under construction. No doubt, you'll go home with some some Shelby t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Thanks again!

test drove an m340i (among others) before landing on the z4 m40i with a certain female in my life.

the bmw is a nice looking, quick, and enjoyable vehicle.

however, the Mustang has that glorious 5.0 v8 which sounds so much better and is quicker still.

in the exterior department, the Mustang looks a bit sharper. The interior of the Mustang looks way better than the 2022 bmw though. However, bmw has absolutely mastered the interface navigation. The ability to either use the touch screen OR the dial is perfect. I almost never use the touch screen because the dial is so good. So you’ll lose that - as well as that special something thst bmws seem to have as an aura. However, you gain that primal passion that Mustangs exude and a bit more of a global appreciation.

if you want the stick, get it. They’re fun - except in traffic, and can be fun in a race, but can be frustrating too when you’re trying to extract every ounce of performance.

in the end, I think you’ll love the mustang far more and will be happy with the switch. It’s an upgrade imho. It’s a thrill ride every time.

one point: get the B & O sound system. It’s integrated well and you’ll have piece of mind instead of someone tearing up your car. Also, it will resell better when that time comes.

 

[smurfslayer]

You should spend some seat time in various models. IIRC, the Dark Horse manual is different, and well liked. I’d agree that unless you’re tracking the car, get the standard seats, the recaros are an upgrade that costs you a lot of money and features - no presets, no memory seats, no power seats. BOO Ford.

I took a quick look at the configurator, and similarly equipped
gt ~63.8k
mdh ~71.3k
mdhp ~72.4k

It will depend on what you want to do with the car. With the handling package, it’s a really easy car to have fun in. You get some form of the entertainment system no matter what you do, so quirks are the name of the game sometimes, but by and large I’m satisfied with the dark horse.
The B&O is panned by the audiophile crowd quite a bit but we need to be honest with ourselves:

The cabin noise is significantly more than your typical sedan or even an F150. Sitting still, you can pick out Bernie Leadon in Take it Easy, so it’s nowhere near as muddy as previous models - which isn’t saying much, I know. It is -enough- to hear, windows down at 70mph, and it’s precise enough at lower speeds that you can enjoy it - there are going to be some songs it’s not perfect at. I think better speakers would help it out a lot, but it’s not horrible.

good luck!

 

[Farmer Fran]

the 2024 B&O system is garbage, absolute garbage. Not sure about a 2025.

 

[smurfslayer]

We are obviously of very little assistance in helping you decide...

I am in a quandry about the entertainment system (I was going to say stereo, since I'm old). I'm not an audiophile, but I like music, especially classic rock. I am trying to balance the $2,000 upcharge to get the B&O vs. getting the standard system, and paying someone to upgrade it to something decent.

2k for the B&O system seems steep. I'm sure one can get a nicer sounding system for 2k. I have the B&O system and find it just ok

Don't go for the B&O.

The B&O is panned by the audiophile crowd quite a bit but we need to be honest with ourselves:

The cabin noise is significantly more than your typical sedan or even an F150. Sitting still, you can pick out Bernie Leadon in Take it Easy, so it’s nowhere near as muddy as previous models - which isn’t saying much, I know. It is -enough- to hear, windows down at 70mph, and it’s precise enough at lower speeds that you can enjoy it

the 2024 B&O system is garbage, absolute garbage. Not sure about a 2025.

@IceGamer @Farmer Fran : could you elaborate on _why_ you don’t like the stereo.
I’m not what you’d call a B&O cheerleader, but it may help OP to give some more specifics.

 

[Farmer Fran]

The bass is terrible
The fronts are tinny
The whole thing craps outbat about 12 volume of 30 max
The center is over powering even with surround turned off

It is quite simply a terrible system

 

[9secondko]

The bass is terrible
The fronts are tinny
The whole thing craps outbat about 12 volume of 30 max
The center is over powering even with surround turned off

It is quite simply a terrible system

are you sure that’s not due to competing cabin noise. I have Harmon kardon in the bmw snd at first I thought it was was a waste of cash with lack of separation. But I always drove in Sport and Sport plus modes, which are fairly loud. In comfort mode and non- spirited driving, it’s quite good, clear and quality. Huge difference depending on driving and drive mode

Bang and Olufsen is a very high quality brand.

just a thought.

 

[Farmer Fran]

are you sure that’s not due to competing cabin noise. I have Harmon kardon in the bmw snd at first I thought it was was a waste of cash with lack of separation. But I always drove in Sport and Sport plus modes, which are fairly loud. In comfort mode and non- spirited driving, it’s quite good, clear and quality. Huge difference depending on driving and drive mode

Bang and Olufsen is a very high quality brand.

just a thought.

Sitting still with the engine off

 

[qwk93ta]

I have a 24 pp1, mag ride, recaros, active exhaust and B&O. I could live without the B&O but the rest are a must. I added an x-pipe, the car sounds great.

 

[IceGamer]

are you sure that’s not due to competing cabin noise. I have Harmon kardon in the bmw snd at first I thought it was was a waste of cash with lack of separation. But I always drove in Sport and Sport plus modes, which are fairly loud. In comfort mode and non- spirited driving, it’s quite good, clear and quality. Huge difference depending on driving and drive mode

Bang and Olufsen is a very high quality brand.

just a thought.

The problem is that every system is different...

B&O is or was offered by BMW, Mercedes, Audi (if I'm not mistaken), Ford and others. Yet non of these systems is really comparable and they have absolutely nothing in common with a home theater system. B&O was or is the top range product for some manufacturers or sometimes just a single model. However, there is a huge difference between a 1000$ and a 3000$ option and it's not based on branding...
B&O does offer high quality products but it also offers cheaper stuff that is far less worthy of the name. The B&O in the Mustang is the latter.

Important to note:
The cabin matters and since the Mustang is a 30000$ there is hardly any money spent on quality of life things like proper isolation. There are some cool projects in the S550 forum where members added isolation to the doors, cabin etc themselves and therefore drastically improved the sound quality.

 

[Renntech]

The bass is terrible
The fronts are tinny
The whole thing craps outbat about 12 volume of 30 max
The center is over powering even with surround turned off

It is quite simply a terrible system

I well and truly believe the audio system in specifically your car is defective, because the B&O really isn't all that bad at all. I'm quite a stickler for quality audio and I don't have meaningful complaints, other than perhaps somewhat muddled bass. My previous cars were an M4, M6, and M3 all with upgraded H/K systems from BMW. While those were certainly better, the Mustang's system really doesn't lag a huge distance behind.

 

[MAT1955]

Simple reply - get the Mustang - no comparison.

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