BleuStallion
Member
Sounds like you’ve never driven an E9x generation M3. If you have, you’re part of what’s wrong with the automotive world today and these big overweight cars (like the boat in your profile pic) lol jk to each their own
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sl8anic
Member
I just sold my 2016 m235i and I gotta say that the BMW feels faster and much more controllable than my 24 GT, unless you rev the living daylight out of the Mustang. Instant torque in the down low RPM range of the m235i is very noticeable, esp in the daily driving. So is the MPG delta between the two.
But... Mustang wins in the exhaust sound and comfort level
But... Mustang wins in the exhaust sound and comfort level
BleuStallion
Member
Op, nice garage, congrats on the new GT. I’m a new mustang GT owner myself and this car makes me miss both of my E90 M3’s (as a weekend fun car) and I plan to buy another one day.
DeeDub SC
Well-Known Member
Very interesting thread here! I have owned several BMWs, plus Porsches of the late 90's into 2010 period and they were all great cars. Only issue became maintenance cost out of warranty that made me move on to a great couple of Vettes (C6/7), again both really nice cars with great performance, room for travel and "somewhat inexpensive" maintenance. About five years ago, I sort of went crazy on BaT and ended up (in four years) buying two Audi V10 R8s, another C7 Z06, an Audi TTRS, a C8 Vette AND a Ferrari 612! I know, my wife was VERY understanding! After all that, I decided to go back to US-made, V8 and MT and the ONLY option left was a Mustang. So, I ordered my 2024 S650 just as I wanted it and have been super pleased since! It has definitely grown in size and weight since my last Mustang (late 80's) but it has been great in my almost 18 months with it. Seeing one next to the M3 here sort of got me started down this whole rabbit hole, but what the heck! Just sharing some thoughts......... I think you will like the S650 as much as I have, dualpoint! Thanks for posting this up!
dualpoint
Member
- Thread starter
- #20
The R8 was thought the be the best "practice exotic" - got lots of great press. Was/is it really that good - especially compared to the C7? Can't believe the wife approved - impressive. My wife is very cheap - sorry, I mean frugal. The best I could do on any more cars is that she is now driving a 2020 GTI with a 6 speed manual.
dualpoint
Member
- Thread starter
- #21
I wish they had the 2 series with the six cylinder and a manual - I would have considered that. I looked at the 2025 M2 - but I found I liked the s650 more.I just sold my 2016 m235i and I gotta say that the BMW feels faster and much more controllable than my 24 GT, unless you rev the living daylight out of the Mustang. Instant torque in the down low RPM range of the m235i is very noticeable, esp in the daily driving. So is the MPG delta between the two.
But... Mustang wins in the exhaust sound and comfort level
DeeDub SC
Well-Known Member
Both R8s were fantastic! The first was 2015 Competition model, only about 60 in the US, but had DCT, which although it operated perfectly well, just didn't do it for me (I'm on old-time MT guy). The second was MT conversion on earlier 2012 V10 with the gated shifter, etc and it was much more involving to drive and the performance was really great overall. If you packed very inventively, you could even do a several day trip in them! Including a small golf bag! But they were EXPENSIVE to maintain. When the 2012 had the AC compressor fail that turned into $4500 repair bill, I decided that was a bridge too far. My S650 has 8-year B2B warranty now! I liked the C6/7 better than the C8 because of the DCT-only in the latter. The shifting on the C8 DCT was no match for the R8 for smoothness. Just didn't do it for me!
BleuStallion
Member
Thank you! I’d like to say the 3.73’s are great and perfect but without having experiencing the 3.55’s I really can’t give an honest opinion. My initial impression (first month of ownership) is that these mustangs are dogs below 4k rpm, but after a bit more time I e come to enjoy the powerband of of the coyote, and that’s bc it’s almost identical in characteristics to the S65 in the E9x M’s.
I had both a manual and DCT E90 M3, I’m a diehard manual guy but I feel the DCT(in the M3) and the 10 speed (in the mustang) are both a good fit for their respective platform.
I bring that up bc I feel the gearing of the dual clutch and the 10 speed are well paired for each chassis, but for me having 3 pedals gives me the engagement I desire, although I like clicking paddles like a wannabe modern day race car haha
sl8anic
Member
Yeah, I was looking for a manual convertible in both flavors. Unfortunately no 6 speed BMW 'verts of recent vintage showed up in my search this time around so Mustang GT was the next best thing (NBT... LOL).
Rocket Man
Well-Known Member
- Joined
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says the guy with the almost 4000 lb "boat" of a car.
LouG
Well-Known Member
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- Mar 11, 2025
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- 2025 Mustang GT
The really telling numbers are in braking. 6' is the difference between a miss, and a big hit.
BleuStallion
Member
Yeah you’re absolutely right, but never did I say the Mustang is a lightweight car, my premium pp is dang near 3900lbs!!
dualpoint
Member
- Thread starter
- #29
I forgot to add in my original post - I spent 1 year (way too long) looking at cars. This include the BRZ/GR86, Nissan Z, Acura Integra Type S, and the BMW M2. Lots of research and test drives ... and more research. I guess a reason this dragged out for me was that there was nothing that bowled my over during the first impression. And I think weight was one of the reasons. I thought the BRZ would be perfect for me - back to basics sports car, I don't need a lot of room, lightest thing out there, has a manual, AND it was the cheapest option.
But - in the end, the Mustang won me over. Maybe its my age (always wanted a 1970 Boss 302), or I was tired of buzzy engines and wanted an American V8, ... Even with the weight and larger size, I kept coming back to the Mustang. So far, I am very happy I did.
But - in the end, the Mustang won me over. Maybe its my age (always wanted a 1970 Boss 302), or I was tired of buzzy engines and wanted an American V8, ... Even with the weight and larger size, I kept coming back to the Mustang. So far, I am very happy I did.
keithwalton
Well-Known Member
I used to have an E60 M5 (the one with the bigger brother S85 V10) that's much closer in terms of size / power / weight etc to the S650 (even had adaptive dampers). As well it had a 500hp 5L engine just with a V10 instead of V8 and in America you could get it with a 6 speed manual, europe was stuck with the 7 speed SMG.
The M6 would of been the equivalent in terms of seats/doors.
They even ran very similar tyres sizes (255/40R19 up front, 285/35R19 at the rear) but i'm not sure if it was the more even / rearward weight distribution, the trick differential or the Michelin SuperSports i had on it or just a more aggressive traction control map but even in Mental 'M' mode it had way more traction than the dark horse and it rarely ever flinched. The butt dyno suggested it was putting down significantly more of it's power.
I only got shot of it as i'd had it 4 years (and it was 16 years old) and had avoided expensive repairs so far (replaced the throttle actuators myself, it only has two the same as the coyote just spread over 5 cylinders each) but i could sense big spends coming up. Especially when they advised the rear brake lines would need to be replaced in the next few years and the main dealer didn't want to do it.
Lines were cheap but they ran above the fuel tank which meant removing most of the rear end.
The M6 would of been the equivalent in terms of seats/doors.
They even ran very similar tyres sizes (255/40R19 up front, 285/35R19 at the rear) but i'm not sure if it was the more even / rearward weight distribution, the trick differential or the Michelin SuperSports i had on it or just a more aggressive traction control map but even in Mental 'M' mode it had way more traction than the dark horse and it rarely ever flinched. The butt dyno suggested it was putting down significantly more of it's power.
I only got shot of it as i'd had it 4 years (and it was 16 years old) and had avoided expensive repairs so far (replaced the throttle actuators myself, it only has two the same as the coyote just spread over 5 cylinders each) but i could sense big spends coming up. Especially when they advised the rear brake lines would need to be replaced in the next few years and the main dealer didn't want to do it.
Lines were cheap but they ran above the fuel tank which meant removing most of the rear end.
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