Need Owner Feedback...M2 or DH

[DINOSOAR21]

Just joined today...thanks for the addition. I am a long time Mustang guy, but had such a bad dealer experience with my 2018 GT, I walked away from Ford and enjoyed some BMW action...which is good no matter the reason, IMO. I still have my 2008 GT track car.

I have been looking for a fun, special sports car. It's not easy, though there aren't ton of choices. Nonetheless, I have finalized my search (I think) and I've gotten my budget to an M2 Carbon Package or a Mustang DH w Handling Package...and I have to say I am being sucked back to Ford again. This car would be a bit cheaper to buy and maintain. I remain undecided on the auto or TREMEC. I know everyone's thought on that though. LOL.

This new car would be for car shows, fun early Sunday drives, not track duty....got that covered. My only two concerns with a new Mustang are Ford reliability/recalls on this car (not seeing many concerns) and Ford dealers...which has always been a problem for the prior six Mustangs I bought from 2000 to my 2018.

Just 2 questions...have guys had pretty bullet proof experience with their DH? And, do customers who pay this premium get premium service at the dealer?

Summit Point Motorsports Park, June, 2022.

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[smurfslayer]

Oh man, Summit Point!!! my former home track.

If you're looking for premium service on any Ford, you'll be disappointed unless you buy from a place that also sells Lincolns. Honestly, I'd pay for the perk, my wife can just call, schedule, they bring a loaner, take her car for service and bring it back when it's ready.

Unfortunately, most Ford dealerships do not do loaners and are pretty backed up.
I will say that the Ford ESP (extended warranty) is pretty solid, easy to deal with and covers rentals.

If your plan is to keep the car reasonably stock, get the Dark Horse, handling package and go. Add in the ESP from a dealer who sells them close to cost (we have one on the Forum) and be done with it.

I've only got about 10k on mine, but I'd say it's been pretty good. There have been a couple recalls that thankfully have not "affected" me, though I do need to get one completed.

Be warned, the stock handling pack Trofeos will wear out FAST. They stick like glue for the first 1500-2000 miles, and traction will fall off fast after that. Michelin makes a PS4S in the same size, it's a little larger footprint than the Pirellis, 300 treadwear and most importantly, they stick in the rain or shine.

Get the Dark Horse. It's an easy car to like

 

[DINOSOAR21]

Thanks Smurf! What's your home track now? Yeah, would keep it totally stock. Understood on the tires. I'd change out 300 compound PS4 or 5 later, so not worried about the short-lived tires. I just want a capable, and special sports car that is still street legal...my track car is not. I would keep it a while too. I see some panel gaps (fender extension lips, front hood edge to front fascia) that seem awful, but honestly, I don't think I care so much. I just want it to not break on me. My 2018 had a damper fail, and Ford could not, would not fix it under warranty. Wrote letters and everything...was a nightmare. I cannot drop $75K on a car and get treated like that.

My other real burning draw is that M2 Carbon Package is just so damned special too!

 

[Drewmandoo]

I doubt any domestic brands offer any kind of "great service".. it's not a Ferrari, or Porche, etc. With that, I haven't been treated any less than i would call acceptable at any dealer or service department in many years.. YMMV of course, but at the end of the day, it is just a Ford.

Now, I have the DH without handling package, and without recaros, and it's plenty comfy for cross country driving and spirited driving.. I looked into the M2 and found it to be way too stiff for daily driving. maybe the m240i would be better to compare against it, but i didn't look at it.

 

[BimmerDriver]

I owned an OG M2 and currently own a DH. Both properly equipped with three pedals. I agree with @Drewmandoo that the M2 suspension is brutal, although I haven't driven the new one, I doubt that it's much improved. The DH comfort (non-HP) is surprisingly good although the seats don't come close to what BMW offers. I felt that the HP was a track car, and unsuitable for the street. I hope that you have been able to test drive it. This is my opinion, from someone who is likely older than you.

As for service, I'm generally treated very well at BMW. I've not had to bring in either the current nor previous Mustang in for any repairs, but if I do, I expect to be treated like everyone else, which is to say courteously and professionally, but without any of the perks that I am used to from BMW. What kind of car/truck/SUV I have and how much I paid is irrelevant to the service folks. The level of technical ability, quality, care and attention to detail l expect to be about the same, i.e. not great.

BTW, my home track is VIR. Perhaps I'll see you there someday?

 

[DINOSOAR21]

I doubt any domestic brands offer any kind of "great service".. it's not a Ferrari, or Porche, etc. With that, I haven't been treated any less than i would call acceptable at any dealer or service department in many years.. YMMV of course, but at the end of the day, it is just a Ford.

Now, I have the DH without handling package, and without recaros, and it's plenty comfy for cross country driving and spirited driving.. I looked into the M2 and found it to be way too stiff for daily driving. maybe the m240i would be better to compare against it, but i didn't look at it.

Thanks...for me, the M240i, while a great car, is just not special enough for me. I mean, I know no one needs M2 or DH performance on the street, and an M240 is well enough. Hell, I had a 230 and it was well enough, and handled so, so well. However, I want a special ownership experience too, and that is seemingly only with these "halo" cars.

 

[Drewmandoo]

Thanks...for me, the M240i, while a great car, is just not special enough for me. I mean, I know no one needs M2 or DH performance on the street, and an M240 is well enough. Hell, I had a 230 and it was well enough, and handled so, so well. However, I want a special ownership experience too, and that is seemingly only with these "halo" cars.

Oh for sure the m2 is special, I just don't think it's special enough to live with the suspension for daily driving, but I was giving it a very hard look
The dh is special.. even today I have only seen 1 other in my area, 2 others in the region, and people still come up and ask about it, comment at stop lights, etc.. it's a truly cool car, and we have had zero issues going from Florida to Baltimore and back.
I do miss a good manual though, and buyers remorse that I didn't get the 6spd, but the auto is very very good

 

[DINOSOAR21]

I owned an OG M2 and currently own a DH. Both properly equipped with three pedals. I agree with @Drewmandoo that the M2 suspension is brutal, although I haven't driven the new one, I doubt that it's much improved. The DH comfort (non-HP) is surprisingly good although the seats don't come close to what BMW offers. I felt that the HP was a track car, and unsuitable for the street. I hope that you have been able to test drive it. This is my opinion, from someone who is likely older than you.

As for service, I'm generally treated very well at BMW. I've not had to bring in either the current nor previous Mustang in for any repairs, but if I do, I expect to be treated like everyone else, which is to say courteously and professionally, but without any of the perks that I am used to from BMW. What kind of car/truck/SUV I have and how much I paid is irrelevant to the service folks. The level of technical ability, quality, care and attention to detail l expect to be about the same, i.e. not great.

BTW, my home track is VIR. Perhaps I'll see you there someday?

Good feedback, thanks. I did an instructor clinic at VIR with my Honda Accord sedan. It was awesome and that is perhaps my favorite track...though I want to goto COTA some day!

I am good with the harsh ride, and the performance is wasted on the street, for sure. I will definitely get the HP on the DH, so there's that. The Ford Dealership experience has never been good, and I worry about that, even as a heavy DIY guy. My BMW dealer and service experience has always been very good. Finally, I have a Mustang (track car) and the idea of another Mustang seems both logical and illogical at the same time. I clearly have issues, I know.

Finally, I am in my late-50s, so I do get how our interests and needs change from my 20s to now. I will never be tired of a top tier, visceral sports car experience though...as long as I can get in and out of the thing...LOL.

 

[TMR]

My 2¢ on ownership- Having experienced both BMW and Ford service in multiple states, BMW has been at a consistent high level- no matter if it is a 25yo beater or a new car. Ford has not been as consistent, but there really are excellent dealers out there. I have a good one currently and I get great service with old trucks, high end newer trucks, and my loaded Mustang now.
If there are multiple Ford options within reach, shop the service departments.

I did cross shop the M2 before buying my Mustang. I have 2 BMWs with B58s and I found the S58 had the power but not that much more character. I also shopped a used M8 with the 4.4. Neither had the engagement that I get with the manual Coyote. My use case is the same, weekend fun car.

 

[DINOSOAR21]

My 2¢ on ownership- Having experienced both BMW and Ford service in multiple states, BMW has been at a consistent high level- no matter if it is a 25yo beater or a new car. Ford has not been as consistent, but there really are excellent dealers out there. I have a good one currently and I get great service with old trucks, high end newer trucks, and my loaded Mustang now.
If there are multiple Ford options within reach, shop the service departments.

I did cross shop the M2 before buying my Mustang. I have 2 BMWs with B58s and I found the S58 had the power but not that much more character. I also shopped a used M8 with the 4.4. Neither had the engagement that I get with the manual Coyote. My use case is the same, weekend fun car.

Nice insights...thank you. Yes, I am looking for character....that intangible that makes a car more lovable or not. I remain undecided on transmission too, but that'll have to be decided later. Thanks again.

 

[needforspeedirl]

I actually cross-shopped the new M2 vs the Mustang GT RTR Spec 2. I had an OG M2 with a manual and I loved that car but it was very expensive to modify, even worse than the Corvettes I’ve owned. In the end I went with a 2024 Mustang RTR Spec 2 and added a dealer installed Roush Launch Edition blower. There are a few YouTube videos comparing these 2 cars and the consensus was that the DH felt better, was more fun to drive and had better brakes. BMW had taken most of what made the 1M so great and transferred it to the M2 but now it has fallen victim to their over complicated designs and super technological driving experience. It’s heavy, kind of ugly in the front to me and its driving character has been called a EV feeling vehicle.

 

[DINOSOAR21]

I actually cross-shopped the new M2 vs the Mustang GT RTR Spec 2. I had an OG M2 with a manual and I loved that car but it was very expensive to modify, even worse than the Corvettes I’ve owned. In the end I went with a 2024 Mustang RTR Spec 2 and added a dealer installed Roush Launch Edition blower. There are a few YouTube videos comparing these 2 cars and the consensus was that the DH felt better, was more fun to drive and had better brakes. BMW had taken most of what made the 1M so great and transferred it to the M2 but now it has fallen victim to their over complicated designs and super technological driving experience. It’s heavy, kind of ugly in the front to me and its driving character has been called a EV feeling vehicle.

yeah, the BMW is complicated and not nearly as nice to look at as a Mustang, but as far as weight, the DH is about 200lbs more. I'd get the Carbon Pkg on the M2 to help limit that weight. But, I am not tracking, so weight is less of a concern for me. Both the M2 and DH all get great reviews on their driving prowess, so that seems a draw on the two. Thanks!!

 

[smurfslayer]

Thanks Smurf! What's your home track now? Yeah, would keep it totally stock. Understood on the tires. I'd change out 300 compound PS4 or 5 later, so not worried about the short-lived tires. I just want a capable, and special sports car that is still street legal...my track car is not. I would keep it a while too. I see some panel gaps (fender extension lips, front hood edge to front fascia) that seem awful, but honestly, I don't think I care so much. I just want it to not break on me. My 2018 had a damper fail, and Ford could not, would not fix it under warranty. Wrote letters and everything...was a nightmare. I cannot drop $75K on a car and get treated like that.

My other real burning draw is that M2 Carbon Package is just so damned special too!

I'm closest to COTA now and haven't been other than a spectator. I think if you shop around -maybe even close to Summit Point, where I got my '17 Rap at MSRP in January of '17 ... you should be able to score a HP MDH with a well provisioned ESP for under 75k.

I will concede, there are a few areas on the '24+ that seem like they struggled with a clean way to integrate the design. But from an assembly standpoint, the panels on my example are cleanly executed, even and solid.
A lot of us have had some inside the cabin buzzing, rattles, etc. - A forum poster took the screens off and insulated the contact points and reported it made a huge difference. The rear view mirror buzzes too, so images may be blurry.

So the driving experience, while refined for a Mustang is going to be more raw and visceral compared to Eurotrash coupes and sedans.

Are you thinking manual or auto transmission?

 

[DINOSOAR21]

I'm closest to COTA now and haven't been other than a spectator. I think if you shop around -maybe even close to Summit Point, where I got my '17 Rap at MSRP in January of '17 ... you should be able to score a HP MDH with a well provisioned ESP for under 75k.

I will concede, there are a few areas on the '24+ that seem like they struggled with a clean way to integrate the design. But from an assembly standpoint, the panels on my example are cleanly executed, even and solid.
A lot of us have had some inside the cabin buzzing, rattles, etc. - A forum poster took the screens off and insulated the contact points and reported it made a huge difference. The rear view mirror buzzes too, so images may be blurry.

So the driving experience, while refined for a Mustang is going to be more raw and visceral compared to Eurotrash coupes and sedans.

Are you thinking manual or auto transmission?

Great feedback. Over the years, I have become tolerant of vibration and noises, but I do have my limits. I have had real issues with Fords, and have had many, so I get a little anxious about get another Ford...but mainly due to the dealers; they are just awful. I like, and want a fairly raw car. It won't be a daily, so there's that. As far as transmission, I am very torn. I have embraced automatics, and I love that 10-speed. But, I am a Gen Xer, and I like a good manual, so that TREMEC with rev-match and no-lift-shift, on a car that's not my daily, sounds very appealing. I am super torn. The only drawback I see to the auto is tracking it, and I am not, so it seems a preference choice for me. Though, my guess is resale is a consideration, but I buy cars for me, not the next guy. Did I mention I was torn?

I love COTA...someday I want to do a track event there!

Thanks again.

 

[smurfslayer]

Also Gen X. The 10r80 in the '24+ Mustangs is next lever better than my '17 Raptor programming and yes I realize it's a car to truck comparison. I've got bikes if I want to manually shift and honestly, the 10r80 does fine on track but not for as long as the tremec, and the 10r80 shifts faster, rev matches on downshifts quite well in auto mode.

There has not been a single moment since July '24 I've thought to myself "gee, I wish I'd bought the manual transmission instead."

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