2011 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2010 BMW M3: Tie Game? [w/poll]

[coolmazda5]

Alright, fan boys (and girls), prepare for battle. The ever keen-eyed Sam Smith over at Jalopnik has spied an interesting phenomenon in the car universe. The new 2011 Ford Mustang GT performance figures are within spitting distance of the mighty 2010 BMW M3. The Bavarian bruiser produces 414 horsepower out of its milky-smooth 4.0-liter V8 and hits the scales at 3,652 lbs. Meanwhile, the 5.0-liter Mustang serves up two less horsepower, but weighs 40 pounds less, too.

At this point, odds are your blood is pumping no matter which side of the ring you happen to find yourself on. Stats that close yield frighteningly similar numbers when the two cars hit the track, too. The M3 can clip off the 0-60 dash in 4.3 seconds. The Mustang can do it in 4.4. Quarter mile? Deadlocked at 12.7 seconds at 111.3 mph.

It's true, a quarter mile doth not a sports car make, which is why these next figures are so important. While the M3 can come down from 60 mph in 105 feet, the Mustang can do the same in 104. And here's the real shocker: Both cars hold onto the skidpad at .97 g. Now, before the comments go superfly TNT, it's worth noting that the as-tested BMW will set you back an eye-widening $28,180 more than the Ford. We could think of a thing or two to do with an extra 30-large.

So the question remains, which would you take home?

[Autoblog]

 

[coolmazda5]

As a ride would definitely go a Bimmer M3, but impressive Mustang numbers nonetheless...

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I realize that at the end of the day, the quality of material and workmanship falls to the much more expensive BMW, but seriously...400+ hp for under $30k in a nice package...you could spend $15k and make it a monster (and probably still retain the factory warranty!) and still come in way below the BMW list price. Plus it's as American as they come, and I like that. Mustang it is.

 

[CitizenPro]

^ Exactly. The Mustang has an affordable price tag with impressive numbers. I'd take the GT, one reason being theres no way I could afford the M3.

 

[mikeyb]

BMW M3 for long term value and Mustang GT for best bang for the buck. Overall I would go for the M3.

 

[tunersteve]

I find it somewhat odd, but an honor for the Mustang to be compared to the M3. For a long time, the domestic automakers have tried to rival performance from the M cars and this shows that Ford was out and was able to compare.

I have to say a few things; first, the BMW is a striking car, but it really fell short IMO. The motor makes good power, but lacks in torque. That's not the whole picture, but it's an interesting difference between them. Obviously, the Mustang has the SLA, which, IMO, is a moot point. It works, it's refined for the car, and handles on par with the M3 for most instances. I really wish someone would do a comparo where they run the M3 and 5.0 GT against each other on a road course and see how they fare against each other. I think the numbers would be very interesting.

At one point I was seriously considering picking up a CPA M3 coupe in the near future, but now, seeing what Ford has done, I'm going to order my GT, and come out about $20k less than a comparable M3 in options. I think with a few suspension bits, a tune, and some styling, it'll really be a fantastic car, both as a daily driver and a track duty vehicle.

Obviously, I voted GT, but this brings up another interesting point: why wasn't the Camaro compared to the M3 last year when it was introduced? There's something that makes people question this comparison and not that one.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Obviously, I voted GT, but this brings up another interesting point: why wasn't the Camaro compared to the M3 last year when it was introduced? There's something that makes people question this comparison and not that one.

Maybe because the Camaro doesn't project the same sort of refined image the current Mustang does? It's kind of a cartoon car, so the comparison between the two I think is a little far-fetched. The Mustang appears (at least in my mind) to be a more serious car.

As an aside, I think the new Camaro looks ridiculous. I know the Mustang design is a little dated, but I would take dated and understated over "LOOK AT ME" and over-the-top any day.

That's just my opinion, I'm sure plenty will disagree.

 

[tunersteve]

Maybe because the Camaro doesn't project the same sort of refined image the current Mustang does? It's kind of a cartoon car, so the comparison between the two I think is a little far-fetched. The Mustang appears (at least in my mind) to be a more serious car.

As an aside, I think the new Camaro looks ridiculous. I know the Mustang design is a little dated, but I would take dated and understated over "LOOK AT ME" and over-the-top any day.

That's just my opinion, I'm sure plenty will disagree.

I agree. I was asking/bringing it up in a more rhetorical sense. It just shows you the level of dedication that Ford has when it comes to this new car. I think a lot of people will be impressed with the 2011 and beyond with the advancements they've made.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I definitely agree. A clean redesign in the same vein as Ford's other cars will make the Mustang even more desireable...the biggest complaint I've heard about it is that the style is getting a little long in the tooth.

 

[tunersteve]

I definitely agree. A clean redesign in the same vein as Ford's other cars will make the Mustang even more desireable...the biggest complaint I've heard about it is that the style is getting a little long in the tooth.

I disagree. I think the 2010 was a perfect redesign, they addressed all of the shortcomings of the 05-09, gave it a facelift, and it looks great. The interior is gorgeous, and now it has the powertrains to back it up.

Either way, in 2014, it's supposed to share platforms with the new Falcon down under, which will give it IRS finally. That should really be interesting.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Lol...I didn't really read what you were saying. I do think the redesign was a nice step forward, but I am looking forward to more.

 

[tunersteve]

I'm really interested to see where they take it after this one in 2014. I don't know if the retro coupe will still work, or if we'll some totally different iteration altogether. I think between now and then, we'll have plenty to look forward to when it comes to this generation of Mustang.

One thing about this comparo that I never realized, that M3 gets awful gas mileage!

 

[captain_slow]

the mustang gt STARTS at about 30k, but once you start optioning it up it easily and quickly approaches 40k. this new mustang gt is quite impressive, and is definitely the best of the pony cars. and 40k is still way cheaper than the m3. and the mustang is (a bit) lighter than the m3! this is definitely one of the most interesting things to have happened in the car world. does this show the bloatedness of bmw, or the evolution of the mustang? i agree w/ some previous posts, i'm eager to see what the next mustang, in the vein of the new american fords, will be like. still, i dunno what i would pick between these two if i had that kind of cash. i think i would get a miata or rx-8

 

[tunersteve]

If you wanted a "stripper" car, you can order a manual GT base, then add the 3.73 rear axle, Brembo package, and skip all the other nonsense, and have a purpose built road car. That's only about $33k, and gives you all of the go-fast and none of the fluff they offer.

The one I built stickered at $40,035, but was a GT Premium, Premier trim inside, Brembo pkg, Security pkg, HIDs, 3.73 axle, Comfort pkg, Electronics pkg, and spoiler delete. A-plan brings it down to $35,770. I can't touch a Camaro or Challenger with those options for under $41-42k, and the M3 comes in around $62k optioned out like I would want.

I think a better option would be a 335i, then do some work to it and save the cash. A friend picked up a CPO 335i sedan fully loaded out ($50k sticker) with 20,000 miles for $29k.

 

[Kymerik]

as much as i love the Mustang...especially with the greatly improved interior and phenominal engines...overall ride and comfort, as well as retained value and oo look at me status of the M3 just is too much...that and im all things german

 

[tunersteve]

as much as i love the Mustang...especially with the greatly improved interior and phenominal engines...overall ride and comfort, as well as retained value and oo look at me status of the M3 just is too much...that and im all things german

If you pull up with a nicely equipped GT, you'll get plenty of looks as well. The M3 now almost looks like it's got too much tacked on goodness. I still love it, but it's getting out of it's zone for me. S5 on the other hand...

 

[Kymerik]

If you pull up with a nicely equipped GT, you'll get plenty of looks as well. The M3 now almost looks like it's got too much tacked on goodness. I still love it, but it's getting out of it's zone for me. S5 on the other hand...

oh you got something there with the S5...passed one on the highway the other day, and i almost lost my load...my girlfriend didnt appreciate the fact i got a stiffy over a car

 

[tunersteve]

oh you got something there with the S5...passed one on the highway the other day, and i almost lost my load...my girlfriend didnt appreciate the fact i got a stiffy over a car

I just wish it really had the power and handling prowess to back up the price tag. Still sexy as hell though.

I'll just end up doing my best Vanilla Ice impression.

 

[Hughes412]

At this point, there really is no comparison. I mean if you are in the market for a M3, you are not going to pull into the Ford lot to look at the Mustang. While ford is coming up with better cars, they still fall short of luxury sport. Now if you are looking for a sports car and open to all models only an idiot would opted to pay double for a car.

I just dont think people will be comparing these two cars. I know I dont. But then Id never buy a BMW M3. 40k is just too much money for a car in my opinion. And for cars over that, forget about it.

 

[genericuser]

I'd go mustang..

The long term maintenance costs of the BMW and the MUCH higher sticker price don't make it worth it.

I bet the 5.0 gets better mpg's on the highway too.