2019 vs 2020 GT350R - Worth the differences?

[PP0001]

Why are the latest R models better braking/handling/steering than earlier ones?

In 2019 the MagneRide was recalibrated, updated and improved and of course you already know about the steering improvements for the 2020 R that were leveraged from the 2020 GT500 which resulted in a significant cost increase for the 2020 R models but did improve the steering characteristics for the 2020 R.

It is also my understanding that when Ford moved away from cross drilled rotors to a solid rotor for the later cars that there was some improvement in braking as well.

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[Joe Mac]

My 19 has next to no tramlining, very much about the tires. I run Pilot Sport AS/3+.

I installed the Steeda track bar really reduced my trame line issues

 

[fpa1974]

In 2019 the MagneRide was recalibrated, updated and improved and of course you already know about the steering improvements for the 2020 R that were leveraged from the 2020 GT500 which resulted in a significant cost increase for the 2020 R models but did improve the steering characteristics for the 2020 R.

It is also my understanding that when Ford moved away from cross drilled rotors to a solid rotor for the later cars that there was some improvement in braking as well.

2019 Rs got new ABS calibration.

Now I am not entirely sure the 2020 R cost increase was totally due to the steering change. I am actually almost sure it was done because Ford knew they could charge more for it. I am not going to say if the steering change indeed changes the character of the car because without driving similarly setup cars back to back is probably hard to say anything. My guess is that 2020s do indeed tramline less by looking at the suspension geometry changes as well as the recommended alignment settings for a 2020 vs 2019.

 

[Joe Mac]

2019 Rs got new ABS calibration.

Now I am not entirely sure the 2020 R cost increase was totally due to the steering change. I am actually almost sure it was done because Ford knew they could charge more for it. I am not going to say if the steering change indeed changes the character of the car because without driving similarly setup cars back to back is probably hard to say anything. My guess is that 2020s do indeed tramline less by looking at the suspension geometry changes as well as the recommended alignment settings for a 2020 vs 2019.

The carbon wheels and spoiler might have helped with the price increase

 

[fpa1974]

The carbon wheels and spoiler might have helped with the price increase

2019 Rs and prior have carbon fiber wheels and spoiler. Ford press release at the time was super ambiguous. I wonder why

 

[Joe Mac]

2019 Rs and prior have carbon fiber wheels and spoiler. Ford press release at the time was super ambiguous. I wonder why

I didn't know that I thought those were new for 2019-2020

 

[fpa1974]

I didn't know that I thought those were new for 2019-2020

The CF wheels was probably one of the things that was advertised most about the R back in 2015.

This thread has some good info: https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/list-of-changes-to-the-2019-gt350.136944/

 

[PP0001]

2019 Rs got new ABS calibration.

Now I am not entirely sure the 2020 R cost increase was totally due to the steering change. I am actually almost sure it was done because Ford knew they could charge more for it. I am not going to say if the steering change indeed changes the character of the car because without driving similarly setup cars back to back is probably hard to say anything. My guess is that 2020s do indeed tramline less by looking at the suspension geometry changes as well as the recommended alignment settings for a 2020 vs 2019.

Agreed that the 2019 MY got updated anti-lock brakes but FP also revised the standard adaptive dampers along with updating the stability control and steering system for the 2019 MY.

With respect to the 2020 R model price increase and subsequent discussions with FP I was told that the price increase for the R was largely due to the steering rack improvements that were adopted from the 2020 GT500 but also agree that being the 2020 being the last model year Ford decided to add a price increase to the MSRP as well.

Your guess about the 2020 R's having less tramlining chararcteristics than prior years is indeed correct as I ahve driven my 2018 R and 2020 R back to back many times and there was clearly an improvement in that area for the last model year R.

In addition the clutch spring feel in my 2018 R was totally different than that of my 2020 R which was somewhat surprising.

 

[fpa1974]

In addition the clutch spring feel in my 2018 R was totally different than that of my 2020 R which was somewhat surprising.

2019 R (at least mine) has no clutch spring. It feels a lot better than my old 2017 which had one. Check your 2020 and see if it has one. It might not.

 

[Wildcardfox]

My non R 350 tramlined so much worse than my ZLE its crazy. This is a 305 front/325 rear. I know it’s a different car, but i am not as quick to lay blame straight to the width now. But can i explain further? Lol nope

Suspension geometry plays a huge factor in it. Case in point, I also own a 2019 PP2, it has the same front tires as my GT350R, and it almost does not tramline at all. Different geometry, will those big 305s grab on a rough road, sure, but it’s not as bad. Still big rubber on the front wheels will have a tendancy to tramline, just the facts of the game and it can get worse or better depending on the vehicles geometry. The 500 changed the geometry which helped to eliminate the tramline issue, the 2020 GT350R got that revised geometry.

 

[Zuess765]

My 2020 HEPR still tramlines quite a bit although not as bad as my 2018 base 350. Also, in terms of changes for 2019 and 2020 I recall that the block was updated to the 500 block and essentially its the Gen 2 350 engine which some think has more horsepower.

 

[UnhandledException]

My 2020 HEPR still tramlines quite a bit although not as bad as my 2018 base 350. Also, in terms of changes for 2019 and 2020 I recall that the block was updated to the 500 block and essentially its the Gen 2 350 engine which some think has more horsepower.

Is the updated block only for 2020?

 

[fpa1974]

Is the updated block only for 2020?

Some late 2018s might have had it. 2019 and 2020 for sure.

 

[stanglife]

My 16R tramlined pretty badly and then I swapped to PS4S tires on that car and it almost completely went away.
My 20R tramlines a lot less - it's probably similar to how my 16R was when I went with the PS4S tires, but of course the 20 is still on SC2s.

These cars are overkill for most owners in so many areas....so people pay for performance that they will not likely tap into, especially on the street. The reason to have the 20R is to have even more stuff that you may and may not notice. Have the last and best version/revision available for a model run is why it is valued a little higher. If that matters to you, then you know all about it. If you buy a 2016R and never drive a 2020R (maybe even if you did drive one) - you should be completely content.

 

[UnhandledException]

My 16R tramlined pretty badly and then I swapped to PS4S tires on that car and it almost completely went away.
My 20R tramlines a lot less - it's probably similar to how my 16R was when I went with the PS4S tires, but of course the 20 is still on SC2s.

These cars are overkill for most owners in so many areas....so people pay for performance that they will not likely tap into, especially on the street. The reason to have the 20R is to have even more stuff that you may and may not notice. Have the last and best version/revision available for a model run is why it is valued a little higher. If that matters to you, then you know all about it. If you buy a 2016R and never drive a 2020R (maybe even if you did drive one) - you should be completely content.

I am not going to drive it close to the limit but I can tell you my gt350 (2017) has a decent amount of body roll and instability taking turns in canyon road type driving. Its considerable that I dont drive this car the way I drive the ZR1 or GT3RS. I want this car to be a more practical manual GT3 that I am not afraid of leaving outside if that makes sense. I cant have a $200k manual GT3 but I can have a $80k GT350R. I always admired how daily liveable GT350 was. It rides really smooth but time has come that I now have to add a 4th car as my kid has grown up and we got into biking/camping which I simply cant make it work with GT350. So the plan is to get out of the 2017 into a 2020 R and another family car.

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