EB Mustang w/ PP vs. BMW 228i w/ Track Handling Pack vs. Scion FR-S

[trogdor007]

Saw this on another forum from June's issue of Road & Track: http://dropcanvas.com/g8p4m0n67kc1Z2

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[Rogues Gambit]

Wouldn't deter me from an Ecoboost. Hate how you actually have to read the article to see what they ranked it as vs the old way with the tally's, wtf did they change for ><;

 

[angermgmt14]

"None of its body panels line up properly-the driver's door is a good quarter-inch proud of the surrounding body work-and much of the interior is hard, scratchy plastic"

I don't own a Mustang yet, but from what I've read off the forums here I don't agree with the last statement. I test drove an Ecoboost and thought the interior was fine.

 

[Blk2015GT]

I wouldn't put a Scion in the same sentence of comparing to a BMW or S550.

 

[Dave2013M3]

All the complaining about the 228i and yet it won most of the performance aspects of this test. Not to mention they tested the manual not the 8 spd. auto which is even quicker and a no cost option.

I would take the 228i over an EB Mustang.

Dave

 

[valentinoamoro]

All the complaining about the 228i and yet it won most of the performance aspects of this test. Not to mention they tested the manual not the 8 spd. auto which is even quicker and a no cost option.

I would take the 228i over an EB Mustang.

Dave

?? BMW enthusiasts have for years been harping about how performance numbers and objective data don't make a good drivers car (picking on the Yanks with their Brutish 'use power and big sticky tires together to generate high Gs and fast lap times' ala Corvettes and Vipers). However, now that the new M5/M6, 3series, M3/M4, Z4 and it seems even the 2 series are simply fast cars devoid of steering feel, aural feedback and and nuanced handling, suddenly performance numbers matter? I won't even get started on the ugly muscle SUV's they churn out.

 

[Dave2013M3]

?? BMW enthusiasts have for years been harping about how performance numbers and objective data don't make a good drivers car (picking on the Yanks with their Brutish 'use power and big sticky tires together to generate high Gs and fast lap times' ala Corvettes and Vipers). However, now that the new M5/M6, 3series, M3/M4, Z4 and it seems even the 2 series are simply fast cars devoid of steering feel, aural feedback and and nuanced handling, suddenly performance numbers matter? I won't even get started on the ugly muscle SUV's they churn out.

I have my opinion you have yours..thats what they are opinions. I absolutely hate the powerband of the EB 2.3L motor. The BMW motor revs to its 7k redline effortlessly and pulls all the way there. The EB Mustang I drove (probably had 87 octane in it) power dropped off like a cliff after 5500rpm. I will agree with you on the newer BMWs though, however, in this comparison I am taking a 228i over a EB Mustang still.

I currently own 1 BMW, my E92 M3 and 2 Fords...2014 Ford FiST and my wifeys 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L. So its not that I am hating on Ford.

I think the new M3/4 is an outstanding car, but my E92 M3's driving experience is in my opinion better than the new S55 engined F8X cars.

I would take a 5.0L Mustang over the 228i in a heartbeat, not the EB car. This car in my opinion isn't quite ready for primetime.


Dave

 

[wildsailor]

Road & Track detests the Ecoboost Mustang and thought it was only 'tolerable' but 'horribly slow' compared to the 5.0L when they tested the two of them at the race track last year (a 300+ HP car that does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds is horribly slow). The EB was 2 seconds slower in lap speed than the 5.0L. Horribly slow...it does not surprise me in the least.

Regarding the debate of getting an Ecoboost vs. a BMW; come on, really? I paid $28k for my EB Premium 50th Package car. Can I get a BMW for that? How old of a used BMW do I need to go to in order to get one for $28k? I suppose the roundell would look way better at the Country Club parking lot than a prancing horse.

R&T and C&D have been like this since I was a car crazy kid that wanted to read everything. Of course they would rather have the <.............> (fill in the blank with Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Jaguar, or any other unobtanium model) than anything 'lesser' car makers could ever make.

I gave up all car magazines about 10 years ago (Autoweek was the last holdout). Before that C&D and R&T probably 15 years ago. The only ragazine I would trust for an opinion against its true rivals is Autoweek (or Motorweek on PBS). Do the writers there like BMW and Audi? Of course they do, but they would not tell you they would prefer one instead of a 2016 Camaro. Autoweek may say they prefer the GT over the EB but it would be pointed out that one is less expensive than the other and would use less fuel (they probably did a great comparison already but I have not read it....I am just guessing based on their writing style).

 

[valentinoamoro]

I have my opinion you have yours..thats what they are opinions. I absolutely hate the powerband of the EB 2.3L motor. The BMW motor revs to its 7k redline effortlessly and pulls all the way there. The EB Mustang I drove (probably had 87 octane in it) power dropped off like a cliff after 5500rpm. I will agree with you on the newer BMWs though, however, in this comparison I am taking a 228i over a EB Mustang still.

Dave

The engine in the 228 is much better, I will agree. I was surprised by how smooth and powerful they made a turbo charged car feel, although in idle for some reasons those DI engines in the BMW's sound like diesels (not good). Sorry, on re-reading I realize the post came off way stronger than I intended too. I enjoy chatting about cars and can get passionate at times, LOL!

I currently own 1 BMW, my E92 M3 and 2 Fords...2014 Ford FiST and my wifeys 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L. So its not that I am hating on Ford.
Dave

Sorry, I wasnt implying that. Just have noticed Bimmerphiles these days in general extol the virtues of outright performance Vs a good drivers cars. It's a big shift in the dialog, thats all.

I think the new M3/4 is an outstanding car, but my E92 M3's driving experience is in my opinion better than the new S55 engined F8X cars.
Dave

Couldnt agree more.

I would take a 5.0L Mustang over the 228i in a heartbeat, not the EB car. This car in my opinion isn't quite ready for primetime.

Dave

I do agree, the EB engine in particular is not quite there, as the reviewers noted. That said, neither do I feel is the entire new 2 and 3 series architecture and especially the 228i. It's a regression from the last generation.

 

[Dave2013M3]

The engine in the 228 is much better, I will agree. I was surprised by how smooth and powerful they made a turbo charged car feel, although in idle for some reasons those DI engines in the BMW's sound like diesels (not good). Sorry, on re-reading I realize the post came off way stronger than I intended too. I enjoy chatting about cars and can get passionate at times, LOL!


Sorry, I wasnt implying that. Just have noticed Bimmerphiles these days in general extol the virtues of outright performance Vs a good drivers cars. It's a big shift in the dialog, thats all.


Couldnt agree more.


I do agree, the EB engine in particular is not quite there, as the reviewers noted. That said, neither do I feel is the entire new 2 and 3 series architecture and especially the 228i. It's a regression from the last generation.

No sweat man, I think we pretty much agree on everything. I wanted to like the EB Mustang. I would take the V6 over an EB Mustang, even live with the low rent interior.

My brother has a F30 328i Sport and man I am shocked how quick that car is. You are right though it sounded like a John Deere tractor on startup.

Dave

 

[OppoLock]

Dave, was it you that ordered an M235i or someone else on here. Was a forum regular.

I'm surprised by the large amount of negative subjective criticism aimed at the 228i in this article. Common sense would have you thinking that a lighter engine with uprated springs (and shocks with the TP?), brakes, and rubber compound would produce some great things. The M235i gets praise, this one apparently not as much. Must not be as dialed in from the factory as other combinations.

 

[Dave2013M3]

Dave, was it you that ordered an M235i or someone else on here. Was a forum regular.

I'm surprised by the large amount of negative subjective criticism aimed at the 228i in this article. Common sense would have you thinking that a lighter engine with uprated springs (and shocks with the TP?), brakes, and rubber compound would produce some great things. The M235i gets praise, this one apparently not as much. Must not be as dialed in from the factory as other combinations.

Wasn't me, I forgot who though. I'm still in love with my E92 M3..:love:

 

[thehunterooo]

Oh man I wouldn't even consider the other cars compared to the BRZ/FRS because you cant use all that power on the street.

 

[Trackaholic]

I did not expect them to like the Mustang so much better than the 228.

The BRZ/FR-S is a great car, I just wish it had more power.

I did think it was funny for them to point out the poor FE of the Mustang, when even the BRZ got only 16 MPG in their testing. They were clearly driving the cars very hard. I think all will give quite good economy if driven lightly.

I also wonder how the Mustang would have performed if they had kept the V6 available with a performance pack and premium version. I think it would feel better than the EB at high RPMs, which is what this test seemed to be focused on quite a bit.

Nice review with some great photos.

-T

 

[Dave2013M3]

What is interesting is the article mentions the BMW has the best build quality as well as materials and running gear of the trio. I remember the debate about this and I am not surprised by their findings as I agree with them.

Dave

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