///MustangS550
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2018
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 33
- Location
- Cincinnati
- First Name
- Mike
- Vehicle(s)
- 18 Mustang GT
- Thread starter
- #1
After leaving a quick post in the introduce yourself thread I felt compelled to share some photos and impressions of the 2018 Mustang GT from a Ford newbie. Warning, this will more than likely be long.
TLDR: Bought a Mustang. I love it.
I've worked, and still do, with BMW for over 14 years. It's really all I've driven, modded, wrenched, tracked, everything. However, there was always a little bug in my ear when it came to the Mustang. I suppose I can blame Nicolas Cage and Eleanor but that seems a bit too cliche even though I watched that scene hundreds of times. Something about the looks and styling always hit a high note for me. After changing a significant amount of things for 2018 I decided there was no better time than now to take a dive into the world of Mustang.
I did some research about the different options, packages and differences in the MY18. While silly to some I wanted a new car. Like, brand new. It would be my first non company car that has the "new car" scent. I also didn't want to order it. Only because I'm not patient and a local dealer had one that checked all of my boxes.
Magnetic/Cloth, 6sp, PP, 12" Sync3, Active Exhaust and Magneride. I'm exposing my ignorance here as I'm not sure if some are inclusive or not with packages but those were my must haves. As if it was meant to be I walked up to stock #180162 and knew I wanted it. Odo read 3 miles, smelled new and had what I wanted... I drove away in it an hour later.
I did the customary drive around town all day with a new car smile ear to ear. Varying engine speed and load. Taking it easy on the clutch. Bedding in the brakes. While not necessary it's habit after countless engine rebuilds, clutch replacements and brake jobs on project/track cars.
This engine reminds me of the S65 from BMW. (08-13 M3s) -- While it's not as high strung and makes loads more torque it loves to rev. I fully expected a grunt of a motor with an abrupt power delivery that then falls on its face. Not the case at all. Smooth wave of power all the way to redline. Makes all the right noises too. The motor is amazing.
The transmission is leagues better than BMW. I read about how the M82(?) isn't good, or grindy or whatever, but I prefer this one 10 times over the mop in a bucket feel you get with the E46 M3 for example.
Interior is fine. I purposely set my expectations low for this area and was pleasantly surprised. Didn't buy the car with interior on my mind.
Exterior is so subjective and from what I see a source of controversy so I'll just say I'm a huge huge fan of this one and all S550s from previous years.
Suspension is on point! No where close to as harsh as what I expected and from my brief experience driving the modes with stock springs capable as well as the majority of performance vehicles. I've since added GT350 springs as they're the only ones I can tell that work with the Magneride. After that upgrade I'd say harshness grew 10% while the look and feel while spirited driving grew 30%. Recommend this upgrade for the price all day long.
I also put 25mm wheel spacers in the rear. I wanted to do front, but the exsisting bolts out of the hub contacted the PP wheel. So, I'll have to trim a bit. I would've done it earlier but didn't have a 14x1.5 die at the shop. Black badges and LED reverse light round out the mods for now. Vertical links upgrade will be next.
Yep, I wrote too much. Took some pictures. Mostly close up since the car is filthy right now. Enjoy:
Front Side
6sp
Accelerspeedo
Michelin
Mustang
TLDR: Bought a Mustang. I love it.
I've worked, and still do, with BMW for over 14 years. It's really all I've driven, modded, wrenched, tracked, everything. However, there was always a little bug in my ear when it came to the Mustang. I suppose I can blame Nicolas Cage and Eleanor but that seems a bit too cliche even though I watched that scene hundreds of times. Something about the looks and styling always hit a high note for me. After changing a significant amount of things for 2018 I decided there was no better time than now to take a dive into the world of Mustang.
I did some research about the different options, packages and differences in the MY18. While silly to some I wanted a new car. Like, brand new. It would be my first non company car that has the "new car" scent. I also didn't want to order it. Only because I'm not patient and a local dealer had one that checked all of my boxes.
Magnetic/Cloth, 6sp, PP, 12" Sync3, Active Exhaust and Magneride. I'm exposing my ignorance here as I'm not sure if some are inclusive or not with packages but those were my must haves. As if it was meant to be I walked up to stock #180162 and knew I wanted it. Odo read 3 miles, smelled new and had what I wanted... I drove away in it an hour later.
I did the customary drive around town all day with a new car smile ear to ear. Varying engine speed and load. Taking it easy on the clutch. Bedding in the brakes. While not necessary it's habit after countless engine rebuilds, clutch replacements and brake jobs on project/track cars.
This engine reminds me of the S65 from BMW. (08-13 M3s) -- While it's not as high strung and makes loads more torque it loves to rev. I fully expected a grunt of a motor with an abrupt power delivery that then falls on its face. Not the case at all. Smooth wave of power all the way to redline. Makes all the right noises too. The motor is amazing.
The transmission is leagues better than BMW. I read about how the M82(?) isn't good, or grindy or whatever, but I prefer this one 10 times over the mop in a bucket feel you get with the E46 M3 for example.
Interior is fine. I purposely set my expectations low for this area and was pleasantly surprised. Didn't buy the car with interior on my mind.
Exterior is so subjective and from what I see a source of controversy so I'll just say I'm a huge huge fan of this one and all S550s from previous years.
Suspension is on point! No where close to as harsh as what I expected and from my brief experience driving the modes with stock springs capable as well as the majority of performance vehicles. I've since added GT350 springs as they're the only ones I can tell that work with the Magneride. After that upgrade I'd say harshness grew 10% while the look and feel while spirited driving grew 30%. Recommend this upgrade for the price all day long.
I also put 25mm wheel spacers in the rear. I wanted to do front, but the exsisting bolts out of the hub contacted the PP wheel. So, I'll have to trim a bit. I would've done it earlier but didn't have a 14x1.5 die at the shop. Black badges and LED reverse light round out the mods for now. Vertical links upgrade will be next.
Yep, I wrote too much. Took some pictures. Mostly close up since the car is filthy right now. Enjoy:
Sponsored