Test Drive

[marks]

I'm 90% certain i'm going to get the Mustang (i've always wanted one) but I want to test drive it first. However, all this time waiting has meant I've started looking at other cars for similar prices - such as the BMW M235i and Porsche Cayman. But then you look at the numbers/specifications and the Mustang just seems to destroy them on ever count - the BMW doesn't even come with a limited slip differential and looks like the other million BMWs!!

Don't get me wrong I love my M3 (although looking to sell it soon, to afford the new car) but are the German manufacturers just playing on their badge too much now? Or am i being unfair and need to test drive the Mustang, 235i and Cayman first before making a judgement? Anyone got any experience on the 235i and Cayman? How do Ford appear to destroy the competition on specs and price, is it economies of scale, that the German manufacturers are ripping people off or just cost saving on interior etc etc?

Sorry if I'm rattling on but it's Sunday evening and I'm in a contemplative mood! Thanks

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[benanderson89]

When it comes to the 2-series, get the 220i. Its cheaper by a whopping £6,000 and you'll get the most underrated BMW from the entire Marque. The 220i just feels right for some strange reason.

As for the M235i - its an excellent car, but I agree that it's just not worth the money. With a turbo 6 under the bonnet yet no LSD and an asking price so high whilst still pushing some hard plastics inside, it really is BMW just pushing their brand name to the extreme.

If it was between the EcoBoost and the 220i, I'd say give the 220i some strong looks but don't rule out the EcoBoost. Between the GT and 325i, get the GT without second thought.

When it comes to the Cayman, you're looking at around £39,000 for the base model and £34,000 for the Mustang GT.

The reason why the Porsche appears reasonably cheap despite the badge is because the base model comes with a relatively slow 2.7L boxer 6 engine. You'll get the same 0-60s as a Mustang EcoBoost and it'll be slaughtered by a GT in a straight line. It'll out-corner a GT, though, given it weighs nearly half a tonne less. Guy at my Gym has a Cayman S and it really is a sweet machine - but unless you have stupid money to spend (£48k+), I'd avoid the Cayman.

The reason why the Mustang is so cheap is because they've saved money on the interior and exterior. It's no better than a Fiesta in terms of material quality, fit and finish on the inside, and the outside uses a lot of cheap-and-cheerful steel with very little aluminium. The money saved means better drive components like suspension and a diff as well as a low asking price.

The BMW has a high(-ish) quality interior with good drive train components, but skips on the Diff and fancy suspension etc. where the Porsche uses high quality everything - hence why the Good Caymans start with the Cayman S for the price of two Mustangs.

I say, if you're okay with having a very nicely designed (it really is very pleasing to the eyes) but fairly average interior, the Mustang would be the best one to get hands down.

I myself was in your shoes before ordering a Mustang and looking at the new gen TT Quattro S-Line and M235i. But the TT is a bit vague in how it drives whilst the BMW is frighteningly boring to look at.

I was recently in the States and saw a Mustang GT on Display in a Mall (Ross Park, PA) - the looks alone sell it.

 

[marks]

Thanks Ben, very comprehensive reply. Like you say, it seems like for the money there is no better value than the GT, as long as your not too bothered about having a top quality interior!

 

[benanderson89]

You're very welcome.

But, of course, go see them in person. I was just giving my view on the subject.

 

[Bushranger]

Hello marks. It might be a bit difficult to get an objective opinion from a mustang forum. However I just saw my first 2015 Mustang on the weekend and its exterior styling is in the stratosphere compared to BMW imo. The interior is beautiful to me. A German guy on the Euro forum reckons the interior is a match to his father's M3 and he drove the M3 to inspect the Mustang. I and my wife were extremely dissapointed by the interior of a new 320i recently. The seats had rock hard side bolsters digging into our kidneys and we are not overweight (for baby boomers). We are all a bit vein, and the Mustang will get 10 times the lookers on the street than the ridiculously overpriced, dull, boring BMW. Photos just cannot capture Mustang's multidimensional curves, hips and powerful presence. Please don't get offended, I see you drive a better style BMW than average. Go see one (in Europe maybe). Good luck.

 

[Monty]

Personally, I don't think there's much to be gained by deluding myself into thinking this car is a premium/quality product in the same way a BMW is. The fit and finish of the cars I've seen are nowhere near the level a premium German brand. But it’s not completely dire either, just ‘normal’ or ‘Ford level’. I’m telling myself it’s all part of the cars ‘character’; more ‘blue collar’ than a status/wealth symbol. If they had used expensive materials and taken it upmarket, I’m sure we’d all moan about the price. I'm not even going to think about build quality. There are so many other positives to focus on. I just hope I don’t have to eat those words if it starts falling to bits!

 

[deep south]

You need to compare the prices of these vehicles in the US to make sense of it. I remember about 30 odd years ago in the UK when the BMW was seen as a competitor to the Ford Escort, until they decided to go "up market".... which they succeeded in doing!

I agree with Monty; I am not necessarily expecting a "premium" fit and finish, but the general standards of US cars has improved over the years - just based on the range of cars I have hired over there.

I think it will be "interesting" to get a really detailed look at the mustang when it does finally arrive... only then can you really do a "value" comparison.

And one factor might just be the huge profits that BMW make, compared to what Ford makes world wide...

 

[Leeky]

If you are desperate to drive one you could do what I did; take a holiday to the US and rent one :ford:

I had a 2.3 Ecoboost vert for a week. The only thing I didnt like was the engine note, but im going V8 so thats covered.

 

[croyde]

After placing my deposit after I convinced myself that spending £33k on a new car was ok, I did look around and was surprised at what that amount of money could almost get you.

I too looked at the M235i and was impressed. Specced with the same toys as the Mustang, ie not much, it came out at around £35k but my biggest problem with it is was that it would look just like all the other BMWs on the road these days whilst the Mustang will be stared at by even non car enthusiasts.

Add the V8 and the sound, it's a no brainer and I've always wanted the Ford Pony Car.

 

[Monty]

After placing my deposit after I convinced myself that spending £33k on a new car was ok, I did look around and was surprised at what that amount of money could almost get you.

I know. I've only ever spent about 10K on a car so never had reason to even look in the £30K+ region. Having now done so, there's loads of nice cars.

As purely an 'appliance' I honestly don’t think the Mustang is overly competitive (although that's the opposite of what I keep telling myself). Being a Ford, it also doesn't have the prestige to most people, which is often what they want when spending that amount of money.

The decision to buy one seems down to a relatively strong personal preference. I’m still undecided about what that says about my character. I’ve never really thought of myself as someone that wants to drive around thinking “look at me”, but the evidence seems to suggest otherwise!

 

[Stark]

For me I don't care about the look at me factor the car might come with, I am buying the car because since I can remember I have always loved American muscle cars especially the mustang. Always said to myself "one day you will own one" and the 24th October will be the day I do . I want to have fun and put a smile on my face when driving or even just looking out of the window at it lol and this car will definitely help me achieve just that

 

[SteveS]

I love my BMW, indeed my intention is to keep it; I know how good they can be but there is not a BMW that I would rather have than the Mustang. There's not any car I would rather have.

This is a purely heart-based decision. It's not me at all. I'm of the school of thought that considers new cars an immediate waste of money but I can't waste it fast enough on this occasion

My cautious nature is however what is going to stop me modding it to death, and the "look at me" perception makes me more than a little nervous. Don't want traffic cops and car thieves looking at me at all

 

[avocet]

For me I don't care about the look at me factor the car might come with, I am buying the car because since I can remember I have always loved American muscle cars especially the mustang. Always said to myself "one day you will own one" and the 24th October will be the day I do . I want to have fun and put a smile on my face when driving or even just looking out of the window at it lol and this car will definitely help me achieve just that

Exactly how I feel, however, be prepared for the attention it will generate, and the idiots that want to drive up your arse and cut you up!

 

[Teezlr]

The m235i next to the GT is not attractive in my opinion, although it has a great refinement to the chassis, fit and finish... if you put value on value... the mustang is an amazing choice

 

[Monty]

My cautious nature is however what is going to stop me modding it to death, and the "look at me" perception makes me more than a little nervous. Don't want traffic cops and car thieves looking at me at all

Same here. No more picking up ladyboys and having an anonymous handy j by the side of the road I suppose. ;)

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