Test drove E92 M3, M4, M235i and Mustang. Found my next car!

m4a1mustang · 03-25-2015, 08:16 PM

The e92 M3 CP is an excellent choice! What a car!

One thing to note about the Mustang... the automatic (which you drove) is not available with the Performance Package which includes all of the necessary performance features outside of the engine like dampers, tires, steering/traction/stability calibration, etc. What you drove is basically the "cruiser" version of the car.

There is a massive difference between the non PP and PP Mustangs, much like with the previous generation. I would certainly not be happy with a non-PP car.

RoshDawg · 03-25-2015, 10:04 PM

I absolutely know what you mean. The main thing for me with the PP is the better gearing. The poor gearing in the non PP was the reason for that 430hp feeling slow. Also, Ford is not known for their auto trans so that took away from some of the feeling as well. The mustang was a very comfortable place to be in though. Seats were great and cooled my butt to sub zero temperatures lol. Apple Carplay and new sync system next year will certainly be a welcome addition too.

Your '16 is gonna be amazing. Premier trim, sync 3, PP manual. I know you're gonna love it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

The e92 M3 CP is an excellent choice! What a car!

One thing to note about the Mustang... the automatic (which you drove) is not available with the Performance Package which includes all of the necessary performance features outside of the engine like dampers, tires, steering/traction/stability calibration, etc. What you drove is basically the "cruiser" version of the car.

There is a massive difference between the non PP and PP Mustangs, much like with the previous generation. I would certainly not be happy with a non-PP car.

P's_Z · 03-25-2015, 10:19 PM

Man oh man i love M3s, especially in white! If i was to trade in my Z, this would be a solid replacement. I know very little about these cars, so the only thing i would be looking into would be reliability, altough i assume you might have done that already.

RoshDawg · 03-26-2015, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P's_Z

Man oh man i love M3s, especially in white! If i was to trade in my Z, this would be a solid replacement. I know very little about these cars, so the only thing i would be looking into would be reliability, altough i assume you might have done that already.

Ya I was very concerned about reliability. Fortunately the S65 engine is truly amazing. Got international engine of the year award consecutively from 2008-2012 for V8's. I'm also gonna take it in to a indie BMW shop to check everything and get anything fixed under bumper to bumper warranty. Not to mention sending in oil for analysis.

P's_Z · 03-26-2015, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg

Ya I was very concerned about reliability. Fortunately the S65 engine is truly amazing. Got international engine of the year award consecutively from 2008-2012 for V8's. I'm also gonna take it in to a indie BMW shop to check everything and get anything fixed under bumper to bumper warranty. Not to mention sending in oil for analysis.

Sounds like a plan then

Hope you enjoy her

DavidZ370 · 03-26-2015, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

The e92 M3 CP is an excellent choice! What a car!

One thing to note about the Mustang... the automatic (which you drove) is not available with the Performance Package which includes all of the necessary performance features outside of the engine like dampers, tires, steering/traction/stability calibration, etc. What you drove is basically the "cruiser" version of the car.

There is a massive difference between the non PP and PP Mustangs, much like with the previous generation. I would certainly not be happy with a non-PP car.

SS>5.0 anyday imho especially when comparing the 1LE and the competition pack from the 5.0 wish the OP test drove the SS.

m4a1mustang · 03-27-2015, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidZ370

SS>5.0 anyday imho especially when comparing the 1LE and the competition pack from the 5.0 wish the OP test drove the SS.

Ignoring whatever your personal preference on Ford vs. Chevy might be, I think it all depends on perspective. To me the GT PP is the far better street and daily driving car. Its got more stuff, it's nicer inside, and the suspension is set up very well for the street. It's a bit soft on track.

The 1LE is basically the track day car of the pair. Its got a serious track oriented shock and tire package right off the showroom floor, which the Mustang doesn't have. I'd rather drive the stock 1LE on track and daily drive the GT.

Its obvious to me Ford is leaving some room on the table to be filled by future variants. If you simply upgrade the shocks and tires the GTPP will be running with or out running the 1LE on track. The GT350 will take care of this (and then some), but the GT is still a really good everyday sports car.

So yes, the 1LE definitely outperforms the GTPP on track, but in my view it is not as nice of a car to live with on the day to day.

UNKNOWN_370 · 03-27-2015, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Ignoring whatever your personal preference on Ford vs. Chevy might be, I think it all depends on perspective. To me the GT PP is the far better street and daily driving car. Its got more stuff, it's nicer inside, and the suspension is set up very well for the street. It's a bit soft on track.

The 1LE is basically the track day car of the pair. Its got a serious track oriented shock and tire package right off the showroom floor, which the Mustang doesn't have. I'd rather drive the stock 1LE on track and daily drive the GT.

Its obvious to me Ford is leaving some room on the table to be filled by future variants. If you simply upgrade the shocks and tires the GTPP will be running with or out running the 1LE on track. The GT350 will take care of this (and then some), but the GT is still a really good everyday sports car.

So yes, the 1LE definitely outperforms the GTPP on track, but in my view it is not as nice of a car to live with on the day to day.

Despite what your preferences are toward Ford. Until it's done? It's not fact. And you're talking modded vs stock, two different entities... Also,It's just opinion. The C6 is coming and the advantages are already there...
Theres a possible turbo6 camaro coming as well as the new gen v8 Just the fact that the 1LE can do what it does for about $38k STOCK cant be argued with.
That said, I'm sure ford doesn't want to put out anything too aggressive in light of them not having seen what the next gen camaro will do. 2017 will be ford's year to really show what this new platform can do. The new mustang is an attractive package in the right color and configuration. Though i expected more in terms of styling and weight. I think they did a decent job of giving mustang fans what they want. The eco-boost needs more umph though and the price is astronomically expensive whenloaded. Ford needs to repackage the ecoboost to top out at $33,000 and add another 40hp to offset the stangs bloated weight.

m4a1mustang · 03-27-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

Despite what your preferences are toward Ford. Until it's done? It's not fact. And you're talking modded vs stock, two different entities... Also,It's just opinion. The C6 is coming and the advantages are already there...
Theres a possible turbo6 camaro coming as well as the new gen v8 Just the fact that the 1LE can do what it does for about $38k STOCK cant be argued with.
That said, I'm sure ford doesn't want to put out anything too aggressive in light of them not having seen what the next gen camaro will do. 2017 will be ford's year to really show what this new platform can do. The new mustang is an attractive package in the right color and configuration. Though i expected more in terms of styling and weight. I think they did a decent job of giving mustang fans what they want. The eco-boost needs more umph though and the price is astronomically expensive whenloaded. Ford needs to repackage the ecoboost to top out at $33,000 and add another 40hp to offset the stangs bloated weight.

I think you're missing my point. I'm not comparing modded vs. stock, per se, I'm just pointing out that the 1LE is a much more track focused package than the GT's Performance Package, which is really a street setup. Almost everyone that takes the GT PP on track says it's a little soft, but on the street it feels just right. On the other hand, the 1LE feels just right on track and is a little rough on the street. That's all.

If the GT had a 1LE package it would not be using the shocks or tires that the PP gives it.

As far as a personal preference towards Ford? I don't have one. I have absolutely no brand allegiance. I buy what I like. If the next generation Camaro appeals to me maybe I'll buy it? All I know is whatever you get from me is as unbiased as I can make it.

UNKNOWN_370 · 03-27-2015, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I think you're missing my point. I'm not comparing modded vs. stock, per se, I'm just pointing out that the 1LE is a much more track focused package than the GT's Performance Package, which is really a street setup. Almost everyone that takes the GT PP on track says it's a little soft, but on the street it feels just right. On the other hand, the 1LE feels just right on track and is a little rough on the street. That's all.

If the GT had a 1LE package it would not be using the shocks or tires that the PP gives it.

As far as a personal preference towards Ford? I don't have one. I have absolutely no brand allegiance. I buy what I like. If the next generation Camaro appeals to me maybe I'll buy it? All I know is whatever you get from me is as unbiased as I can make it.

Understood, but what it is though, if Ford brands a performance package, it's going to be paired up against the competitors comparably priced equivalent. So for a large portion of the market. There instinct is going to say, performance pack vs pp, the 1LE wins. The 1LE is livable on the street, less harsh than a pre 11 Nismo. It's no Z28 in terms of dedication. I think it's fair to say the 1LE is a superior performance package. Because the mustang should have had a street performance package stock.
Its like in 09 when we all felt the sport pkg on the Z fell short of it's named intention. Trust me, my opinions come from a totally unbiased place as well. The i'm not a Ford fan in terms of purchase, I think cars like the 302, Fiesta st and focus ST are amazing machines. Though the 302 eventually fell short to the 1LE as well. Pre-1LE, it was a masterpiece for the price.

03-25-2015, 08:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	The e92 M3 CP is an excellent choice! What a car! One thing to note about the Mustang... the automatic (which you drove) is not available with the Performance Package which includes all of the necessary performance features outside of the engine like dampers, tires, steering/traction/stability calibration, etc. What you drove is basically the "cruiser" version of the car. There is a massive difference between the non PP and PP Mustangs, much like with the previous generation. I would certainly not be happy with a non-PP car. RoshDawg likes this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

03-25-2015, 10:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
P's_Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: PR Posts: 1,530 Drives: Zeta Rep Power: 469	Man oh man i love M3s, especially in white! If i was to trade in my Z, this would be a solid replacement. I know very little about these cars, so the only thing i would be looking into would be reliability, altough i assume you might have done that already. __________________ Zeta

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