Comparison: 2011 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2011 BMW M3 Coupe
No, We're Not Kidding
From the October, 2010 issue of Motor Trend / By Ed Loh / Photography by Brian Vance


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"Now are you high or just stupid? An M3 against a Mustang GT? On a racetrack? Seriously, son, which one is it? High or stupid?"
Yes, we know how this sounds. And had we suggested this matchup just a few months ago, we would deserve more withering scorn than can be found in a week-long Judge Judy marathon.
Why? Because this Munich versus Motown matchup has never been done before. Not even considered because it just didn't make sense. Sure, the M3 went V-8 in 2008, but that's not the issue. The truth is, the Mustang GT was never good enough to challenge Bavaria's finest. That is, until now.

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Your doubt is understandable, but check the specs. For 2011, both rear-drive, four-seat coupes use all-aluminum V-8 engines with double-overhead camshafts tickling 32 valves. The M3's 4.0-liter carryover makes 414 horsepower at 8300 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3900 rpm. The Mustang's all new 5.0-liter V-8 cranks out 412 ponies at 6500 rpm and 390 pound-feet at 4250 rpm. But the most compelling number is 0.2: the difference in power-to-weight ratio between the two. The Mustang carries 8.8 pounds per pony to the M3's 8.6. And yet, at the test track, the 5.0 equals or betters the M3 in every performance category we measure. Both hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, but the Mustang is faster to the quarter mile by a tenth of a second and 0.7 mph-12.7 seconds at 111.6 mph. It also stops two feet shorter from 60 mph-a tie as far as we're concerned-and the GT really shatters the M myth on the skidpad. America's original ponycar manages to outgrip one of Germany's most iconic sports cars to the tune 0.2 second through our figure eight and by 0.01 g in lateral acceleration.
But the M3 is the better driving car, right? What about the vaunted BMW steering feel, cornering agility, and legendary suspension tuning? Sure, the Mustang's antiquated live rear axle is fine at the strip (and skidpad, apparently), but the M3 must be faster where it counts: on a racetrack, against the clock. Well, hold onto your buts (and butts), because we are about to find out.


Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz0xnRnXyg6

 

It was one hell of a drag race.

 

Its good to see the mustang getting so much love that it could compete with an M3.

 

Agreed! That was a wicked good comparison. a .10 of a second for 25k more. Just means I need to size the beamer dude up a little before I give him the run for his money

 

With the 25K difference you can put some money into the Mustang's suspension and engine..I would like to see the M3 against the new Roush.

 

This is one of the best positive comparisons for the Mustang 5.0 I have seen. This type of review is what will sell more 5.0 2011's for sure.

 

Ok... .10 of a second could just be driver error, yes it won but I would've liked to see maybe 5 passes or so and see if there really is some consistancy with that .10 of a second. Taking just one turn a little bit wide could account for that time difference...

And even if it is consistantly faster the Mustang out performs it pretty much everywhere else, and as mentioned is $25,000 cheaper! Supercharge one and you'll still be saving ~$20,000 and it will absolutely kill the M3 lol.

 

Power adding mods aren't even needed for the 5.0. All it needed was a bit more shock control. My guess? Put some FRPP springs on the GT and watch the M3's lead vanish.

Let's not even bring in the Boss 302. THAT would have been a slaughter.