Would you rather?

"Mustafaluigi" (mustafaluigi)
06/13/2014 at 17:02 • Filed to: None

Would you rather a 2015 Manual Ecoboost Mustang Premium with 201A Package with EcoBoost Performance Package, Adaptive cruise, Sync with NAV and Recaro Leather Seats for about $38,000 or...

A 2014 228i with the M Sport Package, Driver Assistance Package, Driver Assistance Plus(Adaptive Cruise), Dynamic Handling Package(Adaptive M Suspension), Technology Package(Nav and such), M Sport Brakes and a Manual trans for $42,000.

I bring this up because the Mustang seems pretty pricey. Yeah I have it pretty loaded, but is it BMW nice? It has more power, but I doubt it could handle as well as the BMW with all the M suspension bits.

DISCUSSION (17)

Audi-os, Amigos! > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:05

Interesting question. I personally don't see the point in a Mustang that expensive unless you're getting a GT500 or something.

The Mustang's ethos is the affordable muscle car, the young pugilist that punches up from its weight class. Not a $40k BMW-fighter.

Saracen > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:05

228i.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:06

Hmmm... Well... Since I live in Norway I'd rather have the BMW. BUT, if I lived somewhere else (the US or something) I'm not sure really.. No, actually, I AM sure. If I lived in the US I'd've chosen the Mustang.

ly2v8-Brian > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:07

I'll take the 2 series in esotril blue thank you.

lonestranger > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:09

I was going to say BMW, but that is a $4000 difference. I assume from it's absence that still doesn't include leather on the BMW.

Hmm...

Also, screw the leather, Nav, Sync, adaptive cruise & all that crap and get a GT for less.

Garrett Davis > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:13

I choose the Ecoboost but with just the cloth Recaros and performance pack for ~10k less.

Mustafaluigi > Audi-os, Amigos!
06/13/2014 at 17:15

But even as a stripped down car it is priced at a level that includes WRX, BRZ, and GTI. Cars that I would take over a Ecoboost Mustang. Would I take it over an FoST? Probably, since I would hope that the performance would be similar and I would rather the RWD and more power. But at $26,000 stripped down you start to approach 30k very quickly with options that seem almost needed. Performance package? Yes. Recaros? Yes, if they are as good as people make them out to be in the ST, and you can get them without MFT too. At this point you are talking almost 30K. Is that still affordable?

PS9 > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:15

'M suspension bits' didn't really help the E92 put a respectable enough gap between it and the big dumb 'murican live axle muscle car last time, and this one has IRS now. The handling gap will be even more narrow this time.

With that said, the 4er is more like the Mustang in terms of size and weight, but people don't disqualify potential competitors in ways that are inconvenient to their desires and money that way. Why pick the 2? Because as a wise man once said, "That badge is worth it's weight in Mur". It is the 400 lb lighter 2015 mustang everyone was lusting over available right now, and it will have better interior stuff. But you seem to be paying for every advantage on the trade, and it's not like you aren't losing anything in the process.

Why pick the horse? Because good luck getting anything with 8 cylinders and a manual from bavaria without spending enough money to buy a mustang for you and your friend + enough left over to go on a nice intrastate vacation with them. Because not even an M2 will be as quick as the GT, because BMW money will soon be able to buy supercar power and speeds if spend on a lowly mustang. Given all that though, it's still not a BMW and never will be. So which do you pick?

Mustafaluigi > lonestranger
06/13/2014 at 17:16

I tried to get them similarly equipped and adding all that crap is needed as the 201A comes with it. The BMW comes with that fake leather stuff.

Walfisch > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:22

I'm curious as to why are these two cross-shopped. Is it because of the engine + same number of doors and drivetrain?

As much as I like the 2015 Mustang, I tend to lean more on the luxury segment, so for argument sake I'll go with the beemer, but I'll trim the add-ons.

Mustafaluigi > PS9
06/13/2014 at 17:24

At this price and equipment level? BMW. Strip the fancy stuff and put just the Performance and Recaros in the Stang against a Base 228? Mustang, base BMWs arent that nice, and the higher performance of the Mustang will beat it out. Not even counting the slightly lower price of 30K to 32K.

But honestly take a base GT, throw the same performance bits at it and take all of the fancy nav and cruise stuff off both. I would take the GT at 37K compared to the lowly 228i at 38K. The performance would completely take care of the slight "luxury" the base BMW has.

lone_liberal > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:27

The list prices make it look interesting, but once the initial excitements fades you'll probably be able to get a pretty good discount from MSRP on the Mustang. Add in cheaper maintenance and the value proposition starts to look better for the wild horse. That's just value, though, personal preference counts for a lot when you're buying a car and actually sitting in them and driving them will be the final deciding factor.

Mustafaluigi > Walfisch
06/13/2014 at 17:27

A nicely equipped 2 door RWD car with adequate power and a manual transmission. A 228i fits the bill and since throwing the options book at the ecoboost gets you similar levels of nice all for "about" the same price. You actually have to add things to a base 228 to get it similarly equipped such as the Nav and adaptive cruise.

Textured Soy Protein > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:27

For my $42k worth of 228i M Sport, I would...

Remove: Dynamic handling package (variable steering sucks and the M Sport already has uprated suspension), driver assistance packages, tech package

Add: premium package, cold weather package, lighting package

I prefer things that are "nice" (power seats, sunroof, dimming mirrors, heated seats, better headlights, etc) over things that are annoying gadgets.

Walfisch > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:34

Would a '15 GT premium then be a better comparison for the 228i? I configured one on the standard GT trim, but I'd imagine it would be closer on the price range of the BMW if said package is added.

Reborn Pyrrhic > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:55

Mustang.

N51fanatic > Mustafaluigi
06/13/2014 at 17:58

BMW duh, because rustang