[AlexCirci]

Idk if it is just me... but if you went with a 350R.. at end of the day.. you are still in a Mustang. I get its a raw power hungry machine, but when I go out with friends or women, the BMW leaves a better lasting impression. It's more classy, elegant, and to the average non-car enthusiasts eye, it's "luxury".

Plus the Mustang scene is just god awful, I could never justify owning one having to deal with the people that come along with it.

[F87LUV]

Originally Posted by AlexCirc

Idk if it is just me... but if you went with a 350R.. at end of the day.. you are still in a Mustang. I get its a raw power hungry machine, but when I go out with friends or women, the BMW leaves a better lasting impression. It's more classy, elegant, and to the average non-car enthusiasts eye, it's "luxury".

Plus the Mustang scene is just god awful, I could never justify owning one having to deal with the people that come along with it.

Actually to non enthusiasts, it's just a two series. Some misinformed people might say it's the "cheapest" BMW you can buy.

[ynotony]

Originally Posted by F87LUV

Actually to non enthusiasts, it's just a two series. Some misinformed people might say it's the "cheapest" BMW you can buy.

And those same non enthusiasts would look at a 350R and see a generic Hertz rental car.

[BurpZilla]

I remember reading somewhere one of the car mags saying the Ford GT 350R is one of the most epic cars ever...and if you were to get it...enjoy it until the bolts fall off. :-)

[M-Pilot]

This comparison doesn't really mean much to me since these two cars are not in the same league. Just because they are in the same price range (in the US) doesn't mean that they are positioned against each other. GT350R is a totally different monster. I would take even GT350 over any BMW. However, I don't think there are many people debating between buying an M2 or a GT350R. I'm sure almost all M2 buyers are/will be extremely satisfied with their purchase.

[scoobysaurus]

Originally Posted by AlexCirc

Idk if it is just me... but if you went with a 350R.. at end of the day.. you are still in a Mustang. I get its a raw power hungry machine, but when I go out with friends or women, the BMW leaves a better lasting impression. It's more classy, elegant, and to the average non-car enthusiasts eye, it's "luxury".

Plus the Mustang scene is just god awful, I could never justify owning one having to deal with the people that come along with it.

Sigh.. This is proof of why people think of us BMW owners as badge wh***s. It's a good thing not all of us share such views.

Originally Posted by F87LUV

Actually to non enthusiasts, it's just a two series. Some misinformed people might say it's the "cheapest" BMW you can buy.

THIS. In fact the 1 and 2 series here in Dubai are on par, if not cheaper than a comparable Mustang, don't even have half the respect or road presence of a Mustang or Camaro on the streets, and owners are seen as "those that couldn't afford a real BMW". Is that true? Of course not! Stereotypes exist for every car. Haters gonna hate - I for one love both the GT350 and the M2 - in fact I think they'd make great stablemates!

[AlexCirci]

Originally Posted by scoobysaurus

Sigh.. This is proof of why people think of us BMW owners as badge wh***s. It's a good thing not all of us share such views.

No badge wh*** here. I have respect for all enthusiast cars and for the 350R as it is one hell of a machine. But come over to the states and hang with some Mustang owners... I think your views would change dramatically.

[F87LUV]

Originally Posted by AlexCirc

No badge wh*** here. I have respect for all enthusiast cars and for the 350R as it is one hell of a machine. But come over to the states and hang with some Mustang owners... I think your views would change dramatically.

It's not a prerequisite to join a mustang forum or hang out with other mustang drivers just because you drive one. . I'll take a new "Eleanor" any day.

[F87LUV]

Originally Posted by scoobysaurus

THIS. In fact the 1 and 2 series here in Dubai are on par, if not cheaper than a comparable Mustang, don't even have half the respect or road presence of a Mustang or Camaro on the streets, and owners are seen as "those that couldn't afford a real BMW". Is that true? Of course not! Stereotypes exist for every car. Haters gonna hate - I for one love both the GT350 and the M2 - in fact I think they'd make great stablemates!

Funny thing is my 335 that everyone around here also looks down on, as a "cheap" BMW since its only a "3" series, had a sticker 2k higher than my M2. But also, aren't Ferraris the taxi cabs over there? 1/2 is what the sheep herder might drive.

Also, in the Middle East, we all know that if you drive an American muscle car, you must be ballin', at least that's the case in Jordan.

[Mik3ymomo]

Originally Posted by AlexCirc

No badge wh*** here. I have respect for all enthusiast cars and for the 350R as it is one hell of a machine. But come over to the states and hang with some Mustang owners... I think your views would change dramatically.

Move off the Plantation and come to civilization with the rest of the city folk. Bring your Teal BMW; We will save you from those knuckle dragging southern Mustang owners lol.

[SCBMW02]

Have owned E36, E46 and E92 M3 along with M Roadster and z4 35is. Done schools and the M3 program at the ring. Best friend is instructor at Performance Center. I have been a BMW guy since I saw the 3.0 CSL at Road Atlanta in1975! You could not have given me an American car!
I was set to get the M4, but wanted to wait to see what the M2 was like. Then a year ago I saw a video of the GT 350 testing on the ring. I like the look of the 2015 Mustang so the more I read the more I liked the Shelby. This is not a muscle car. This was designed with the 911 in mind. My local dealer got 2 for 2016 and I picked it up last week.
Not broken in, but the look, the steering, the finish, very European. And the sound!! M2, please! This car gets more looks than any M car I ever owned. And for 58k, well, decision was easy as the M 4 was over 80k! Sure, it's just a Mustang, but lower, meaner than any Mustang GT. I too once scoffed at poor handling Mustangs with shitty interiors, well this is not that.

[csbear]

As OP said, GT350 might be a closer match. The GT350R comparison is not even fair and completely unnecessary by TopGear. The GT350R is on a different level than the M2. I love the M2, but it is not a comparable car. Not sure what they are trying to prove, plus any idiot could see that they would pick the GT350R as the winner even before reading the article or watching a video...so would every other car media on the market. If I could get a GT350R for not too much over MSRP, I wouldn't even think twice.

The GT350R has some serious parts on it: a flat plane crank V8..something that Ferrari knows about, carbon fiber rims that could go for ridiculous money if it were sold by McLaren, MagneRide dampers, etc...

The M2 is a great car by BMW, but the GT350R is one of the best cars ever made by Ford.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by csbear

As OP said, GT350 might be a closer match. The GT350R comparison is not even fair and completely unnecessary by TopGear. The GT350R is on a different level than the M2. I love the M2, but it is not a comparable car. Not sure what they are trying to prove, plus any idiot could see that they would pick the GT350R as the winner even before reading the article or watching a video...so would every other car media on the market. If I could get a GT350R for not too much over MSRP, I wouldn't even think twice.

The GT350R has some serious parts on it: a flat plane crank V8..something that Ferrari knows about, carbon fiber rims that could go for ridiculous money if it were sold by McLaren, MagneRide dampers, etc...

The M2 is a great car by BMW, but the GT350R is one of the best cars ever made by Ford.

It's almost like they are reaching to find fault with the M2. Let's see, comparing it to a 550hp monster specifically made for the track, doing a 0-60 race against an AWD Mercedes in the wet. What's next? A mile race vs a Bugatti? Comparing it's off road capabilities to a Jeep Wrangler? But not just a regular Wrangler, they will test it against a lifted Rubicon.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by classyfast

I know the gt350r is 10-15k more, and I agree the gt350 would have been a better comparison. But that Camaro comparison is right on

Yes it is. But is it because BMW sucks now? Or is it because American cars are finally kicking some ass?

[Rude Boy]

Originally Posted by CERF04ZHP

M4 GTS vs. GT350R is a better contest

I agree especially with the mark-ups (stretch?) of the GT350R, It would be more comparable.

[classyfast]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Try again. The GT350R is 10k more than the M2. Real life prices put at 30-40k more expensive than the M2. What's next? Corvette beats the M2? WTF BMW?

They are not where near 30k more than the m2.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by F87LUV

Actually to non enthusiasts, it's just a two series. Some misinformed people might say it's the "cheapest" BMW you can buy.

Around here a BMW is a BMW. They don't even see series. Someone asked a friend of mine if I was the president of my company because I drove an orange 1M. It cost 48k new. LOL!

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by classyfast

They are not where near 30k more than the m2.

The only two R's that I have seen on cars.com were 100k. I admit that I don't really look(or care). They were random cars.com ads that popped up on a website.

[F87LUV]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Yes it is. But is it because BMW sucks now? Or is it because American cars are finally kicking some ass?

American manufacturers are doing a great job on a lot of their new cars while BMW is more worried about marketing Gigi.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by classyfast

They are not where near 30k more than the m2.

Anyway, need to be clear. I was saying yes it is to the M3 vs camaro being spot on...I was agreeing with you. Lol

[F87LUV]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Around here a BMW is a BMW. They don't even see series. Someone asked a friend of mine if I was the president of my company because I drove an orange 1M. It cost 48k new. LOL!

Not all BMWs are created equal.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by F87LUV

American manufacturers are doing a great job on a lot of their new cars while BMW is more worried about marketing Gigi.

I don't know. I love the M2 and there is no other car I wanted over it. All cars have flaws but for me, the M2 is pretty damn perfect. The Mustang, no matter which one you get is too big for my taste.