[Mavus]

Originally Posted by eye.surgeon

Own a M2C and have driven a GT350. You really need to drive both. They're very different. It will be readily apparent which approach to a performance car you prefer once you drive them both. I found the mustang made an amazing noise but felt heavy and visibility was poor and the shifter was difficult. No disrespect to the car it is amazing and the engine is a marvel.

the engine is a grenading marvel. are you guys aware of all the engine issues?

[M2C-NLUSA]

Originally Posted by Mavus

the engine is a grenading marvel. are you guys aware of all the engine issues?

All is a stretch… there were oil consumption issues with the FPC 5.2 and they were resolved for the most part with the updates in ‘19. It’s a small but very vocal percentage much like the valve issues in the LS7 that got blown wildly out of proportion by a vocal minority.

OP: I too had the same conundrum, they’re both fantastic cars and the reason I went M2C was because the GT350 was no longer in production and I didn’t want to go CPO/used as I was very picky on spec and I couldn’t find what I wanted.

Both are fantastic and the GT350 is the faster car on the track. It sounds incredible as well. Can’t go wrong with either and both are incredible pieces of kit. Kudos to FoMoCo. for making that 8200 rpm screamer. I wish it had lasted longer.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by s1k_RR

I already have the Viper, I meant that im trying to get an something that isn't too similar to it and between 350 and M2C the 350 is closer to what the Viper is: terrible MPG, not a comfy ride, front splitter really low, etc.
Right now finding that M2C is hard tho since Sunset Orange is a rare color, sunroof even rarer and then manual too.

There was a guy on the forums in your area that had m2c sunset orange moonroof MT exec pack he put on Turo. I drove it for a weekend to compare to my regular m2 with DCT. He might still have the car. It also has the auto solutions shift kit.

Animesh is his name on Turo. Just checked looks like it's still there in Sunnyvale. Maybe he'll sell the car. You could rent it for a day and see if you like it.

[Multimodal]

Predictably, if you ask this question on a BMW forum, everyone is going to tell you to get the BMW. But you can also see from some replies that the GT350 has more cross-over with typical European sports car buyers than most American cars. Go post the same question over at Mustang6G.com or TrackMustangsOnline.com and then average out the results. Even better, post it at Rennlist.com and see what Porsche guys say. I bet they tell you GT350, since many GT3 owners also have a GT350.

I had a 2021 M2C on order but I after sleeping on it I changed my mind and, after a circuitous buying process, ended up buying a 2019 GT350, which was my first American sports car.

The GT350 is a special car. It has a model-unique, hand-built, signed engine that revs to 8250 rpm. It is manual transmission-only. It has a different and better transmission (Tremec TR-3160) than other Mustangs (Getrag MT82). You can get it with a carbon fiber dashboard, Recaro seats, no rear seats, even totally stripped with no radio or A/C if you desire. The GT350R is the only production non-supercar to have carbon fiber wheels (be careful parallel parking - they're $20K to replace). It's built for the road course - unlike BMWs, you don't have to change a thing to run it at HPDEs. The list goes on.

The GT350 is also a faster car than a M2C. (I disagree with the poster above who said the M2C has higher limits than a GT350.) The 2016 GT350R ran around VIR in Car & Driver's Lightning Lap tests in 2:51.8. (The 2019-2020 GT350 can probably do it in the same time; the 2021 Mustang Mach 1, which has all the GT350 transmission and suspension bits but without the Voodoo engine, did it in 2:51.4.) The M2C did it in 2:59.7. The new M3 Competition xDrive, which is an incredible car even if you don't like the styling, did it in 2:53.5. The GT350 is faster. It's as fast as a Mercedes-AMG GT S, 991 Turbo S, or Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggara. Same thing at the Nurburgring - the GT350 is 10 seconds faster than a M2C around the 'Ring. The GT350 is only 2 seconds behind the M5 CS around the 'Ring. It's fast.

The main reason I personally chose to go GT350 instead of M2C was that the M2C has the classic BMW interior and feel. If you've driven BMWs from the late 1990s when the E46 was introduced through the end of the F-series in the late 2010s, the M2C will feel very familiar. Personally, I was ready for something new. I had already experienced a G-series interior with my 2019 X5 and I wasn't eager to spend $60K on what felt like going backwards to an F-series interior. And if I was OK with that, the F80 M3 interior is just so much nicer than the F87 M2C that I would have been shopping for a pre-owned M3. But that's me. If you haven't driven BMWs as long as I have, you may like the F87 M2C.

[nismosao]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

Predictably, if you ask this question on a BMW forum, everyone is going to tell you to get the BMW. But you can also see from some replies that the GT350 has more cross-over with typical European sports car buyers than most American cars. Go post the same question over at Mustang6G.com or TrackMustangsOnline.com and then average out the results. Even better, post it at Rennlist.com and see what Porsche guys say. I bet they tell you GT350, since many GT3 owners also have a GT350.

I had a 2021 M2C on order but I after sleeping on it I changed my mind and, after a circuitous buying process, ended up buying a 2019 GT350, which was my first American sports car.

The GT350 is a special car. It has a model-unique, hand-built, signed engine that revs to 8250 rpm. It is manual transmission-only. It has a different and better transmission (Tremec TR-3160) than other Mustangs (Getrag MT82). You can get it with a carbon fiber dashboard, Recaro seats, no rear seats, even totally stripped with no radio or A/C if you desire. The GT350R is the only production non-supercar to have carbon fiber wheels (be careful parallel parking - they're $20K to replace). It's built for the road course - unlike BMWs, you don't have to change a thing to run it at HPDEs. The list goes on.

The GT350 is also a faster car than a M2C. (I disagree with the poster above who said the M2C has higher limits than a GT350.) The 2016 GT350R ran around VIR in Car & Driver's Lightning Lap tests in 2:51.8. (The 2019-2020 GT350 can probably do it in the same time; the 2021 Mustang Mach 1, which has all the GT350 transmission and suspension bits but without the Voodoo engine, did it in 2:51.4.) The M2C did it in 2:59.7. The new M3 Competition xDrive, which is an incredible car even if you don't like the styling, did it in 2:53.5. The GT350 is faster. It's as fast as a Mercedes-AMG GT S, 991 Turbo S, or Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggara. Same thing at the Nurburgring - the GT350 is 10 seconds faster than a M2C around the 'Ring. The GT350 is only 2 seconds behind the M5 CS around the 'Ring. It's fast.

The main reason I personally chose to go GT350 instead of M2C was that the M2C has the classic BMW interior and feel. If you've driven BMWs from the late 1990s when the E46 was introduced through the end of the F-series in the late 2010s, the M2C will feel very familiar. Personally, I was ready for something new. I had already experienced a G-series interior with my 2019 X5 and I wasn't eager to spend $60K on what felt like going backwards to an F-series interior. And if I was OK with that, the F80 M3 interior is just so much nicer than the F87 M2C that I would have been shopping for a pre-owned M3. But that's me. If you haven't driven BMWs as long as I have, you may like the F87 M2C.

I also cross shopped the M2C with the GT350. I knew that the mustang was faster in all elements. There were a few things that made me choose the M2C:

The GT350 was no longer in production when I was looking. I would have had to buy used which may have been ok, but everyone was asking a premium and I wasn’t going to pay markup. I just don’t believe in it.

The GT350 looks too similar to regular GTs and those are a dime a dozen around here. My dad has an extremely fast 2020 GT. It just didn’t feel different enough. I have only seen one other M2C on the road. Everyone who sees it has no idea what it is, but always give compliments.

I’ve always loved the M cars, and it was something I wanted since I was a kid.

[Multimodal]

Originally Posted by nismosao

The GT350 looks too similar to regular GTs and those are a dime a dozen around here.

That is probably the biggest negative of the car. It looks like a Mustang from a distance. If you know, up close it’s obvious it’s a Shelby from the front lip, the wide front fenders with vents, the spoiler, the Recaro seats, and in the case of mine the Ford Performance Blue paint, which is not available on regular models. But to most people it’s a Mustang. I struggle with that image issue, and my next car will probably be the new M3 or a Porsche, but for now I remind myself that the driving experience is what really matters.

Originally Posted by nismosao

I’ve always loved the M cars, and it was something I wanted since I was a kid.

That’s all the reason you need to do anything. It’s the reason most of us do what we do. Enjoy it!

[s1k_RR]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

Your car is the exact 350 I'd want, Performance Blue.

Its still a toss up for me since I've had mostly american coupes from the big 3 and want to try something new. To me one of the biggest pluses on the 350 is the vented seats (not recaros). Those are a must, specially when it gets hot in the bay and that season is coming.

[Multimodal]

Originally Posted by s1k_RR

Its still a toss up for me since I've had mostly american coupes from the big 3 and want to try something new. To me one of the biggest pluses on the 350 is the vented seats (not recaros). Those are a must, specially when it gets hot in the bay and that season is coming.

In that case you should get a BMW. Variety is the spice of life. The Golden Gate Chapter of the BMWCCA is very active with driving tours. There's much more a BMW community here than a Shelby one (though that exists too, if you broaden the aperture to NorCal, not just Bay Area).

F87 M2C or M2 CS, F80 M3C or M3 CS - all great options

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by s1k_RR

Your car is the exact 350 I'd want, Performance Blue.

Its still a toss up for me since I've had mostly american coupes from the big 3 and want to try something new. To me one of the biggest pluses on the 350 is the vented seats (not recaros). Those are a must, specially when it gets hot in the bay and that season is coming.

Living in Arizona, I humbly plead for you to make your choice on something other than the availability of ventilated seats.. Ironically, our "beater" car, a Kia Telluride, is the only car we have with ventilated seats. Which, I have to admit, l like. I still drive the Kia as little as possible.

[Multimodal]

Originally Posted by Mavus

the engine is a grenading marvel. are you guys aware of all the engine issues?

The Gen 1 Voodoo has reliability issues, but the Gen 2 (2019+) is regarded as better, if not perfect.

8 year extended warranty from Ford only costs about $3K though, so buy it and send it...

[rcodea]

I was in the same dilemma....after driving the GT350, i decided on the M2C. For me, for the price, i wanted something more refined as a driver. The GT350 Tremec trans and clutch, though strong and mechanical, was overly so...to the point that it made it more a burden than a joy, especially at city speeds. Yes there are 'racecar' problems, but for me, it was enough of a letdown that i decided not to pursue it further.

Same with the new Mach1...was in love with the look and design....underwhelmed with the driving experience compared to a 18 m2.

...ow and add in that my wife, for the first time, didnt like the manual either....and she has NEVER owned an auto....and she stalled the mach1 twice and got far too frustrated.


~Ryan

[///MPhatic]

If I'm honest, I had written off the Mustang for so many years, but these last iterations are just fantastic, and the 6MT literally destroys the M2's. Not sure if it's the same in the 350 as it is the 500, but I would think so. Unfortunately, overall, the Mustang (to me) feels very large, heavy, and loose.

Mustang: sound/trans/super aggressive looks
M2C: size/overall feel (like it's carved out of a single piece of granite)/rarity

[Multimodal]

The GT350 is 6MT only. The GT500 is DCT only. Ford was serious about the idea of designing the cars for different use cases (road race course vs. drag strip).

[Fred Conoway]

Originally Posted by s1k_RR

Looking to get input from those that have had the pleasure of owning both. I'm looking at 18+ GT350 and M2C manual. This will be a daily-ish car, I work from home so no real commute.

I'm all ears! I'm still in the hunt for a Sunset Orange M2C manual + sunroof.

I have the exact spec you're looking for... too bad that I'm not selling!

[s1k_RR]

Originally Posted by Fred Conoway

I have the exact spec you're looking for... too bad that I'm not selling!

Its alright I got an M2C in Sunset Orange last night. Fricken love it! Its a slick top so no sun roof, but i looove the GTS hood.

[Doubledown21]

Originally Posted by s1k_RR

Its alright I got an M2C in Sunset Orange last night. Fricken love it! Its a slick top so no sun roof, but i looove the GTS hood.

That hood looks awesome. Congrats on the new ride!

[Brandt51]

I faced a similar choice. What pushed me towards the M2 was how uncommon they are to include the F22 its based on. You just don't see them all that often.

GT350s on the other hand, might be just as scarce, but they look pretty close to the boring Ecoboost and 5.0 Mustangs. And those are everywhere...sting into crowds and such. If the GT350 looks differentiated more from the regular Stangs, I'd might have been down, but then again, that would take away from being a Mustang to maybe.

I picked the M2 because there were less of them on the road. GT350s are still cool as hell, my decision was for exclusivity and vanity pretty much. Hahah.

[Davil]

These are complementary cars not competitors. Such an entirely different experience and both amazing in their own way. So it's got to come down to use case if you can only have one and not both. The more the use case leans to practicality the more the M2. The more it leans to just being an event the more the GT.

[Swish77]

Originally Posted by Davil

These are complementary cars not competitors. Such an entirely different experience and both amazing in their own way.

This is so true. I wrote the comment below on another thread with a similar question. Interesting how many guys cross-shop the GT350 with the M2C:

I’ve owned two Shelby GT350s, a 2016 and a 2018. A great car, but a very different animal to the M2C.

The Shelby is a massive beast that’s at its best on the open highway, not on twisty back-country roads. The power and roar, and the way it floats at speed, are exhilarating. The heritage and history of the car with its roots in the muscle car era add a very cool dimension to the whole experience. HOWEVER …. It’s a Ford with all those Ford annoyances, including a very cheap-feeling interior.

The M2C is more like a pocket rocket, a smaller, more nimble race car with a great European feel and a much better, more refined interior. It also feels, to me anyway, that it’s got better torque and giddy-up, especially on back-country roads. In a drag race on a straightaway, the Shelby would rule, not that you’d do that. But for my driving in CT, the M2C is much more appropriate and more fun.

Also …. The looks are very different, of course. But that’s subjective. Both cars have beautiful lines, and are appealing for different reasons.

[ESB]

Originally Posted by s1k_RR

Its alright I got an M2C in Sunset Orange last night. Fricken love it! Its a slick top so no sun roof, but i looove the GTS hood.

Yay! Was scrolling through the thread and saw most posts were from several months ago and was gonna ask what the latest was. Congrats on the car and it's so cool you have a hockenheim silver bike. The M2C and that bike are the only HS BMW vehicles right?

[Maynard]

FWIW, I just gave a guy a ride in my M2C who was dying to try it, couldn't keep it together how much he loved it and almost bought one, still considers it his 'dream BMW'. He is selling his Mustang as we speak and awaiting a new Corvette. I think these cars are VERY different characters, hard to imagine anyone would not have a fairly distinct preference, even if they liked both. Personally, I'd have a hard time getting over the fact that I'd be seeing myself at nearly every stoplight in the GT350 (no, not all REAL GT350's, but you can't turn around you aren't seeing a virtually identical Mustang). Make it vs. the new G87 and I'd have to shred my 'FORD = Fix or Repair Daily' shirt from the 70's (or save up for a Pcar).

[s1k_RR]

Originally Posted by ESB

Yay! Was scrolling through the thread and saw most posts were from several months ago and was gonna ask what the latest was. Congrats on the car and it's so cool you have a hockenheim silver bike. The M2C and that bike are the only HS BMW vehicles right?

I think so. I feel they made too many in HS for the S1000RR.