Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 BMW 4 Series Coupe

Both the Mustang and the 4 Series Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 4 Series Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 4 Series Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the 4 Series Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The 4 Series Coupe requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Mustang offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4 Series Coupe.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Coupe:

The Mustang stops much shorter than the 4 Series Coupe:

For better traction, the Mustang has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Coupe (235/55R17 vs. 225/45R18). The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Coupe (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4 Series Coupe’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The 4 Series Coupe’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is .1 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the 4 Series Coupe.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the M440i xDrive Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the M440i xDrive Coupe (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .78 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the 4 Series Coupe’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has 3.3 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the 4 Series Coupe.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the 4 Series Coupe (13.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 4 Series Coupe does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Mustang will retain 47.24% to 58.69% of its original price after five years, while the 4 Series Coupe only retains 43.96% to 46.87%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Mustang will be $5504 to $19797 less than for the BMW 4 Series Coupe.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The 4 Series Coupe has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.