Lithia Auto Stores

Compare the2023 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2023 Ford Mustang

2023 BMW 8 Series
2023 Ford Mustang

Safety

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The 8 Series’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Mustang doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 8 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mustang doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 8 Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Mustang doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 8 Series offers optional Park Distance Control to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Mustang doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the 8 Series and the Mustang 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

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The 8 Series comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Mustang’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 8 Series’ corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Mustang’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Mustang.

Reliability

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The battery on the 8 Series is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 8 Series’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Mustang’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 18th.

Engine

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The 8 Series has more powerful engines than the Mustang:

Horsepower

Torque

840i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder

335 HP

368 lbs.-ft.

M850i 4.4 turbo V8

523 HP

553 lbs.-ft.

Mustang 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder

310 HP

350 lbs.-ft.

Mustang 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder

330 HP

350 lbs.-ft.

Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8

450 HP

410 lbs.-ft.

Mustang Mach 1 5.0 DOHC V8

470 HP

410 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the M850i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8 (automatics tested):

8 Series

Mustang

Zero to 60 MPH

3.4 sec

4.2 sec

Quarter Mile

11.7 sec

12.5 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

120.4 MPH

114.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Coupe gets better mileage than the Mustang Fastback:

MPG

8 Series Coupe

RWD

Auto

3.0 turbo 6-cyl.

21 city/29 hwy

AWD

Auto

3.0 turbo 6-cyl.

21 city/29 hwy

4.4 turbo V8

17 city/24 hwy

Mustang Fastback

RWD

Manual

2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)

20 city/27 hwy

GT 5.0 V8

15 city/24 hwy

Mach 1 5.0 V8

14 city/22 hwy

Auto

2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)

20 city/27 hwy

GT 5.0 V8

15 city/24 hwy

Mach 1 5.0 V8

15 city/23 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the Mustang Convertible:

MPG

8 Series Convertible

RWD

Auto

3.0 turbo 6-cyl.

21 city/29 hwy

AWD

Auto

3.0 turbo 6-cyl.

21 city/29 hwy

4.4 turbo V8

17 city/24 hwy

Mustang Convertible

RWD

Manual

2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)

20 city/27 hwy

2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)

19 city/25 hwy

5.0 V8

15 city/24 hwy

Mach 1 5.0 V8

14 city/22 hwy

Auto

2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)

20 city/28 hwy

2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)

19 city/26 hwy

GT 5.0 V8

15 city/23 hwy

Mach 1 5.0 V8

15 city/23 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Mustang doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 8 Series’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Mustang doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 8 Series has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank (18 vs. 15.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 8 Series has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank (18 vs. 16 gallons).

The 8 Series has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Mustang. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission and Drivetrain

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The BMW 8 Series comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Mustang.

All wheel drive, available in the 8 Series, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Ford Mustang is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

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For better stopping power the 8 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Mustang:

8 Series 840i

8 Series

Mustang

Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1

Front Rotors

13.7 inches

15.6 inches

12.6 inches

15 inches

Rear Rotors

13.6 inches

15.7 inches

12.6 inches

12.6 inches

The 8 Series stops shorter than the Mustang:

8 Series

Mustang

70 to 0 MPH

161 feet

165 feet

Car and Driver

60 to 0 MPH

107 feet

111 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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For better traction, the 8 Series has larger tires than the Mustang (F:245/35R20 & R:275/30R20 vs. 235/55R17).

The 8 Series’ standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 8 Series has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mustang.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 8 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Mustang doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

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The 8 Series M850i has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Mustang doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M850i offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Ford doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Mustang.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 8 Series’ wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the Mustang (111.1 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series is 1.7 inches wider in the front than on the Mustang.

The M850i xDrive Coupe handles at .99 G’s, while the Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M850i xDrive Convertible handles at .97 G’s, while the Mustang GT Premium Convertible pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M850i xDrive Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback (24 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 25.1 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

Passenger Space

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The 8 Series Coupe has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear legroom than the Mustang Fastback.

The 8 Series Convertible has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Mustang Convertible.

Cargo Capacity

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The 8 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the Mustang Fastback (14.8 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Convertible has a larger trunk with its top down than the Mustang Convertible (12.4 vs. 11.4 cubic feet).

The 8 Series’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Mustang Convertible doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 8 Series’ rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Mustang doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its coupe body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 8 Series offers cargo security. The Mustang’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 8 Series’ trunk can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Mustang doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

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The 8 Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mustang uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 28% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

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Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1, the 8 Series has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The 8 Series’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Mustang, and is not available on all models.

The 8 Series has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Mustang doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 8 Series’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Mustang has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The 8 Series’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Mustang’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 8 Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Mustang can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 8 Series has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Mustang doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 8 Series also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The 8 Series’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Mustang Premium/Mach 1.

When the 8 Series is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Mustang’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 8 Series’ standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Mustang has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The 8 Series has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Mustang.

The 8 Series has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Mustang.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the 8 Series has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Mustang doesn’t offer rear vents.

The 8 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Mustang doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Ford Mustang isn’t available as a sedan.

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