Compare the2025 Ford MustangVS 2025 BMW 4 Series Convertible

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Mustang are reminded to check the back seat. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Mustang and 4 Series Convertible have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 4 Series Convertible’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

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

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 4 Series Convertible. 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 Convertible ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 8 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 Convertible doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

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

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 Convertible doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Mustang offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is standard 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 Convertible.

For better stopping power the Mustang Dark Horse’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Convertible:

For better traction, the Mustang has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Convertible (235/50R18 vs. 225/45R18). The Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Convertible (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The Mustang Dark Horse’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 Convertible’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 Convertible’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Mustang offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 4 Series Convertible; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 4 Series Convertible.

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the 4 Series Convertible’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Mustang GT/Dark Horse’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the 4 Series Convertible xDrive’s (37.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Ford Mustang may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the BMW 4 Series Convertible.

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 Convertible doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Convertible has a larger trunk with its top down than the 4 Series Convertible with its top down (11.4 vs. 10.6 cubic feet).

The Mustang Coupe’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The 4 Series Convertible’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The 4 Series Convertible has no towing capacity.

The Mustang’s optional Easy Entry and Exit 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 Convertible 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 Convertible does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the 4 Series Convertible only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mustang has standard extendable sun visors. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer extendable visors.