Motortrend claims the Boss 302 mustang outlaps the E92 M3 around Laguna Seca?

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Now, don't get us wrong, we are very impressed with what Ford is doing lately. Honestly, we think BMW could learn a thing or two from them. Things like the factory supported supercharger setups for the Mustang 5.0 are amazing and the Ford Racing parts catalog makes the BMW performance parts offering look like... well, pathetic. MotorTrend claims the Boss 302 laps Laguna Seca in 1:40.21 vs. the M3's 1:42.96. What were the tires used? Was the M3 a DCT? Were they tested on the same day? Are we to really believe the Boss 302 outlaps the Audi R8? Read below for the answers.

What Ford is doing with the Mustang is excellent and we commend them. The M3 is stagnant and is being routinely beaten now by the competition such as the C63 which Mercedes improved tremendously with the P31 package. BMW seems content to rest on their laurels and not do anything to upgrade the M3 which is a shame. BMW is going soft and Ford is delivering better and better performance products for better money. The same with Mercedes and Audi seems to be gearing up for an assault as well.

So what do we think of this? Well, the mustang was tested on R-compound tires, not apples to apples. Is the Boss 302 really about 4 seconds faster than the GT500? Car and Driver in the February 2011 issue tests the GT500 and the Mustang GT (not Boss) around VIR and the GT500 is almost 5 seconds faster on the same track, same day. The M3 being 2 seconds faster than the GT500 and the R8 almost a full second faster than the M3. Motortrend compared results from their database from different days with the M3 on street tires using a manual transmission but it is what it is. Congratulations for Ford for building a great car and it is about time for BMW to do something, anything, because we enthusiasts are more interested in lap times than efficient dynamics.

It's mostly down to those R Compound tires, I went to a BMW CCA autocross two years ago and my instructor drove a 997 GT3, there was a completely stock 997 Carrera S on R Compounds that was TEN SECONDS faster per lap than the GT3 (the autocross course was around 1 mile, all 2nd and 3rd gear) it was actually the fastest car there that day but a huge margin. Now, a lot of that may have been down to the driver but like I said, the GT3 was piloted by an instructor.

Not to take away from the Boss, it's a sweet ride and I'd actually love to own the regular 5.0 Mustang, but faster than the E9x M3 it is not based on what I'm seeing.

Retarded. Put them on the same tires, then say the lap time.....

Anybody who has gone from street tires to fresh Hoosier A6s or R6s will know what I'm saying... regardless of how good the street tire was...

The test are made with the tire the car comes equipped with from the factory...

Too bad the Boss 302 can't win in the Continental Tire Series. The M3 continues to beat it, in REAL races.

The Continental Tire Series is basically the street cars with roll cages. They race on same the tires and the M3 is owning.

Originally Posted by M3_WC

Too bad the Boss 302 can't win in the Continental Tire Series. The M3 continues to beat it, in REAL races.

The Continental Tire Series is basically the street cars with roll cages. They race on same the tires and the M3 is owning.

True.

its funny as hes driving i was calling out the next few turns lol i havent played forza 2 in a long time but remember this track like i was just on it

Originally Posted by Remonster

It's mostly down to those R Compound tires, I went to a BMW CCA autocross two years ago and my instructor drove a 997 GT3, there was a completely stock 997 Carrera S on R Compounds that was TEN SECONDS faster per lap than the GT3 (the autocross course was around 1 mile, all 2nd and 3rd gear) it was actually the fastest car there that day but a huge margin. Now, a lot of that may have been down to the driver but like I said, the GT3 was piloted by an instructor.

Not to take away from the Boss, it's a sweet ride and I'd actually love to own the regular 5.0 Mustang, but faster than the E9x M3 it is not based on what I'm seeing.

I find it pretty lame they are comparing a Boss 302 and calling it an M3 killer to an M3 tested on a different day, that wasn't DCT, and on street tires. That is complete BS.

Originally Posted by Sinister M3

The test are made with the tire the car comes equipped with from the factory...

True, but that is where the difference is coming from.

The M3 has R-compounds available in Europe (Michelin Sport Cups) use those and let's see what happens...

Why should the M3 get upgraded tires? Why should it use DCT? Why not use what the cars come with that way you can compare your DOLLAR value instead of mindless equating of performance.

The Boss 302 outperformed the cars on a track, was the M3 running on the same day? No, was it raining? No... Ok so then we can safely say that the mustang had an advantageous day but not "omfg mind boggling unfair wtf losing!!", in that case, even if it ran a 1:42 I would still be happy and BMW should still be sad.

WINNING!!!

I'm not upset the Mustang is fast as $#@!, I'm just saying a respectable publication should mention that 90% or more of that performance increase over the regular Mustang is coming from those tires, tires which you could stick on a regular Mustang 5.0 and see a huge performance increase. I got rid of the runflats on my 135i and I can corner a lot harder than before (scientifically measured to be approximately 1-1.3 $#@!tons more grip per second)

If anything, as an American I'm glad that America is finally building things we can be proud of again. It's about time. In fact I rode in the back of the new Mustang 5.0 and I have no doubt that in a straight line it's quicker than the E9x M3 and my chipped 135i. That thing was definitely impressive.

Originally Posted by DBFIU

Why should the M3 get upgraded tires? Why should it use DCT? Why not use what the cars come with that way you can compare your DOLLAR value instead of mindless equating of performance.

Because it's a performance comparison. We ultimately want to see what is the faster car, right? Well, I don't think the Boss can take the M3 if it is in its best form.

$ per $ is irrelevant and never has been BMW's game and never will be. Ford has to be the value because they can't command the price BMW can.

Originally Posted by Remonster

I'm not upset the Mustang is fast as $#@!, I'm just saying a respectable publication should mention that 90% or more of that performance increase over the regular Mustang is coming from those tires

EXACTLY. R-compound tires on one and street tires on the other don't make for a good comparison and they should know you don't leave that kind of information out unless trying to play up sensationalism.

You guys are just mad because the mustang is winning.

Originally Posted by DBFIU

You guys are just mad because the mustang is winning.

It looks like they are. I actually like that the Mustang is winning. I am kind of tired of my M3 and I feel as if its getting outdated. Everyone is offering more for less. The m3 isn't what it used to be.

I bet an e46 M3 on R compounds could beat the BOSS 302 around the Nurburgring... just saying. And you can get those for less than the price of a BOSS 302 these days

Originally Posted by DBFIU

You guys are just mad because the mustang is winning.

Not at all, I just don't think if you have an M3 on R compounds with a DCT the mustang will win. So Motortrend is purposely misleading people to create buzz and sensationalism.

Originally Posted by Brey335i

I bet an e46 M3 on R compounds could beat the BOSS 302 around the Nurburgring... just saying. And you can get those for less than the price of a BOSS 302 these days

CSL lapped in 7:50... faster than the E92 M3 and largely due to the tires.

I would do a boss with a radical cam and do ITB's longtubes full exhaust and call it a day