Compare the2025 Ford Mustang GTDVS 2025 BMW M4

Both the Mustang GTD and the M4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang GTD 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the M4 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 GTD’s warranty.

The Mustang GTD 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 M4 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’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. With 3 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than BMW.

The Mustang GTD’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 342 more horsepower (815 vs. 473) and 258 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 406) than the M4’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The Mustang GTD’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 312 more horsepower (815 vs. 503) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 479) than the M4 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The Mustang GTD’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 292 more horsepower (815 vs. 523) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 479) than the M4 Competition xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The Mustang GTD’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 272 more horsepower (815 vs. 543) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 479) than the M4 CS’ standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

The Mustang GTD 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 M4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Ford Mustang GTD comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M4.

The Mustang GTD offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The M4 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Mustang GTD’s brake rotors are larger than those on the M4:

The Mustang GTD stops much shorter than the M4:

For better traction, the Mustang GTD has larger tires than the M4 (F:325/30R20 & R:345/30R20 vs. F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19).

The Mustang GTD’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M4’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires. The Mustang GTD’s tires are lower profile than the M4’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang GTD has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels are standard on the M4. The M4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches in the front and 20-inches in the rear.

The Mustang GTD has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The M4 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang GTD is 4.2 inches wider in the front and 5.1 inches wider in the rear than on the M4.

The Mustang GTD handles at 1.17 G’s, while the M4 Coupe pulls only 1.03 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Mustang GTD’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the M4’s (37.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Mustang GTD has 2.8 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more front shoulder room than the M4 Coupe.

The Mustang GTD’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 M4 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mustang GTD has standard extendable sun visors. The M4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Ford Mustang outsold the BMW 4 Series by over two to one during 2024.