HOPEFULLY LESS THAN A YEAR WAIT: New 2018 (MY18) S550.2 Mustang V8 10-speed ordered

[Gibbo]

Making a dedicated thread out of the show us your car thread so any questions anyone has or comments can be here.
Once it arrives I shall update this original post with some delivery pictures, then some modded pictures etc.


Well I've being planning a new car purchase for an MY18 Mustang for a while, but unfortunately Ford would not officially accept my order until they had updated their internal order taking software and were officially accepting builds.

That happened this morning and so I placed a new order with a Nottingham dealership. Gave up on Ford Stoke (Bristol Street) due to lack of response, plus the sales guy at Nottingham dealership is a friend and also ordered a car for himself as well ensuring our cars are first orders and first UK deliveries.

In short I went for what Ford UK has nicknamed hero specification:

Options selected

• V8 Fastback coupe
• Orange Fury triple coat paint
• 10-speed automatic
• Custom Pack 4 (SYNC 3, Nav, Shaker 12 speaker hifi, Polished forged 19" wheels with PS4s tyres, black trim surround, extra leather on interior covering fisher price plastics)
• Recaro ebony leather seats
• Rear spoiler/wing delete if possible
• Adaptive dampers (GT 350 magneride suspension / ARBs etc)
• Black painted roof
• No stripes
• Climate controlled seats (We believe this is not available on Recaro, TBC)

Standard Features

• Active tri-bar DRL's as per USA cars now on all exports
• LED exterior lighting throughout, Pony puddle lamps
• Active quad exhaust system
• Heated steering wheel
• 12" digital LED dash
• Performance Package (Brembo's, braces etc.)
• New gen3 Coyote with 444HP @ 7600RPM & 420lb/ft
• 0-60 in sub 4s (10-speed only)
• All the other regular stuff you'd expect

As much as I love my MY15 Mustang I am simply wanting an automatic in what is my daily driver, but saying that I even prefer driving with paddles when on a weekend blast / road trip / track day etc.

I love the MY18 for its massive leap on in technology improvements, the fact you can option pretty much the same under pinnings as the GT 350 is impressive removing the need to overly mess with suspension too much (you watch me still mess with it though) and Ford have addressed many of the issues and complaints of the MY15 like floaty rear-end, cheaper interior plastics (some still exist) etc.

Unfortunately it won't be the 35k bargain I got my last one for, though Ford have offered 31-32k as a trade in for it (returned to stock or as close to stock) which at 18 months old is fantastic, the car has lost around £150 per month ownership in depreciation which is fantastic on a brand new mass produced car. I am not trading however, I am keeping my MY15 as I cannot part with it so early, so I shall continue enjoying the car for next few months.

My only major gripe with MY18 is the droopy EU looking front-end, I like the front bumper looks really and mean and aggressive compared to MY15. But the hood (bonnet) just looks weak, but by the time I have the car if I still dislike this there will be several solutions available from companies like Roush, Saleen, Steeda, Shelby etc.

Now the waiting begins, at least this time I am in exceptional hands as I've placed the order with Aaron Borg at Nottingham dealership who has also ordered one himself. Our two orders are the first in his dealer network along with a handful of cars from other dealers which are for themselves as showroom cars. Expected delivery is March/April so just in time for an 18 plate too, though I am not fussed about that as WTF shall be firmly put in place. Aaron has promised to keep any sheets, build sheets and the stuff new cars typically get saved, laminated for me to put in an ownership folder. He is also going to try and get photos of both our cars being built in Flat Rock and emailed over as a nice extra touch, in fact I think he might even be keener and more excited than myself, so I know I am in good hands.

As I've gone pretty much with Ford's Hero specification the car will essentially look identical to this:

So it all starts again haha, not as bad this time as I've still got the current one and of course it probably won't remain looking like the above for long at all with mine having black roof. Plus I will probably move my current wheels onto the car, fit the same wing as on my current car and add some discreet black stripes down the side again. Not doing much power wise though this time round, shall just fit a set of full length headers and a tune, should be good for 550HP NA then.

 

[Gibbo]

Also I want to give a shout out and thanks to a couple of dealerships who have vastly helped with keeping me informed on MY18 and eventually winning my business.

Richard who is a member here kept me informed and he would have got my order, but of course Glasgow is a bit far to go, his information is below.

As such I ordered my car from Aaron Borg from Nottingham, only an hour drive for me and the A50 will be a good place to run the car in. Want to personally thank him for his great attention to detail and the fact he is just as keen as myself, because he has also ordered himself one personally to replace his current Oxford White Mustang, I believe he has also gone orange fury but complete base specification with manual, keeping it a very focused drivers car. He is going that little bit further by making sure any build stickers, window stickers will all be kept and laminated for me upon collection. He is also going to try and get some photos of mine and his cars in production at Flat Rock as he knows one of the guys there.

Also a shout out to Kent Mustang and Trust Ford Epsom who details are below as being good dealerships.

Richard @ Evans Halshaw Ford Glasgow, 0141 770 1100
Aaron Borg @ Sandicliffe Ford Nottingham, 07894 570960
Kentmustang.com Marcus Nye, somewhere down South 01622 616297
James Rowe Trust Ford Epsom 01372852715


For servicing and warranty work, my car now ONLY goes to Burns Ford Garages in Congleton (Midlands) which is a smaller family run Ford business because they make you feel like a human, not a number and every bit of warranty work and servicing has being carried out same day and quickly with consistent updates. They are also happy to fit modification and have an alignment rack, they know there stuff and can do any job on a Ford, even engine rebuilds so your in very capable hands.

Wanted to post this here for current owners and new, so people know as good service/support should always be promoted, which rarely happens, people generally just post online to complain.

 

[Gibbo]

Ridiculous car for the money.

You do realise I have no idea on what its gonna cost as pricing is not announced, could be 45k for which lot of performance for the money but it could be 55k where its not the best value but still the only V8 power motored around 50k. Though performance wise at around 50k you are at crap sounding Cayman S levels or the lovely bulldog that is the BMW M2.

 

[Gibbo]

Maybe with brexit you could get stung on the final pricing but can't see it being more than £50k.

Other factor with a car like this is just that it's a bit different/unusual on the roads, even now they are RHD.

Well MY15 launched at £32,950, with options mine cost me £35,385, the same car today (MY17) with same options would cost me £40,485, so a £4000 price increase on my car since launch, which I helps the trade-in resale values much, hence 31-32k trade in.

My guess is MY18 V8 base shall be 39k, plus 2k for auto, 2k for custom pack, 2k for magneride and recaros so my bet is around 45-47k area because I've pretty much ticked all the options. Not the bargain it once was but show me another GT V8 Coupe (new) for less than 50k and I'd consider it, for me the closest new rival seems the BMW M2, not quite got the engine or equipment but is a bit more fun and better in handling due to less weight and smaller size.

 

[Gibbo]

Looks awesome in that colour, look forward to seeing it at the next meet

Only question, is Nav not standard on these??

Not really sure, I think Nav is standard to be frank, I've never seen a UK Mustang that did not have NAV or the shaker audio system.

 

[Gibbo]

Looking at the pics above you would fondle your passengers leg everytime you want to put the handbrake on

You do, its OK when its a hot girl next to you mind, perfect excuse.

Ford saving pennies, hardly bothers me even with a manual, with the auto won't even notice. At least they still give you a wand to pull and not one of those stupid buttons most cars have.

 

[Gibbo]

Yes @Gibbo Orange & Black!!



The only thing that bugs me about the interior is that they don't swap the cup holders and handbrake round for RHD.

Thats the plan. Black roof, black mirrors, dark wheels (not black), black rear spoiler, I might also do black door handles too, that should do the trick.

Anyone good at photoshop? Fancy photoshopping the attached image for me? Add a black roof, black mirrors, black door handles and darken up the wheels a bit please?

 

[Gibbo]

I found a photo from Ford with black roof, looks absolute amazing, really needed on the orange to break all the orange up a bit. Picture attached.

Definitely black mirrors and black rear wing needed also. The black Ford PP wheels look nice but I dislike black, but black chrome could be the best option maybe. Also maybe black door handles but that could be a step too far.

 

[Gibbo]

And another attached with black mirrors and stripes, not really hearing stripes though!

 

[Gibbo]

Hang on,you've ordered a new one but keeping the "old" one?

(Sounded great at the Shell garage last night as per my FB comment!)

The old one will go closer to time of taking delivery, either as part exchange or private sale. Not bored if I was bored I would sell it now and grab a toy for a few months, I just want an automatic buddy hence the change. The current one shall remain being driven daily, so you shall still see it around.

 

[Gibbo]

Im just playing around while watching suits

Don't quit your day job mate, I could do better in paint brush then your attempts I think.

 

[Gibbo]

Fair enough, can't fault the auto desire either, not quite the same thing but I had to move a new but manual truck the other day, I was surprised just how much it erked me having to cog swap myself!

It's not so much seeing the old one around, it's usually a case of hearing it then seeing it!

Yes its extremely loud, how I like it. New one won't be quite as loud, not in the beginning anyway, but of course headers will impact its volume and if I ever want more I can just get rid of the centre resonator and swap to an X or H pipe.

 

[Gibbo]

Not a fan of those wheels, seem too small for the massive body shape, an inch bigger and slightly lower profile tyres would make it sit a lot meaner!

Sounds great though, but to be expected from a 5.0 v8

Agreed they do look a tiny, whereas my current wheels which are same size look much bigger, which I shall no doubt be keeping and just putting on the new one to be honest.

If Ford want silly money for those forged wheels I shall just change from custom pack 4 to custom pack 2, identical packs, only difference being pack 2 has the same wheels I got on my 2015 but in black.

 

[Gibbo]

So the 2015 Mustang was 35k, how much will this be?

It wont be anywhere near 35k, more like 45-50k.

 

[Gibbo]

Just found this, see attachment, looks much better.




Thats a render on what could be the upcoming MY19 GT500. Looks good, but rear wing I'd changed to my current one then the rest is fine. Not too much for black bumper and still needs a hood, seen the Cervini Stalker hood today, looks proper mean whilst looking factory so probably be having on of those.

Oh add on the black rocker stripes to break up the orange a bit, looks killer, still needs a less European hood though.

 

[Gibbo]

The ten speed is supposed to be super smooth, at least on the 2018 f150s. Presumably it'll be as smooth/smoother in the Mustangs.

What was the auto option on the 2015s, the 6 speed? Or did they not have an auto option?

6 speed like Richie says, unfortunately I found it more annoying than a joy. The gear changes at wide open throttle even in just drive mode chirp the tyres, its not smooth, more old school type. On the paddles its not too responsive and again generally breaks traction.

A good auto in drive should be smooth, fast and seamless, no tyre shredding. But then when flicked to sport or track mode and on paddles it should be more tyre chirping naughty and responsive, hoping the ten speed somewhat is like this, I am not hoping for PDK or M-DCT greatness but if it can be close I will be happy.

 

[Gibbo]

Awesome new.
Just happy that we have someone on here with the balls and love of cars to not only be able to do this, but is also happy to share that with us. Thanks.

Thank you, plus one good thing about Ford, they really are very friendly with you modifying the hell out of a brand new car.

Saleen just released some mockups of their MY18 front-end, gotta say I think it looks really awesome, they have combined sleek, aggressive and muscle all into one.

 

[Gibbo]

Definitely much better with black added in, loving the colour, from sedate to full on in your face.

I sense a huge spending spree coming on in November for Black Friday deals.

 

[Gibbo]

MY18 is now official in US for ordering, some photos from Ford, very nice they are.

 

[Gibbo]

That orange one looks bloody lovely. The spoiler is great. The other ones look incomplete without it.

Pretty much what I've ordered, only difference being black roof, still unsure on the spoiler, I prefer the GT 350 one in black, could in theory get this and paint it black, depends if it comes standard on UK or is a cost extra, still unknown, if its cost extra I'd rather just buy the GT 350 one and fit it myself.