2018 Tesla Model 3 "Oreo" Build Thread

[Mickie]

Hello Tesla Owners, Friends, and Enthusiasts!

I'm putting together a journal of my Model 3, named "Oreo". I'm coming from an Audi S4 and put together a thread which was a lot of fun so I'm doing it again. See link for the Audi here: New S4 Owner – upcoming mods, lots of questions, and mini-review

My company designs medium to large scale solar energy projects so electric cars have always been something of interest to me.

On March 31, 2016, the morning of the Model 3 reveal, I got in line around 6 AM without having seen the car. I was around the 50th person in line. There were probably a few hundred people in line by the time they opened.

We picked up a Model X at the end of 2017 which bumped my reservation up so I was able to pick up my Model 3 on Feb 26, 2018 (nearly 2 years later!)

It's amazing what Tesla has done to the EV market and the Model 3 doesn't disappoint. After driving an S4 for 6 years, I can say the Model 3 is as fun to drive, probably even better. There's something about the low center of gravity keeping the car flat, combined with the instant torque of the electric motor, makes accelerating through turns so much fun.

First wash at home:

We also have an BMW i3 which has exceeded my expectations. The i3 is also very fun to drive and has a great seating position. The exterior design and cabin are unique but I like it. The main downside of the i3 is the electric range is 40-60 miles depending on weather.

I dropped off the car with Tint Pros / Platinum Auto Wraps and they were able to do all of the following listed below.

BEFORE:

I'll post more details later but here's a rundown of what I've done so far:

• 35% Suntek Ceramic Tint
• Suntek PPF on hood
• Xpel Ultimate on Bumper, fender, lights, and trunk lip
• Suntek Matte PPF on interior gloss black trim
• 3M Satin Black chrome delete
• Powder Coat Gloss Black Wheels
• Red Paint Calipers

Here's what I have planned:

• ON ORDER: Unplugged Performance Dual Rate Springs (moderate version)
• Dash Cam
• Escort 360 MAX Ci Radar Detector
• Car Seats
• Ceramic Coating (maybe)
• Summer Wheels and Tires
• Trailer Hitch for Bike Rack (Giant Full E+1)

More to come but wanted to get a start...

Very cool, man. Kudos!

 

[ahkim]

It was there after the center console was done. Have you any pictures of the screen before the center console was done!

The photo below is from the day after delivery that shows a mark on the screen. Unfortunately, it's not very clear but I'm 90% sure it's a scratch.

The tint/PPF was done a week after delivery and based on several photos, I'm certain that they didn't create the scratch.

Other than drive it home and to work the next day, I'm almost certain that I didn't create the scratch. Should I ask Tesla to replace it at their cost? Is that fair?

 

[ahkim]

So the Garmin Speak Plus is turning out to be interesting and useful when combined with Smartthings. It's nice to be able to play Amazon Music from my phone without having to press any buttons.

As a dashcam, the quality of the video seems to be ok. Probably not as good as a Blackvue but good enough.

This video shows the best part of the Model 3, accelerating through a tight turn

Night Video.

 

[ahkim]

So a boring update but hopefully useful to the families out there. I'm looking for a high back booster using the seatbelt and bought the Maxicosi RodiFix. It's a good booster but the entire thing sways from side to side, almost 45 degrees. I think it's because the carseat doesn't sit well in the rear seat. It doesn't matter how tight the seatbelt is.

So I looked at a few seats on Amazon the other night and accidentally ordered all 4 of the seats I was looking at. I'll return them but thought I'd look at all of them before they go back. I'll post what works best sometime this week. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Tony_YYZ]

The photo below is from the day after delivery that shows a mark on the screen. Unfortunately, it's not very clear but I'm 90% sure it's a scratch.

The tint/PPF was done a week after delivery and based on several photos, I'm certain that they didn't create the scratch.

Other than drive it home and to work the next day, I'm almost certain that I didn't create the scratch. Should I ask Tesla to replace it at their cost? Is that fair?

View attachment 288017

Might be an obvious question but did you check to make sure that the factory screen protector film was removed from the screen?

 

[azentropy]

The photo below is from the day after delivery that shows a mark on the screen. Unfortunately, it's not very clear but I'm 90% sure it's a scratch.

The tint/PPF was done a week after delivery and based on several photos, I'm certain that they didn't create the scratch.

Other than drive it home and to work the next day, I'm almost certain that I didn't create the scratch. Should I ask Tesla to replace it at their cost? Is that fair?

View attachment 288017

I feel your pain. I'm having a similar issue with my roof on my house. I had the house painted 3 months ago and last week had a guy come out to wash my windows and he noticed a broken tile. I checked some before and after photos of the paint job and you can see in a couple of the pictures in the after photos the broken tile (so that rules out the window washer guy did it). But I can't notice it in any of the before pictures but don't have a good enough angle to be 100% sure. Need to contact them today to see if they will take responsibility or not.

 

[ahkim]

Might be an obvious question but did you check to make sure that the factory screen protector film was removed from the screen?

I believe it's been removed. I saw another post about this so I checked. The weird thing is that my screen has a lot of micro scratches from normal use which made me think the screen protector might still be on. The scratches are only visible when the screen is totally clean and under the perfect/bright lighting conditions.

I feel your pain. I'm having a similar issue with my roof on my house. I had the house painted 3 months ago and last week had a guy come out to wash my windows and he noticed a broken tile. I checked some before and after photos of the paint job and you can see in a couple of the pictures in the after photos the broken tile (so that rules out the window washer guy did it). But I can't notice it in any of the before pictures but don't have a good enough angle to be 100% sure. Need to contact them today to see if they will take responsibility or not.

Yea - that sucks. I try not to be quick to judge or make assumptions so while I feel like there's a chance the screen scratch might have been there at delivery, I really don't know. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. Maybe they'll meet me half way and cover some of the cost?

 

[Cnasty]

Good info on the seats.

What i am struggling with is finding a seat belt extender that works with the 3 belts. The ones i had worked with the S but they dont in the 3 as it doesnt latch. I cant think they have different or fancy latches but it doesnt work.

 

[ahkim]

Good info on the seats.

What i am struggling with is finding a seat belt extender that works with the 3 belts. The ones i had worked with the S but they dont in the 3 as it doesnt latch. I cant think they have different or fancy latches but it doesnt work.

Could you let me know which extenders you have tried? I might get these from amazon to try. Any safety issues with using an extender?

https://www.amazon.com/Window-Seat-Belt-Extension-inches/dp/B079C1HQ43/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1522129203&sr=1-7&keywords=seat+belt+extender+tesla&th=1

 

[Cnasty]

Could you let me know which extenders you have tried? I might get these from amazon to try. Any safety issues with using an extender?

https://www.amazon.com/Window-Seat-Belt-Extension-inches/dp/B079C1HQ43/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1522129203&sr=1-7&keywords=seat+belt+extender+tesla&th=1

I honestly dont remember the exact brand as we got them 3 years ago. It was from Amazon though and they worked in the S fine. But for some reason they are incompatible with the 3.

 

[ahkim]

Updated to 2018.10.5

The improvements to AP seem to be substantial. There is a hilly road that AP could not handle, it would follow the turn lane AND it couldn't enter the correct lane on the other side of a blind intersection. There were a couple jerky adjustments but with the new update, it actually works!

 

[ahkim]

A quick preview of the car seat that I like best. More info to follow.

 

[ahkim]

So two good pieces of news today.

1. The trailer hitch is now available! I ordered the EcoHitch from TorkLift Central. It should ship in the next 2-3 weeks. Here's the link if anyone is interested: 2018 Tesla Model 3 EcoHitch

I checked with Tesla today to make sure I won't have any warranty issues because I'm installing a hitch for a bike rack and they said that it's very unlikely they would make an issue of it, especially since there's no trailer wiring that's being installed.

Stole this photo from their website. The receiver that you see on the back is removable.

I just had the EcoHitch installed today on our BMW i3 and it seems like great quality. I haven't used it yet but will post some thoughts once I get the chance. I'm using a Kuat NV2 hitch rack for my Giant Full E+1 ebike so it's nearly 100 lbs for that combo, we'll see how sturdy it feels.

2. Remember that stupid screen scratch? I went to Tesla today to ask if they would split the cost of the screen replacement since I had photos that showed the scratch there on the 2nd day of owning the car. The agreed to split the cost. I was fine with that.

But as I was sitting in the parking lot, I noticed a lot of fine swirl marks on the screen and thought it was odd. (glass shouldn't swirl like that). So I picked at the corner of the screen and realized the factory screen protector was still on! It's funny that the Tesla SC couldn't even tell the screen protector was still there, it's obviously very clear. I checked for the screen protector a few days ago but I guess I missed it. No scratches!

 

[ahkim]

I've been using the JuiceBox Pro 40 but it's a 25' cable and super thick so it's a pain to put away after charging.

I rigged up a temporary station using the Tesla Mobile Connector and the holster from Amazon. It's not as clean or as fast, but it's a lot easier to use.

The fit of the charger in the holster is ok, it's a bit loose but it stays put.

Here's my backup power supply in case of emergency.

 

[ahkim]

I've been in contact with Torklift about the hitch. I'll be on of the first to receive it, hoping to see it in the next 2-3 weeks, I'll be posting a review after the install. I attached the install manual provided by Torklift.

I also ordered the undercover since I plan to remove the hitch receiver if I know I won't be using it for a few weeks, or during the winter.

 

[ahkim]

Something really fun just arrived at work!

 

[ahkim]

Been busy but wanted to share that this seat belt extender works.

https://www.amazon.com/Window-Seat-...s=seat+belt+extender+tesla&th=1&tag=tmc064-20

This one doesn't work. Seat belt won't click in place.

 

[ahkim]

Still working on summarizing the different seats I've tried but here's my new favorite.

Clek Oobr. I haven't heard of them before but it seems to be a pretty solid brand.

 

[flashflooder]

Thanks for sharing all this info. Some really useful stuff here.

Since you have all those seats on-hand, would you mind trying to fit 3 across the back row? I suspect you’d have to use belts vs LATCH to get them all in there, but just curious which, if any, configurations would work.

 

[ahkim]

Thanks for sharing all this info. Some really useful stuff here.

Since you have all those seats on-hand, would you mind trying to fit 3 across the back row? I suspect you’d have to use belts vs LATCH to get them all in there, but just curious which, if any, configurations would work.

Yep - I can give it a shot this weekend.