Am I going to regret the aero wheels?

[phigment]

I assume you have to pull out the Center cap and lug nut covers to put the aero covers back on? Is that a pain?

I was thinking that in the winter when efficiency is down and I could really benefit from any added range I could get, the winter set with the aero covers from Tesla could be a good option. Since I really like the 19” look (even though they have all season tires) that could be my “non winter” set up when the added range / efficiency benefit of the aeros may be less important.

Need to pull out the centre cap, but the nut covers can stay on.

Some people found a suction cut that fits and use that to pull them out. I found I I take a sharp knife and cover it with a couple layers of packing tape I can pop out the caps without damage to the rims or caps. Need to be carful though.

 

[aronth5]

I planned on taking off the aero caps as soon as I got my white Model 3 home.

I've now had the car for almost 2 months, aeros are still on. They look MUCH better in person than in pictures, IMO. I think they look great, especially with the Pearl White.

I also assumed I would take them off, but 4 months they are still on and I do have the nut cover set.

 

[MacGreiner]

I assume you have to pull out the Center cap and lug nut covers to put the aero covers back on? Is that a pain?

I was thinking that in the winter when efficiency is down and I could really benefit from any added range I could get, the winter set with the aero covers from Tesla could be a good option. Since I really like the 19” look (even though they have all season tires) that could be my “non winter” set up when the added range / efficiency benefit of the aeros may be less important.

If I did it every week - yes it would be a pain.
We do road trip about once every 2 months and it has worked out great. I check the tire pressure before the trip and change them as part of that. Max of about 5 minutes additional time.

 

[felixculpas]

Does anyone know if 4 aero wheels will fit inside a M3 with just the driver present? Considering them for winter tire wheels as well and transporting back home for storage. Otherwise would invest in the tools to do tire swaps myself.

 

[TheLocNar]

Does anyone know if 4 aero wheels will fit inside a M3 with just the driver present? Considering them for winter tire wheels as well and transporting back home for storage. Otherwise would invest in the tools to do tire swaps myself.

They'll fit.

 

[felixculpas]

OK. Thanks!

 

[EV-lutioin]

You will love them! Better range, better ride and.... better looking in my opinion.

 

[Birdman325]

I have seen different estimates of the range differential. Is there a consensus?

 

[ceekz]

Funny, I have yet to see anything about the discussion of 18 vs 19" wheels that references the gap in the wheel well between the 18" tire and the car body. One of the reasons why I opted for 19" was that is seemed to fill the well more uniformly. However, I read a previous post that said the tire is lower profile than the 18". I'm notorious for curbing rims...

 

[drawfour]

I wish the 19s had an "Aero" cap that could be installed over them for road trips. Then I could get the nice white rims, which look pretty nice, and still get the road-trip efficiency.

 

[Birdman325]

This also played a role in my decision to go with the 19”. In addition to the fact that I just prefer the look of the 19” wheel to the aero covers (or even the wheels underneath), the 18” just look like they leave too much room in the wheel well. Not too many years ago, 16” was “standard” and 17” was considered on the large side. Now, 18” looks to be a little small on the Model 3.

 

[phigment]

Funny, I have yet to see anything about the discussion of 18 vs 19" wheels that references the gap in the wheel well between the 18" tire and the car body. One of the reasons why I opted for 19" was that is seemed to fill the well more uniformly. However, I read a previous post that said the tire is lower profile than the 18". I'm notorious for curbing rims...

How do they fill the well better?
Aero wheels: 18" : 235/45R18 --> 26.3" diameter
Sport wheels: 19": 235/40/R19 --> 26.4" diameter

The wheel diameter is pretty much identical. You should be able to swap between these. If they had a different size the spedometer would need to be updated to account for the larger travel per rotation. This means the gap between tire edge and wheel well is the same.

I guess it would be 0.5" inches closer visually to the edge of the rim.

 

[Birdman325]

Because it looks like it fills the well better.

 

[ceekz]

Because it looks like it fills the well better.

yes, what he said. It is a visual thing, not so much a physical thing. One inch difference or shiny finish?

 

[SoCalGuy]

A side by side:

20 v 19 v 18 with aero

 

[rdlink]

I originally ordered the sport wheels, because the aero wheels are just butt ugly. They'll never, on any plane of existence look good to me. They remind me of the ugly plastic hubcaps we had on cars back in the bad old 70s. Then I found out that the aero wheels give 10% better range than the sport, and part of it was the diameter.

So I started looking around for aftermarkets in 18". I found some, but then discovered that I could remove the aero covers. I edited my build to go back to aero wheels, and ordered lug covers and center caps even though my car is 4 months from delivery. I may take the lug covers and center caps to my delivery and pull the aeros off and toss them in the trunk before I even bring the car home. LOL

 

[EV forever]

I waffled back and forth on aeros to the point of actually changing my order from aero to sport then back. Also ordered the caps in case I wanted to take off the aero covers and just use the wheel underneath.

But now that I have them I really like the look (and the extra range/efficiency). But as you say, it’s subjective — go with your gut.

Same here. Initially, when we saw the pictures of production model 3s, we were not thrilled with the Aeros. But we went with the Aero wheels anyway because of longer range and $1500 savings. On the day we got our car, our delivery specialist showed us how to remove the Aero covers and talked about lug nuts etc. But honestly, we did not feel like we wanted to do that since we actually liked the look on that day. Now 2 months later they have really grown on us, and we would not consider removing them!

My $.02 - black and the grey both look pretty good with the Aero wheels. (I may yet switch back to the Aero - but for now I am holding out with the 19)

Aeros look good on the red as well. There is another car in our neighborhood, red with 19" wheels. Comparing with our car, I think the Aeros have a more distinctive look than the 19".

So my opinion - Keep the Aeros

 

[SouthBayGuy]

I think the Aero covers look better in person. I bought the center caps and lug nut covers with the intention of taking the Aero Covers off. But now I like the way they look. I asked my kids and wife what they thought about the Aero Covers and they said it looked "Cool".

 

[North75]

In a similar boat. I ordered the deep blue metallic with the 19". Thought about it, decided I could save the money and use it to buy something "better" after market, would get better range with the Aeros (and could always take them off etc) so an hour later, went back in and switched to the Aeros. Kept looking at a ton of pictures on line, and then saw a few on the street with the aero covers and I have to say, I just don't like the look (my personal view). I went back in and switched back to the 19" and I just "feel" better about it. I need winters anyways for here in Toronto, so I can either get the 18" with Aeros for my winter set, or just get something else, but based on the pictures I have seen, the "bright" look of the 19" just looks better (to me).

Mistake ordering 19” wheels?

I got the 19's with deep blue metallic as well. I'm also planning on ordering the 18" winter wheel and tire set.
If I decide that I like the 18" rims better I can always get a set of non-winter tires for them at some point.

 

[rdlink]

I think the Aero covers look better in person. I bought the center caps and lug nut covers with the intention of taking the Aero Covers off. But now I like the way they look. I asked my kids and wife what they thought about the Aero Covers and they said it looked "Cool".

Then you must not have grown up in the 70s. LOL.