Concern about thief stealing center console

[Maximilien]

Unlike Model S and X, the center touch screen panel is popped out in Model 3.

My concern is that if a thief breaks in, and break the center console, is the car still drivable and can the parts be replaced easily?

Or is it designed so strong that thief cannot break it apart?

 

[silentsnow31802]

It would be difficult to remove without breaking it completely apart. Would need a chainsaw or something.... Plus its not an ipad or a laptop. Its not plug and play with other devices. Would be pretty useless on its own. Not something you should be worried about.

 

[Chewy3]

I think the fear is that would-be-thiefs might *think* its an ipad and break in...realize its built in and NOT a tablet - but damage has already been done.

 

[Maximilien]

I think the fear is that would-be-thiefs might *think* its an ipad and break in...realize its built in and NOT a tablet - but damage has already been done.

This was my concern. Thief stealing it thinking it is like an attached iPad/tablet. There is a greater chance they mess it up compared to embedded screen on S & X.

I guess we will find out as more Model 3's are poured on the road.

 

[Zaphod]

It's actually pretty amazing how rigid the screen mount is. I was skeptical early on that it would be flimsy and vibrate on rough roads, but that thing is solid. I would think it would be hard to break off the dash. They could however smash and crack the screen as it's just like any flat panel. i imagine the car is still able to be driven even with the screen inoperable, but obviously wouldn't know speed, etc..It is most likely bolted to the dash somehow, so shouldn't be too difficult to replace, but waiting for parts might be the biggest issue.

 

[Maximilien]

It's actually pretty amazing how rigid the screen mount is. I was skeptical early on that it would be flimsy and vibrate on rough roads, but that thing is solid. I would think it would be hard to break off the dash. They could however smash and crack the screen as it's just like any flat panel. i imagine the car is still able to be driven even with the screen inoperable, but obviously wouldn't know speed, etc..It is most likely bolted to the dash somehow, so shouldn't be too difficult to replace, but waiting for parts might be the biggest issue.

It is relieving to hear it is rigid.

 

[K-MTG]

If they break the screen....you basically can’t control the car

 

[Garlan Garner]

It is relieving to hear it is rigid.

Its not really funny at all, however Catalytic converters are rigid also....and they have been disappearing for years on cars. I know for a fact that that's true.

Let me put it this way. I don't believe anyone in Elons neighborhood has ever had their catalytic converter sawed off of their car.

 

[anhnguyen]

...that screen is locked in..that was the first thing I did when I sat in a model 3 at the buena park meet up..kept on trying to budge it..it was solid..

 

[Jeff4155]

maybe stick a post it on the screen saying this is not an iPad

 

[EchoDelta]

Many cars have such design now, and I've never heard of it being a concern, FWIW
e.g. Our smaller B-class electric has something that looks a lot like an ipad from the outside, it even looks like it's resting in cradle shape and has brushed metallic thin outside bezels. Whoever designed that was certainly... uninspired, but on those forums theft has never come up.

The model 3's screen is prominently integrated into the dash.Anyone that looks inside and sees the unusual dash design is likely to go WTF and move on, IMO, unless they are very impaired.

[I now look at this dash/console/etc and can't help seeing the hundred or so buttons many of which I've never pressed.]

 

[gregincal]

Many cars have such design now, and I've never heard of it being a concern, FWIW
e.g. Our smaller B-class electric has something that looks a lot like an ipad from the outside, it even looks like it's resting in cradle shape and has brushed metallic thin outside bezels. Whoever designed that was certainly... uninspired, but on those forums theft has never come up.

The model 3's screen is prominently integrated into the dash.Anyone that looks inside and sees the unusual dash design is likely to go WTF and move on, IMO, unless they are very impaired.

[I now look at this dash/console/etc and can't help seeing the hundred or so buttons many of which I've never pressed.]

Yeah, I was going to say that a lot of other car's screens look a lot more like tablets. The Model 3 has a 15" screen which is nothing like an iPad. There's no way they can make money on the screens, so it's nothing like catalytic converters.

 

[jelloslug]

Lots of cars have tablet looking screens mounted to the dash. I don't think it will be a real issue.

 

[Zaphod]

Not that I'm concerned about theft, but I'm thinking of possibly having the back of the screen wrapped in black or something darker. Looking through the windshield, the silver back of the screen tends to draw your attention more than I would like. Having it darker would make it blend more into the interior.

 

[insaneoctane]

I will second (or third) the sentiment that it is mounted well. I just pulled on the one in the Tesla store yesterday and was amazed at how solid and non flexing it really was. It won't budge!
Can't wait for the first teardown of the mount....

 

[ProphetM]

I will second (or third) the sentiment that it is mounted well. I just pulled on the one in the Tesla store yesterday and was amazed at how solid and non flexing it really was. It won't budge!
Can't wait for the first teardown of the mount....

One review describes it as "fixed to the dash by the steel hands of God."

 

[hgpayne]

Our 2015 Fiat 500e has a Tomtom with a custom mount that slides in the dash. The TomTom is paired with the car and supposedly won't work without it. Nevertheless, when you turn the car off, it warns you to take it out and hide it to deter would be thieves. The Model 3 (S, and X) screens just don't come out though -- not without some serious tools.

 

[Wolverinegeoff]

Its not really funny at all, however Catalytic converters are rigid also....and they have been disappearing for years on cars. I know for a fact that that's true.

Let me put it this way. I don't believe anyone in Elons neighborhood has ever had their catalytic converter sawed off of their car.

Catalytic converters are stolen for metal recycling. Nobody would give you jack for a monitor with no useful connector that was torn out of its mount...

 

[MelaniainLA]

There are plenty of concerns about all cars, including this one -- this isn't one of them. WHAT would they do with it? Sell it on TMC? To someone who's within warranty and has no need for one? Spent $20,000 worth of effort to turn it into a wannabe iPad? There's a greater chance they'll steal the tires and wheels, which have true value and don't involve disassembling a vehicle. I don't see too many people concerned about wheel/tire theft... Oy...

 

[davedavedave]

All good points guys, but remember: thieves are generally not too bright - that's why they're thieves!