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Black and white are free. Metallics are $1000 nd the 2 tri-coats are $1500. White Platinum tri-coat on my Ford Escape was $400 and it is flawless. The M3 is slightly smaller and coming 'economies of scale' maybe $500 for metallic. $1000 is a lot for a paint upgrade on a $35K car.
By regular I mean just the normal metallic paints, not the tri-coat / multi-coat paints that all manufacturers charge extra for.
I can understand charging extra for the multi-coat if it is indeed a longer, more involved process.
Agree here. Smaller car. Larger scale production probably means better pricing from their vendor. I think we'll see Free black/white, $750 metallics, premium colors like that red and probably the matte at $1000.
Do metallic paint take longer than non-metallic?
I'm trying to figure where the $1000 extra comes from.
JeffK
Well-Known Member
Metallic paints for all manufactures take longer to apply and contain small pieces of polished aluminum. There are often extra steps involved. Not every manufacturer charges extra but it does cost them extra.
Metallic paints can also increase the resale value and make the car look better so it's more desireable. In business, companies often charge a premium for desireable features.
Metallic paints can also increase the resale value and make the car look better so it's more desireable. In business, companies often charge a premium for desireable features.
CarlitoDoc
Member
JeffK
Well-Known Member
When you look at the premium desirable colors for cars sold in the Model S price range like say a corvette instead of a volt, the paint options are $995 extra.
heck super silver on a Nissan GT-R costs $3000
heck super silver on a Nissan GT-R costs $3000
What do you folks think about basic white vs metallic white. In my current car I paid extra for metallic white but side by side it looks slightly off white (unclean) compared to basic white. When I had a slight bumper scratch I was told it would have been a simple job had it been basic white but metallic white requires full bumper respray.
Considering all that I am wondering whether to go for basic white for M3. On the other hand, the metallic sheen does bring out all the curves on M3. Decisions decisions ...
Considering all that I am wondering whether to go for basic white for M3. On the other hand, the metallic sheen does bring out all the curves on M3. Decisions decisions ...
JeffK
Well-Known Member
I'm going to go with a metallic paint but probably get some kind of coating and/or film to keep it looking awesome.
Well, let's look at some Model 3 competitors to get a guess.
Audi charges $575 for anything but white or black on the A4
BMW charges $550 for anything but white or black on the 3-series
Acura charges $0 for all colors on the TLX
Lexus charges $0 for 4 colors on the IS, and requires you to buy an f-sport for $2k more to get the other 4 colors
Infinity charges $0 for all colors on the Q50
Mercedes charges $720 or $1080 for all colors other than white or black for the C300.
So... Tesla seems to price their options more like the German cars so I would guess paint will be in the $500/$700 range.
Audi charges $575 for anything but white or black on the A4
BMW charges $550 for anything but white or black on the 3-series
Acura charges $0 for all colors on the TLX
Lexus charges $0 for 4 colors on the IS, and requires you to buy an f-sport for $2k more to get the other 4 colors
Infinity charges $0 for all colors on the Q50
Mercedes charges $720 or $1080 for all colors other than white or black for the C300.
So... Tesla seems to price their options more like the German cars so I would guess paint will be in the $500/$700 range.
TaoJones
Beyond Driven
I can't get behind the cargo van white in large measure because by the time you account for all of the black, red, and silver inherent in today's car, the overall look reminds me of a panda bear.
Having said that, I've lived in abnormally warm climes for much of my adult life and have preferred white cars.
When I bought mine, there were few colours available, especially if you consider that black (now 2 blacks), white (now 2 whites), silver, and grey aren't really colours at all. The green and brown and dolphin grey had all been discontinued, the blue at the time looked black, and that pretty much left the production red.
I would be much more inclined to pay a premium for a paint colour if in fact there were more actual colours from which to choose. Live a little. How about a proper British racing green? A rich copper? A sky blue? An additional red? It's just paint. Once it comes out of the nozzles it's a process like any other manufacturing process. Additional steps for metallics aside.
Having said that, I've lived in abnormally warm climes for much of my adult life and have preferred white cars.
When I bought mine, there were few colours available, especially if you consider that black (now 2 blacks), white (now 2 whites), silver, and grey aren't really colours at all. The green and brown and dolphin grey had all been discontinued, the blue at the time looked black, and that pretty much left the production red.
I would be much more inclined to pay a premium for a paint colour if in fact there were more actual colours from which to choose. Live a little. How about a proper British racing green? A rich copper? A sky blue? An additional red? It's just paint. Once it comes out of the nozzles it's a process like any other manufacturing process. Additional steps for metallics aside.
alseTrick
Active Member
Chopr147
Active Member
Nice! I'm surprised they don't charge more for the blue metallic flake. I'm sure they make it up in other ways. Always loved Vettes!
AustinPowers
Total Smeghead
If the Model 3 comes only available in the current Tesla colour lineup, I might end up ordering the basic white, saving the extra cost for metallic and instead go for a full wrap in my favorite custom colour. Might be worth it, especially after factoring in the effect that a wrap also protects the original paint.
