Differences between M3 SR+ and LR

[Mr H]

When will the letters line up

Spare Dual Motor badge available.

My LR goes like a rocket... when uxoriously allowed

View attachment 721339

I’d send it back, the letters are wonky ;-)

 

[Karlcole]

I thought the SR refresh now had heating steering wheel?

 

[kelvin 660]

No heated wheel in SR+ but some say the hardware is fitted and Tesla may make it available via a paid software upgrade...

 

[Dommmm]

Having searched and youtube'd the life out of things the past few months, I have found some conflicting reports of the differences between the two and I'm wondering how many things that were perhaps missing from earlier SR+ models might actually be present in current ones.

Admittedly, I have ordered a LR ages ago now it seems but the main reason for doing so was for the AWD but I'm now doing some penny counting and wondering if maybe an SR+ could more or less suit me (15 mile daily commute), so...

What are the differences between the two, taking away the obvious larger battery, range and AWD?

I'm understanding that;

• the fog lights are different.
• only the front seats are heated in the SR+ (no big loss there).
• the SR+ doesn't have the heated steering wheel.
• the SR+ has a lower end sound system.
• the SR+ only has 30days of premium connectivity (unsure if that would be a problem).

I have also read that the SR+ doesnt have the same interior illumination as the LR, such as door pockets, steering wheel, foot well, puddle lights?

All comments and wisdom appreciated...

I ended up getting the SR+ 21 and did contemplate that or the LR. I bought an ex demo one (which I managed to test drive the actual car and saved a fair bit too) I worked out the difference to be £10,000- at the time had I decided to get the LR. So it was an easy decision.
I absolutely love the car. Have done a fair few 250 mile trips with charging and it's been an absolute delight, the SC charger network is quite amazing. I've heard about people doing amazing trips in old Leafs and EV's with less ranges. This really is a step up.
Plus I don't want to drive for more than 2 1/2 - 3 hours, it's nice to have a walk about and break the journey up so that suits me fine.

After 6 months of driving I still have a smile on my face, arrive far more relaxed then any other driving experience. And I will mention again, i love the car! ha

Go with your gut feeling, both absolutely awesome.

 

[plisken]

I think a big part of my decision was/will come down to the awd in slippery conditions, not so much gunning it on bends or hard accelerating in the wet but more a case of does it allow for more traction, say uphill in the snow, that kind of thing.

I've had RWD cars in the past that would just sit and spin in icy or snow conditions on a slight incline, really don't want to be going back there.

 

[Adopado]

I think a big part of my decision was/will come down to the awd in slippery conditions, not so much gunning it on bends or hard accelerating in the wet but more a case of does it allow for more traction, say uphill in the snow, that kind of thing.

I've had RWD cars in the past that would just sit and spin in icy or snow conditions on a slight incline, really don't want to be going back there.

There is no comparison between an SR+ and a conventional rear wheel drive car. The weight distribution means that you have considerably more traction and grip at the back. It was one of the big surprises when I experienced my first winter because I also had some uncertainty. The traction control is also very effective. Because of my initial uncertainty I did get a set of winter tyres (and because we live in hilly country in the Scottish Borders). With winters on I can drive with ease where 4x4s are struggling with their standard tyres.

 

[AndrewGR]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned that if you want a towbar you have to have an LR. Unless things have changed since I ordered my LR, towibars can’t be supplied with an SR, and can’t legally be retrofitted.

 

[page3]

I think a big part of my decision was/will come down to the awd in slippery conditions, not so much gunning it on bends or hard accelerating in the wet but more a case of does it allow for more traction, say uphill in the snow, that kind of thing.

I've had RWD cars in the past that would just sit and spin in icy or snow conditions on a slight incline, really don't want to be going back there.

I used to have no problem in the snow with my old rwd TVR, without power steering, ABS, traction control or airbags. I did have winter tyres on though. Makes all the difference.

 

[Lord Farquad]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned that if you want a towbar you have to have an LR. Unless things have changed since I ordered my LR, towibars can’t be supplied with an SR, and can’t legally be retrofitted.

Haven’t Tesla been fitting tow bars to SR+? I’m sure some of the inventory cars sold last month were SR+ with tow bar.

 

[BushtrimmmerJr]

I think a big part of my decision was/will come down to the awd in slippery conditions, not so much gunning it on bends or hard accelerating in the wet but more a case of does it allow for more traction, say uphill in the snow, that kind of thing.

I've had RWD cars in the past that would just sit and spin in icy or snow conditions on a slight incline, really don't want to be going back there.

I was worried about the snow with our SR+ but it’s been fine one the occasions that I’ve taken it out.

I’ve had a RWD car before that spun 180 when pulling out of a T-junction because of oil on the road (wasn’t flooring it but was aiming for a gap in traffic). Luckily no accident but I ended up looking a bit of a moron.

 

[plisken]

I've had so many problems over the years in the snow, back in the day I had a Capri 280 turbo which was an absolute nightmare, no fancy electronics to keep things right but you got used to it, going sideways in the dry was considered normal and part of the fun but the daily commute in the snow was just a no no.
I still have my old M5 (E34) and this was a lot better in similar conditions but again, put it against snow on an incline (such as my drive way) and it's not much fun. I actually recall in a car park many years ago, there was a series of small speed bumps, you know the ones, the are about maybe 12-16" wide and it had been snowing lightly, while I was enjoying some retail therapy. On the way out I struggled for what felt like an hour trying to get over these damn things, trying all sorts and of course getting abuse from muppits in their puddle jumpers.

In recent years, I've driven mostly Jeeps and other 4x4 types so this whole thing hasn't really been an issue but the thought of going back to the issues of the past doesn't really give me that warm feeling, even though it may only be for a few weeks out of the year.

I do wonder if in the LR, how much of the torque gets applied to the front axle in such conditions (ok, I know it's a separate drive unit, but still...)

 

[Adopado]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned that if you want a towbar you have to have an LR. Unless things have changed since I ordered my LR, towibars can’t be supplied with an SR, and can’t legally be retrofitted.

I got my SR+ with a tow bar ... has there been a change?

 

[gangzoom]

I still have my old M5 (E34) and this was a lot better in similar conditions but again, put it against snow on an incline (such as my drive way) and it's not much fun.

Even with cheapo winter tyres RWD BMWs are more than fine in snow, infact you will be going around looking for snow covered car parks to test out just how skilled Ken Block really is at making power slides look so effortless and controlled, versus slow speed crash avoidance most of us can manage

It sounds like you are set on the LR but just trying to find reasons to justify the cost difference. The reality is objectively the SR+ car is better value financially, you cannot get around that fact. However is 'value' is the main decision making factor for a car purchase I suspect you will have ordered a brand new £7k Dacia!!!

Stick to your LR order and enjoy the car when it arrives, just don't look at the bank account for a few months and soon the cost difference will be forgotten.

 

[plisken]

I suppose the Heated steering wheel is also a bit of a deal breaker for me, coming from a time when such things were never heard of and then became a real luxury. I should also add that it's something I never really use so as to not break it or wear it out. I've had car's with sunroof's that were never so much as opened for the same reason, silly I know. My next to last was a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the full panoramic split glass roof which opened all the way and I never, ever tried it for the fear...

 

[plisken]

It sounds like you are set on the LR but just trying to find reasons to justify the cost difference.

A lot of this ^^

 

[Adopado]

I've had so many problems over the years in the snow, back in the day I had a Capri 280 turbo which was an absolute nightmare, no fancy electronics to keep things right but you got used to it, going sideways in the dry was considered normal and part of the fun but the daily commute in the snow was just a no no.
I still have my old M5 (E34) and this was a lot better in similar conditions but again, put it against snow on an incline (such as my drive way) and it's not much fun. I actually recall in a car park many years ago, there was a series of small speed bumps, you know the ones, the are about maybe 12-16" wide and it had been snowing lightly, while I was enjoying some retail therapy. On the way out I struggled for what felt like an hour trying to get over these damn things, trying all sorts and of course getting abuse from muppits in their puddle jumpers.

In recent years, I've driven mostly Jeeps and other 4x4 types so this whole thing hasn't really been an issue but the thought of going back to the issues of the past doesn't really give me that warm feeling, even though it may only be for a few weeks out of the year.

I do wonder if in the LR, how much of the torque gets applied to the front axle in such conditions (ok, I know it's a separate drive unit, but still...)

Did you notice my post above? A conventional ICE vehicle has a heavy engine, clutch, gearbox and most ancillaries up front and very little weight at the back. An SR+ has even weight distribution with a motor at the back and a floorpan made up of a heavy battery pack. Comparing the driving experience to anything like a Capri is, well, choose your any chalk/cheese, apples/oranges type reference! Yes, I've driven a Mk2 Escort RS2000 in the snow so I know what you mean ... it was the only car that I have ever had to abandon becasue it simply couldn't go up the hill to get me home! But remove all such anecdotes from your mind when thinking of a Model 3 SR+! Unless you've had winter tyres on your recent 4X4s you will not have experienced winter grip like a 2 wheel rear drive SR+ on winters (of course a 4X4 would be even better on winters but most people don't bother because they imagine that they are adequately covered for grip having their 4X4 functionality). I'm not saying that an AWD LR has no advantage, all I'm saying is that the SR+ needn't be ruled out through experiences based on conventional rear wheel drive car performance.

 

[Adopado]

Even with cheapo winter tyres RWD BMWs are more than fine in snow, infact you will be going around looking for snow covered car parks to test out just how skilled Ken Block really is at making power slides look so effortless and controlled, versus slow speed crash avoidance most of us can manage

Indeed! The drawback of an SR+ on winters is that it's nigh on impossible to get the damned thing to slide ... I took it to a snowy, empty, car park for that very reason. The traction control is spectacular but not in a way that adds to the "fun"! (For fun any front wheel drive car with a proper handbrake is my favourite in an "unrestricted" snow environment!)

 

[Dommmm]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned that if you want a towbar you have to have an LR. Unless things have changed since I ordered my LR, towibars can’t be supplied with an SR, and can’t legally be retrofitted.

can I throw this in there and excuse if it's obvious, but is Supercharging easy with tow bar in use?? I haven't quite figured how that works!

Also on another note, something I've seen a vid of and perhaps it's not a deciding factor but the SR+ has a shorter braking distance!

 

[Adopado]

can I throw this in there and excuse if it's obvious, but is Supercharging easy with tow bar in use?? I haven't quite figured how that works!

You presumably mean a car with a tow bar and a trailer still attached? In most locations you would need to unhitch before backing into the Supercharger space. I only tow in my local area so have never required to Supercharge.

 

[gangzoom]

A lot of this ^^

Just get the LR and forget about the cost .