Hi all, I'm a BMW owner considering a Model 3. Currently have a 2016 BMW 340i, M-Sport, Track Handling package, 6 speed manual. This is the first car I've ever ordered from the factory, so I got it spec'ed exactly how I want it. I have absolutely loved my car, it's a great daily driver, lots of fun, and I've done a handful of track days with it. I've had the car for almost 3.5 years and I'm approaching the 50k mile mark where the warranty and included service plans are ending. Couple that with the fresh price cuts and another upcoming tax credit cut...it seems like if I'm going to make a jump, now might be the time to do it.
I'm considering a fully optioned Model 3 Performance. I priced one out several months ago and today's price is about $10k lower (assuming I'm remembering correctly) at about $68k. I did go test drive one a couple weeks back and was pretty impressed overall, but spending 30 minutes driving an unfamiliar car doesn't really compare to the experience of owning and driving one every day. I'd like to hear some feedback from previous BMW or other premium brand owners who are now Model 3 owners. What do you like about the 3, what do you dislike, what do you miss (if anything) about your old car?
My biggest hang up with the Model 3 right now, aside from the idea of starting over on a new car loan, is just overall appearance. It looks a lot more "happy" than I'd like. Model S, by comparison has a really nice futuristic aggressive look that I dig. For this reason, I had pretty well decided after the test drive that I was going to stick with my current car for another 3-5 years to wait for some other brands to come out with more electric options. Then...I found this thread by
@2018M3 :
Tesla Model 3 the way I want - Signature Wheel + MPP Comfort Coilover
Wow. Getting rid of the wheel gap really changed the appearance, and it gives it that subtle aggressive look that I was missing. I have been considering white with black wheels, and this car is just gorgeous. So...now I'm potentially back in the game
I drive about 13-14k miles a year, primarily doing a 40 mile round trip to work in Phoenix, with the occasional road trip. Also want the ability to hit some NASA HPDE track days probably 3-4 times a year.
All that being said, here's my list:
Pros:
New car
Cool interior design
Auto pilot
Maybe FSD someday
HOV lane access (Arizona - alt fuel plate)
Charging at home and/or work...no more gas station stops
Buying in to Elon Tusk's vision...love the mission behind Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, etc
Cons:
Starting over with a new car loan
Not much to make the Performance version stand out from the rest...especially with the $35k model out now
Styling is not quite as aggressive as I'd like
Range in specific situations...I don't think there's any charging infrastructure at the tracks around here, and I have to go to eastern AZ a few times a year for work, and it doesn't look like there's currently anything out there either.
So....what's your experience been?