Vs. Delivery Experience Expectations
Way better
Vs. Low-VIN Fit & Finish Expectations
Way better
Vs. Model S (Mid-2015 85D)
Exterior = Draw ... and that's good! (Agree that it looks way better in flesh than in photos)
Fit & Finish = Draw ... and that's good! (vs. VIN 86xxx)
Door handles = Simpler, thus better (in light of my recent MS door-handle failure)
Phone-key approach = Better ... but one must figure out system to remember phone (and house key!)
Wallet card key = Flat-out cool
Hope these come to MS/X soon
Interior = Even cleaner ... like it!
Forward visibility = Way better ... mind-boggling
Seating position = Better (can position wheel without blocking speedo)
Seat Comfort = Draw (with Next-Gen)
Air Vent system = Way better
Seat Heat = Faster
Screen Position = Higher, closer, ability to stabilize finger by grabbing display = Better
Screen Angle = Worse ... needs to be angled at least slightly towards driver
Nav interface = Way better (coming to MS/X soon!) ... smooth zoom & fast draw = unbelievable
Single Screen vs. Dual = Worse ... especially with everything having been moved onto screen
Acceleration = Less ... but plenty good
Canyon/Mountain Handling = Better
Steering Feel = Slightly firmer (M3 "Sport" vs. MS "Sport")
Braking Feel = Slightly softer/spongier (should be tightened up)
Throttle Response = Slightly touchier
Regen = Similar
AP2 = On par with AP1 ... but seems "naggier" and to require stronger "holds"
Motor noise = Quieter ... often inaudible (as expected, coming from AWD --> RWD)
Ride quality = Slightly worse (but still surprisingly good)
Road/axle noise = Much worse (only thing that seemed like cheap rental car)
Early-Days Missing in Actions: Auto-dim headlights, scheduled charging, easy entry
BOTTOM LINE
A Tesla tour de force.
Every bit as much of a "beatdown" to the ICE at the entry-luxury price point as Models S/X were at the luxury level (OK, perhaps less luxury than ICE but more of everything else) and as the Roadster was, and Roadster 2020 will be, at the supercar level. Game over.
Personally, I'm astonished what Tesla has done at roughly half the cost of a Model S ($35K base vs. $70K, $60K (presumed) LR/PUP/EAP AWD vs. $110K well-equipped 100D).
As someone who plans to upgrade MS 85D range before tax credit begins phase-out (the new M3 is my wife's), I'm now very much on the fence between 100D (with hoped-for refresh) or activating my second M3 invite when AWD becomes available. There's much I still prefer about MS. However, smaller-car canyon carving beckons. As does the prospect of being able to sell a three-year old MS to purchase a brand new M3 (almost) all-cash.
Very eager to hear what other early adopters think of the Model 3!
Way better
Vs. Low-VIN Fit & Finish Expectations
Way better
Vs. Model S (Mid-2015 85D)
Exterior = Draw ... and that's good! (Agree that it looks way better in flesh than in photos)
Fit & Finish = Draw ... and that's good! (vs. VIN 86xxx)
Door handles = Simpler, thus better (in light of my recent MS door-handle failure)
Phone-key approach = Better ... but one must figure out system to remember phone (and house key!)
Wallet card key = Flat-out cool
Hope these come to MS/X soon
Interior = Even cleaner ... like it!
Forward visibility = Way better ... mind-boggling
Seating position = Better (can position wheel without blocking speedo)
Seat Comfort = Draw (with Next-Gen)
Air Vent system = Way better
Seat Heat = Faster
Screen Position = Higher, closer, ability to stabilize finger by grabbing display = Better
Screen Angle = Worse ... needs to be angled at least slightly towards driver
Nav interface = Way better (coming to MS/X soon!) ... smooth zoom & fast draw = unbelievable
Single Screen vs. Dual = Worse ... especially with everything having been moved onto screen
Requires more interface element juggling
Requires even interface element scrolling (such as with trip odos)
Shrinks map ... and covers it up more
Perhaps worth it, though, to free up wheel position, improve visibility (for short driver)
Requires even interface element scrolling (such as with trip odos)
Shrinks map ... and covers it up more
Perhaps worth it, though, to free up wheel position, improve visibility (for short driver)
Acceleration = Less ... but plenty good
Canyon/Mountain Handling = Better
Steering Feel = Slightly firmer (M3 "Sport" vs. MS "Sport")
Braking Feel = Slightly softer/spongier (should be tightened up)
Throttle Response = Slightly touchier
Regen = Similar
AP2 = On par with AP1 ... but seems "naggier" and to require stronger "holds"
Motor noise = Quieter ... often inaudible (as expected, coming from AWD --> RWD)
Ride quality = Slightly worse (but still surprisingly good)
Road/axle noise = Much worse (only thing that seemed like cheap rental car)
Early-Days Missing in Actions: Auto-dim headlights, scheduled charging, easy entry
BOTTOM LINE
A Tesla tour de force.
Every bit as much of a "beatdown" to the ICE at the entry-luxury price point as Models S/X were at the luxury level (OK, perhaps less luxury than ICE but more of everything else) and as the Roadster was, and Roadster 2020 will be, at the supercar level. Game over.
Personally, I'm astonished what Tesla has done at roughly half the cost of a Model S ($35K base vs. $70K, $60K (presumed) LR/PUP/EAP AWD vs. $110K well-equipped 100D).
As someone who plans to upgrade MS 85D range before tax credit begins phase-out (the new M3 is my wife's), I'm now very much on the fence between 100D (with hoped-for refresh) or activating my second M3 invite when AWD becomes available. There's much I still prefer about MS. However, smaller-car canyon carving beckons. As does the prospect of being able to sell a three-year old MS to purchase a brand new M3 (almost) all-cash.
Very eager to hear what other early adopters think of the Model 3!
