fit and finish issues

[billy/]

Hey, got my M3 on June 13th, currently in the shop for second time for warranty repair defects (AKA goodwill repair....don't tell the shareholders), but Rocklin CA SC is saying the issues I see are "normal", see pics. My M3 has sunken hood on sides, bulging headlights, missing paint on all the hinges and one spot to the right of the fender, bulging charge port, roof glass weather stripping sticking out two spots (seems front of roof weather stripping causing wind noise at highway speeds not sure, but my 2018 MS loaner does not have wind noise above my head), and bumper seal gap both sides.

I read here others have said they have sunken hood and bulging headlights, and that Tesla said it's normal. But reading online a hood that's not aligned with fender is not normal. And others have gotten there headlights flush while others have not, Rocklin SC told me there's no adjustment on headlight and when you make adjustments it can create other issues.

I have asked Tesla for escalation, but not hopeful.

 

[dduffey]

Nice color! I too have a MB delivered end of May (17xxx) and had similar issues (and a few others). Mine had all of yours except the glass mis-alignment?

I would suggest you pick the things that bother you the most and have them address those rather than all.

In regards to the paint, I have the same thing, and you can also see it where the fender meets the roof. When I went to Telsa and looked at 3-4 other 3s they all had this issue and some paint colors where more noticeable than others. I decided to let this one slide since there is nothing the SC can really do and getting another VIN would likely have the same thing and I hope in the future the paint process changes to address this for future vehicles.

Regarding the charge port, it looks like this is also very common. I have personally not seen a flush charge port.

Regarding the hood alignment, mine too was bad. They tried their best and in the process they scratched the paint a bit. The tech also said it was "in spec" but I complained that the way they tried to re-align it left the hood edge exposed to rock chips. Another tech standing by agreed and said he would work on it. In the end what they did was remove some washers _from the fenders_ (not the hood) which brought the fenders down, and also "in" which reduces the gap between the fender and hood. That may exacerbate the buldging headlights. In the end it still isn't "perfect" but I would say it is average. I knew going in that any work they do may cause some damage so while not totally happy about the scratches I also know that in a years time there will be just as many from kids/parking lots/road/etc.

So if where you have the sunken hood you also have a larger "gap" from the fenders being pushed up/out you may try to find another tech to show and suggest that as a possible solution. If you don't have a large gap there that may not work since you would end up pulling the fender in too close to the hood.

I recognize that I'm a bit of a fan boy, hopefully not an apologist. Overall I am happy because I left with a better car than I came in with since they also replaced a front windshield (stratched/defective), headliner (black sealant goop), and rear plastic seat cover (dent) at my request. The only thing they didn't fix was a high frequency 20kHz sound coming from under the back seat but I'm confident (after doing a few tests) that I can eliminate this by adding some sound barrier/matting under the seat.

Good luck and I hope they can resolve the hood.

 

[gambit48]

Yeah the Rocklin SC is not gonna fix any of that stuff.

As many S/X owners have told me, "a Tesla will not come out perfect"

Huge stuff, they'll fix. I had a misaligned bumper sticking out about 1/2" and bulging weatherstripping coming up about 1".

I have tons of stuff just a mm or 3 off, but they looked at it and said "Yeah, we can't do anything about that". Basically, stuff you can spot from about 10 feet away they fixed without any pushback. They're so slammed, I don't expect them to even try to address more minor things like yours for quite some time.

Not apologizing for them, just my experience and personal opinion.

 

[billy/]

I found this youtube video

showing the model 3 which looks like a flush charge port I think, it would have been nice if the camera was closer though.

My hood is actually just sunken on sides in the middle area, but everywhere else it's good. It appears the hood is just stamped wrong.

I was a 1st day reservation holder, I thought I was just going to be dealing with beta software and that's about it, more or less, a few days after I configured online, I watched Munro and Associates tear down, and I felt I just got kicked in the groin. Unfortunately, Munro's tear down is factual.

I appreciate the feedback gambit48 and dduffey, I post back if Tesla does any repairs.

 

[gambit48]

Please do. I've got some relatively minor stuff too that I'm not sure is worth the effort of fighting over and being without my car for. At least not until I find some more serious stuff. I've really only had the car for a week cuz it's been in the shop otherwise.

Just curious. Can you check the black triangle the side mirrors are under? My passenger side one is coming away at the top enough I think they'll replace without question. The right one is iffy. It's definitely not flush though. Both sides aren't. I think the bottom is the depth it's really supposed to be, but the top part is coming out. It's just sitting on top of weatherstripping so I think part of the problem is bad design in addition to bad assembly. Rocklin, I think, is just less willing to work with you than some other stores, although they're pretty polite about it.

 

[billy/]

When I get my car back from service I'll check them for sure. I think both sides of my car has toughs black triangles unsecured at the top (with play when I pushed on it) and glued at the bottom portion of the triangle. Sounds like you should schedule mobile service, but ya sure does not look like German engineering.

Rocklin, I'm empathetic that there overburden with factory warranty repairs (legal beagles like me wanting a new car in new condition, the nerve of me!) because manufacturing does not car about quality, unfortunately. It appears manufacturing's mission is quantity so they can be profitable.

 

[Az_Rael]

Regarding the charge port, it looks like this is also very common. I have personally not seen a flush charge port.

I HAD a flush charge port until it failed and I got the new revision. Now it sticks out on the bottom. I am bringing it up at my next appointment in August, but dont have high hopes for a fix.

 

[billy/]

OHHHH I see now, the original part # fit, upgraded/revised # part does not. May be a common theme with Tesla doing changes to parts.
:/

 

[dduffey]

I found this youtube video

showing the model 3 which looks like a flush charge port I think, it would have been nice if the camera was closer though.

My hood is actually just sunken on sides in the middle area, but everywhere else it's good. It appears the hood is just stamped wrong.

I was a 1st day reservation holder, I thought I was just going to be dealing with beta software and that's about it, more or less, a few days after I configured online, I watched Munro and Associates tear down, and I felt I just got kicked in the groin. Unfortunately, Munro's tear down is factual.

I appreciate the feedback gambit48 and dduffey, I post back if Tesla does any repairs.

Interesting that early builds maybe had a flush chargeport.

Yes, my hood was the same it was sunk on the side edges (moreso on the right) but flush at the top and bottom. I too thought it was the hood that was deformed, but comment from the tech was that it is not too difficult to adjust the fender edge that meets the hood.

 

[dduffey]

When I get my car back from service I'll check them for sure. I think both sides of my car has toughs black triangles unsecured at the top (with play when I pushed on it) and glued at the bottom portion of the triangle. Sounds like you should schedule mobile service, but ya sure does not look like German engineering.

Rocklin, I'm empathetic that there overburden with factory warranty repairs (legal beagles like me wanting a new car in new condition, the nerve of me!) because manufacturing does not car about quality, unfortunately. It appears manufacturing's mission is quantity so they can be profitable.

Yes, my triangles also stick out at the top. I know one other Model 3 was the same, although I wasn't looking for it particularly and didn't notice/pay attention if it was the same on others.

 

[Spaceman3]

My M3 front left headlamp overhangs the bumper by 1/2 inch. Totally unacceptable! The right side headlamp tolerances are acceptable. Luckily the service center agreed to attempt to realign it. I am concerned because the quarter panel and bumper seems to need adjusting with shims/washers too. The lady next to me had the same problem but with a M3 tail light. Also repaired by the service center. Service center admitted they were very experienced making these tolerance adjustments, like they come in all day long!!! Tesla CA needs to get a quality assurance person involved on body fit and finish or all Tesla profits will enter the black hole of service center budget overruns! Those who are picking up new vehicles in “5 minute” deliveries in poorly lit rooms need to put on full consumer guard. Tesla is passing a lot of sloppy work out to customers!!! I say take an hour minimum to methodically check all aspects of the new vehicle, in full sunlight!!! I will say, this M3 is the best driving sedan I have experienced. I love it, but just want the damn body fit and finish to look like a $60000 vehicle!!!

 

[Spaceman3]

Also, the silver color plastic shell on the R/P/D steering column RHS stem fits poorly on almost every M3. Mine is in repair at the service center. The shell on the LHS turn signal stem seems to be fine.

 

[billy/]

a bit of a story/rant you can skip it, I don't want to upset you

I hear you @Spaceman3, customer 1st, fanboy 2nd, checks......When I went to pick up my car @tesla Rocklin for 10:00 am appointment, got there 10 minutes early before they opened they unlocked the door and said not opened yet, which is reasonable, so I walked the lot, went behind the store to look around and technician saw me and said I couldn't be back here (a little odd I like to walk around ALL dealerships as I grew up off of stevens creek auto row, never an issue, I didn't see any Tezla trade secrets that I know of. I said I'm here to pick up my car, but he thought I meant for service instead of delivery (my bad). So he walked me through the service bay which had a mound of miscellaneous car parts on the floor of the shop labeled with blue tape (odd again). I go to talk to the service writer and told her my name and apparently there's another guy with my last name (I don't have a common last name), so she goes and get's a early model year of a MS, we eventually both figure it out, and as she's escorting me, we walk outside right by the other guys MS and she says, "Oh you don't want that one it has a lot of problems" (LOL). By now it's a little past 10:00 and door is still locked so she goes and reminds sales that they are open. I go check out the car outside with my official community Tezla M3 known factory defects check list, that I got from Tezla's own community forum.

I sorta thought maybe the car will be just fine, 50 50 chance, as I read some happy reviews on the Tezla forum. I did read some BAD reviews, but lot's of the time, the Tezla community would accuse the OP as a TROLL/non owner/hater/fake news dude.

Things started to get real after a while, a second sales lady steps out from the store and tells the other nice sales lady who was assigned to me to push the paperwork, "If he does not hurry up, he's going to have to come back and sign paperwork later." Things went from odd to my wife and I feeling disrespected. My car came with 2 small paint chips and 1 small paint blob (I'm telling you NO one, not even the detailer who detailed my car inspected my car), and other factory defects they agreed to fix/look at. Plus LOTS of other factory defects I found out later, hence me writing this original post of factory defects there refusing to fix (I mean who inspects the hinges for paint when buying at a new car lot). I stopped inspecting the car as things were getting uncomfortable. I read online that Tezla takes take of the customer and I figured I if I refuse and wait for another vin#, the next M3 will come with half of the defects anyways this car already has.

My plan was to get my lady a Model Y (she still needs a little more brain washing, I mean educating on the benefits of EV ownership) later later, but man.....Tezla did a pretty good job "anti selling" everything

Rant over you made it! Now go give your car a hug, it's not her fault she had a bad upbringing, I'm going to go hug my MS loaner.

BAD WOLF

 

[billy/]

Also, the silver color plastic shell on the R/P/D steering column RHS stem fits poorly on almost every M3. Mine is in repair at the service center. The shell on the LHS turn signal stem seems to be fine.

got that too #metoo, they refused to fix

 

[Uncle Paul]

In surgery there is a saying...better is the enemy of good.

Sometimes when trying for perfection the end result is even more screwed up.

Some things are pretty easy to adjust and if way out of wack should be corrected, but to try to make every little thing perfect can end up in more frustration than leaving it alone.

It is not unusual for the first year of so, for the production of a new model, to have more issues than those that will come along later. It takes a while for a new assembly plant to get their act together, and work out all the nuances of production.

This is not to say anyone should accept a new vehicle that does not come up to their expectations, but those expectations should be reasonable for a $35,000 base price car (even if you are paying $50k plus for options)

You get these same posts from owners picking up their new Lambos. They complain that the quality is worse than on a Camry.

Most posts say that Tesla is pretty good about post delivery fixes. That helps people to feel more comfortable about their purchases.

 

[gambit48]

Yeah, I just tell myself that I'm essentially driving a hand built car. Supposed to be automated, but Tesla ended up needing human hands way more than expected. You never want to look closely at handbuilt cars. Well, I guess if you bought a Tesla, then go find an Aston Martin or Maserati and closely inspect them to feel better about your own car.

 

[Spaceman3]

The Houston Westchase service center did an fantastic job correcting the LHS front bumper, quarter panel and headlamp. So yes, there is adjustment in the design that may be utilized to correct poor fit and gapping. A 27000 vin series vehicle is well beyond what I call first production. This is just sloppy work at the factory.

 

[billy/]

So electrek just showed off the performance version here

which has a flush charge port cover,but mine does not, what's up with that?

Can anyone can recommend a SC that's south of Solano County?

 

[trunks13]

My M3 front left headlamp overhangs the bumper by 1/2 inch. Totally unacceptable! The right side headlamp tolerances are acceptable. Luckily the service center agreed to attempt to realign it. I am concerned because the quarter panel and bumper seems to need adjusting with shims/washers too. The lady next to me had the same problem but with a M3 tail light. Also repaired by the service center. Service center admitted they were very experienced making these tolerance adjustments, like they come in all day long!!! Tesla CA needs to get a quality assurance person involved on body fit and finish or all Tesla profits will enter the black hole of service center budget overruns! Those who are picking up new vehicles in “5 minute” deliveries in poorly lit rooms need to put on full consumer guard. Tesla is passing a lot of sloppy work out to customers!!! I say take an hour minimum to methodically check all aspects of the new vehicle, in full sunlight!!! I will say, this M3 is the best driving sedan I have experienced. I love it, but just want the damn body fit and finish to look like a $60000 vehicle!!!

I have the exact same issue with the headlights. Noticed it the first day after delivery of my M3. The delivery manager said it was in spec, but since I had paint issues, they scheduled a SC appointment for the techs to check out. Will report back in anyone is interested.

The headlamp issue bothered me so much, that a few days after delivery, I went to my local Tesla showroom at a shopping mall nearby where they had the M3, S and X displayed. I spoke with a sales rep who patiently listened to my complaints for M3 delivery, but really couldn't do much else aside from offering a sympathetic ear. Interestingly enough, the M3 on display had the exact same headlamp issue where the passenger side overhangs the bump significantly more than the driver's side headlamp. As I was walking out, I said to the sales rep, I wonder if the model S has that issue. The Model S was even worse - the passenger headlamp was actually pushed inside the bumper! Its appears be be a systemic issue, which the sales rep noted, although I'm not sure if anything will be done.

It's just a bit disappointing as it soured the whole Tesla experience for me.

 

[billy/]

It's just a bit disappointing as it soured the whole Tesla experience for me.

Ya feel the same way. I mean we are not "shorts," just fanboys, got a car where assembly best practices are not in use.