For AWD owners wanting a P3D-

[WilliamG]

People take themselves so seriously. Jeebus.


Confused by your math. The Stealth is $5k(+tax) less than the Performance with the Performance Upgrades Package (PUP) with any configuration, not $1k.. Most of us don't want the larger wheels since they zap range, add noise and reduce comfort.

Sounds like there are some folks getting quotes for alternate colors but still at the $49,990 (pre-FSD) price -- so potentially even more discount.

We got our P3D- several weeks ago and are THRILLED with it. Truly hits the sweet spot for performance and comfort.

Most of us? Huh?

I mean, the 3P- is a great deal for some, but the 20s are far from uncomfortable, the tires they come with MILES better in terms of handling and braking, and if you have any interest in track driving etc, the 3P+ is a better investment.

There's also no price you can put on aesthetics. The 3P+ is just a better looking car. You can get the 3P- to a similar place, but only you can determine if you want to put the money back into it.

My buddy picked up a black 3P- last week with no charge for the black paint - $49,990. Great price, and for the winter season on the east coast it made more sense to get that now, deal with the Aeros in the cold/snow - and then come next spring splurge on some good summer tires and wheels.

 

[ModelNforNerd]

Most of us? Huh?

I mean, the 3P- is a great deal for some, but the 20s are far from uncomfortable, the tires they come with MILES better in terms of handling and braking, and if you have any interest in track driving etc, the 3P+ is a better investment.

There's also no price you can put on aesthetics. The 3P+ is just a better looking car. You can get the 3P- to a similar place, but only you can determine if you want to put the money back into it.

My buddy picked up a black 3P- last week with no charge for the black paint - $49,990. Great price, and for the winter season on the east coast it made more sense to get that now, deal with the Aeros in the cold/snow - and then come next spring splurge on some good summer tires and wheels.

We have potholes in New England, so I have 19s on mine, with Pilot Sport 4Ss (same as you).

Rode on the Primacy All-seasons on 18s all last winter. My seasonal swap this year, I'll be on Nokian R3's on the 18s.

 

[WilliamG]

We have potholes in New England, so I have 19s on mine, with Pilot Sport 4Ss (same as you).

Rode on the Primacy All-seasons on 18s all last winter. My seasonal swap this year, I'll be on Nokian R3's on the 18s.

I know you can only be so careful, but if you're reasonably careful on 20s, you shouldn't have any issues. When I had my 2016 Golf R with 19s (only option), people were complaining day in and day out about the 19s and potholes etc etc. Never had an issue in 3.5 years on crappy, CRAPPY Seattle roads. I expect much the same with the 20s on the 3P+. We'll see. I already destroyed one wheel in the first 10 days in a freak accident, but that would have destroyed any wheel of any size. Since then, no problems so far. I'll keep hoping.

 

[sperkin]

I wonder if Tesla would sell you a used LR AWD, as a Performance via the push, then - if it were that easy. More likely, the could sell a Stealth as a LR AWD, via downgrade, across the board; but not the case with upgrading LR AWD's - only "certain ones", it seems.

No, they won’t do that. They only did the push because it’s mis-configured. I don’t think they will push used AWD and sell them as Performance since most people shopping for used cars want to pay the least. AWD will sell faster than a Performance.

Could you elaborate on how you know this? Friends car? Details, please.

Co-workers. They orders an paid for P- but only got regular AWD. I know 2 people personally that happened to them, and some other posts online about it. You can probably find it. This was back during the Q3 push in 2018.

I paid for EAP but never got it. They also pushed it via OTA. Told me not to drive for 2 hours. After work, I had EAP and can use it after the OTA. It’s not calibration because I have another M3 where EAP wasn’t available until 50 miles. My 2nd one never had it in the UI. Tesla pushes it to me after I complained it’s not in the UI after over 100 miles of driving.

Tesla are run by people and people make mistakes. If Tesla can push P on AWD cars then they can do this, but I don’t think they will sell it as an option. It will upsat many P owners.

 

[tomas]

Thanks, that was one of the confusing aspects of this thread's conversation which would make this M3P- not actually a vehicle that could be ordered. I wonder how many were produced? Is the thinking they were delivered with non Performance software (or with Performance software by mistake)? Were some of these owners able to get Tesla to install Performance software once they found out they had some Performance hardware (motors and power controllers) by mistake? How did the owners find out they were delivered a Frankenstein?

I'll just say it straight out; My Tesla Model 3 Performance is the most fun car I've ever owned in 52 years of driving. I smile every time I get in the driver's seat.

By the way, nobody has commented on my question of whether to have the Carbon Fiber Spoiler and Performance trunk badging installed. I would really appreciate all of your opinions about the matter.

Jeeeez, what??? You are asking for a replay of this thread. Just read it, then ask. Lazy bones!

 

[jebinc]

Jeeeez, what??? You are asking for a replay of this thread. Just read it, then ask. Lazy bones!

“Just read It”? It’s 51 pages long!

 

[yerEVan]

I want a PSemiD-

 

[john85775]

Most of us? Huh?

Yes. Most of us prefer comfort and range to looks. Ergo why Tesla sells the larger wheels at a relative premium, and why so few actually purchase them. Same as our X. It's a very similar story with the 20" vs. the 22" wheels.

 

[WilliamG]

Yes. Most of us prefer comfort and range to looks. Ergo why Tesla sells the larger wheels at a relative premium, and why so few actually purchase them. Same as our X. It's a very similar story with the 20" vs. the 22" wheels.

You seem to have reached a very interesting conclusion. It’s akin to saying people prefer a Toyota Corolla to a Tesla Model 3. That’s why more people buy Corollas than the Model 3.

The reason why so few purchase the 20s is because they’re more expensive. That’s it.

 

[john85775]

You seem to have reached a very interesting conclusion. It’s akin to saying people prefer a Toyota Corolla to a Tesla Model 3. That’s why more people buy Corollas than the Model 3.

The reason why so few purchase them is because they’re more expensive. That’s it.

There is a survey on this forum that asked the question on the wheels. It was overwhelmingly in favor of the 18" aeros at any price, followed by tons of qualitative reasoning and folks even trying to negotiate swaps out of their 19" and 20" wheels. It wasn't even close, if I recall - and included horror stories of the larger wheels being more prone to damage.

I could go on and mention there is an entire aftermarket space for spacers to allow for retrofitting 18" wheels on the P3D+ but you get the point.

 

[Msjulie]

Most of us? Huh?

There's also no price you can put on aesthetics. The 3P+ is just a better looking car.

My car is insulted. And your comment is only an opinion of course..

I prefer the 19" OEM on my car, find the spoiler sometimes a little showy and I really like the subtle but uncommon look of my MPP rotors.. so there's that.. everyone has preferences, that doesn't mean one is better than another..

 

[WilliamG]

My car is insulted. And your comment is only an opinion of course..

I prefer the 19" OEM on my car, find the spoiler sometimes a little showy and I really like the subtle but uncommon look of my MPP rotors.. so there's that.. everyone has preferences, that doesn't mean one is better than another..

No that's fair. I'm talking about the Aeros! And I can certainly see the showy part of the spoiler on any other color than black. On black it really blends well.

 

[WilliamG]

There is a survey on this forum that asked the question on the wheels. It was overwhelmingly in favor of the 18" aeros at any price, followed by tons of qualitative reasoning and folks even trying to negotiate swaps out of their 19" and 20" wheels. It wasn't even close, if I recall - and included horror stories of the larger wheels being more prone to damage.

I could go on and mention there is an entire aftermarket space for spacers to allow for retrofitting 18" wheels on the P3D+ but you get the point.

I'd like to see this survey. In any case, it doesn't take away from the point that free is always going to overwhelm anything else. Kind of how black was the free color, and now it's white. Guess which color will be more "popular" now?

 

[dmurphy]

The reason why so few purchase the 20s is because they’re more expensive. That’s it.

No. I made a very deliberate decision NOT to buy the 20s. Has nothing to do with cost, and everything to do with the wheels and tires themselves.

I specifically didn’t want low profile tires. They ride harsher, are not good in the winter, and are much more prone to trouble with potholes. The 18s are much more practical.

I debated about the 19s but chose the 18s instead. I’m contemplating buying a set of 19s once I wear out the tires on my 18s, and then turning the 18s into dedicated winter wheels. Two problems with that: #1, is have to store them somewhere (which is problematic!) and #2, when the weather’s bad, I stay home. I work from home, so no reason to go out when it’s really lousy. I’d just take my wife’s Enclave then anyway.

So - no - has nothing to do with cost, and everything to do with maybe some of us actually thought about what we want ahead of time ...

 

[Msjulie]

No that's fair. I'm talking about the Aeros! And I can certainly see the showy part of the spoiler on any other color than black. On black it really blends well.

I’ll concede Aeros with caps on my least fav

 

[ModelNforNerd]

I know you can only be so careful, but if you're reasonably careful on 20s, you shouldn't have any issues. When I had my 2016 Golf R with 19s (only option), people were complaining day in and day out about the 19s and potholes etc etc. Never had an issue in 3.5 years on crappy, CRAPPY Seattle roads. I expect much the same with the 20s on the 3P+. We'll see. I already destroyed one wheel in the first 10 days in a freak accident, but that would have destroyed any wheel of any size. Since then, no problems so far. I'll keep hoping.

I also have to go down a dirt camp road in Maine. It's reasonably well-maintained, but I decided not to take any chances.

 

[Swampgator]

There's no "performance UI". It adds the Track Mode button. That's the only user facing difference on the UI.

Source: my car.

No, you also have Sport mode instead of chill and standard.

 

[WilliamG]

No. I made a very deliberate decision NOT to buy the 20s. Has nothing to do with cost, and everything to do with the wheels and tires themselves.

I specifically didn’t want low profile tires. They ride harsher, are not good in the winter, and are much more prone to trouble with potholes. The 18s are much more practical.

I debated about the 19s but chose the 18s instead. I’m contemplating buying a set of 19s once I wear out the tires on my 18s, and then turning the 18s into dedicated winter wheels. Two problems with that: #1, is have to store them somewhere (which is problematic!) and #2, when the weather’s bad, I stay home. I work from home, so no reason to go out when it’s really lousy. I’d just take my wife’s Enclave then anyway.

So - no - has nothing to do with cost, and everything to do with maybe some of us actually thought about what we want ahead of time ...

Absolutely. I know a few people who made similar choices. But to be clear, I’m talking about the majority - they will always go with the cheaper option.

Just like the majority of people did not buy a Performance Model 3. I bet you the majority would prefer it. Yes, there are those out there that specifically do not want the 3P. The majority definitely do. But money is always going to be the determining factor for most.

 

[SupraDude]

Not to turn this into a debate between + and -. I'd have bought the + if it was the same money but it was hard to justify the $6310 additional moneys (Canadian doll hairs) of the + over the - knowing that I'm likely not going to track the car. The only big ticket item worth really having for me is the brakes but knowing how little if any I'd take advantage of having them on the street, it just wasn't worth it.

I can do my own installs so if I budget the following-
$3000 lightweight 19s and tires
$590 Eibach Pro plus kit, lowering springs, larger adjustable sway bars.
$300 carbon fiber spoiler
$50 metal pedals.
=3940.00
So I save $2370 and I have a car that is likely faster and more comfortable than a +, would handle better, looks custom and only hardcore Tesla people will notice the lack of bigger front brakes that I'm likely not going to use anyway. Also I have a set of winter wheels in this price. Seems like a bit of a no brainer in my situation.

 

[derekmw]

I know you can only be so careful, but if you're reasonably careful on 20s, you shouldn't have any issues. When I had my 2016 Golf R with 19s (only option), people were complaining day in and day out about the 19s and potholes etc etc. Never had an issue in 3.5 years on crappy, CRAPPY Seattle roads. I expect much the same with the 20s on the 3P+. We'll see. I already destroyed one wheel in the first 10 days in a freak accident, but that would have destroyed any wheel of any size. Since then, no problems so far. I'll keep hoping.

I thought Seattle roads were crappy until I moved here to San Diego, CA. lol