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I’d say get MR with the color you like and don’t worry about those extra 30 minutes 2-3 times a year! With V3 Superchargers coming soon that won’t even be an issue.Long distance driver will be 2 -3 times a yr max.
Lots of opinions and good advice, but in the end the decision is yours. The Tesla Trip Planner shows a generic location in OC CA to Las Vegas to be about 270 miles and suggests charging in Yermo CA at Eddie World which has 18 SuperChargers. The Planner suggests a 55 minute charge. I used the Model S standard range (which has an EPA range estimate of270 miles) in the simulation. The route is here: Go Anywhere | Tesla
I then entered the same route using the Model 3 LR as the simulated car. The Planner recalculated the route and suggested a 25 minute charge in Baker, CA a location with 40 (!!) chargers. The route is here: Go Anywhere | Tesla
According to Tesla's recommendations the difference in range of only 40 miles (270 on the Simulated Model S versus 310 on the Model 3) created a difference of 30 minutes at the charger. There are many points to consider in this simulation. First, the Model 3 has a faster charging cycle than the model S. In your case that's not critical at SuperChargers since all Model 3s will charge quickly, but what may be important is that only the Model 3 LR has 48 AMP charging capacity allowing you to charge at 44 miles/hour with a 60 AMP circuit. The SR and MR models only charge at 32 AMP capacity limiting top charging speeds to 31 miles/hour with a 40 AMP circuit. This may or may not matter to you, but it's something to consider as you decide where and how you'll charge you car on a daily basis. So in addition to the longer range of the LR version you also can charge more quickly. This can matter if you're charging at a "Destination Charger" instead of a SuperCharger. The Destination chargers are typically 60AMP circuits, not as powerful as the Supercharger. Using one of these chargers with the LR car will give you 50% more range per hour of charge. That may matter, and is worth considering.
Any Model 3 charges very efficiently and quickly at the Supercharger locations, so thinking about how to charge is worthwhile. Personally I don't charge to 90% at the Supercharger, typically only 70-80%. The reason is that the Supercharger charges faster when the battery is low, and deliberately slows down as the battery reaches capacity. (Search the forum for more details). The result is that the fastest way to get from A to B is sometimes counterintuitive. I often make two shorter stops (easy to do when there are lots of SuperChargers in route - and CA is loaded with them) instead of one longer stop. That's often faster and more efficient.
Another thing to consider is weather. Colder weather takes more time to charge. If you're traveling in colder climates be sure that you've heated your battery before charging. I would imagine that in CA this isn't a critical consideration, but I've spent a lot of time in CA and in some places it can be pretty chilly, especially in the morning which is when most people head to work. If you plan a longer trip you may want to turn on your climate setting and warm the car and battery before you leave - that will increase your range and add to your comfort. Typically after 30-40 miles of driving you're good to go even if you start with a cold car/battery. That may mean that you travel for an hour or so before hitting the SuperCharger instead of "topping up" as a SuperCharger at the start of your trip with a cold battery. There are many posts on the forum discussing this and other related topics.
Making your decision involves lots of variables, not just initial cost and options. Give some thought to how you'll use your car most often, where you'll charge and how often you'll charge, and how important range versus options may be to your initial purchase decision. You can always add AutoPilot or FSD options later (yes, they'll cost more than ordering them initially), but you can't add a larger battery once you order the car. The range should then likely be the primary focus of your purchase, all things being equal. Again, the trade offs are up to you, just be aware of them before buying any Tesla. For me, I bought the LR version without EAP or FSD options. I just added the AutoPilot at a discounted rate of $2K (available to prior owners who bought in 2018 or earlier only) which gives me all the things I really want - TACC, SelfSteering, and Automatic braking while AP is engaged. The EAP option was $6K when I initially ordered my car. The point is that I got the LR I wanted in my car, and Tesla had an unexpected sale that let me configure it the way I wanted nearly six months after my initial purchase. You may be able to do the same at some point if you don't need EAP right now. (You'll also likely get a 30 day free trial for EAP - and maybe including FSD features like Summon and NoA - after you take delivery of your new Model 3).
The point is that there are lots of choices to consider - all of them giving you different options and choices. Take your time to decide what you really need "Right Now" and what you may be willing to wait for. Good luck in your decision - you really can't make a mistake.
I’ve never understood this line of thinking. Why can’t you need it, want it, but still pick the one that will give the you the best overall value while you use it along with resale value when you go to sell it? It’s not an either/or argument.
I’ve never understood this line of thinking. Why can’t you need it, want it, but still pick the one that will give the you the best overall value while you use it along with resale value when you go to sell it? It’s not an either/or argument.
Long distance driver will be 2 -3 times a yr max. Most of my drives will be in socal. OC to SD or OC to LA. But i still think having the flexibility of not having to make stops is worth it.
The window sticker from an SR+ delivered this week indicates SR+ is the most efficient variant so far, probably due to less weight:
134 / 140 / 128 / 25 SR+
123 / 128 / 117 / 27 MR
130 / 136 / 123 / 26 LR
116 / 120 / 112 / 29 LR AWD
Just one consideration. I generally agree with others here that LR is probably your best bet. I ordered SR+ hoping that fuel efficiency, braking performance, and lateral grip are a bit better than MR and LR. I hate the idea of carrying around excess weight every day. But I don't go on many road trips.
Because almost any car in the "near luxury" category is going to depreciate like a stone, so it almost doesnt matter. If one is buying off resale value, they would be looking at toyota trucks (or various used porsches).
Thanks a lot for your detailed advise and explanation. I will be mostly charging at home, so a faster charging would be really helpful.
I have been leaning towards LR model over MR. I have taken the SR+ out of my consideration completely.
Maybe i can skip autopilot and add another color on LR
I know luxury cars depreciate. I am not new at buying luxury cars. I just want to compare and convince myself that going LR is not that much extra in comparison to MR.
I am most probably buying LR and j know it would depreciate.
Don't break the bank. Keep some money for vacation or buying a new home....>> 4) LR AWD 19" AP-FSD xxx/White
That is definitely a good option if i could only afford it.
Yes, you are correct. Sorry about that. I pulled the LR numbers from EPA fueleconomy.gov site, which you are correct is out of date now. Hard to keep up!Where did you get the LR figures? Is it from previous 2018 model. Tesla bumped the efficiency per they statement to get to 325 miles range from previous 310. So i would assume the sticker would show similar numbers to SR+.
My advice is to order the $37K SR+ and autopilot. I own the LR and I can tell you that range is NOT king, cash is king. I wish I could have all the extra money back and have the 240 mile range. Currently I only charge every 5 days or so, the extra range is wasted. But since I bought last summer I had no choice to get the LR battery. If I knew I could buy the SR+ just 8 months later for $37K then I would have waited for sure. You're very lucky to have this option. Maybe order the SR+ and autopilot, then go to the sales center and try to take delivery of an in-stock MR or LR by March 31st at a huge discount. Might get free paint and wheels too.
My advice is to order the $37K SR+ and autopilot. I own the LR and I can tell you that range is NOT king, cash is king. I wish I could have all the extra money back and have the 240 mile range. Currently I only charge every 5 days or so, the extra range is wasted. But since I bought last summer I had no choice to get the LR battery. If I knew I could buy the SR+ just 8 months later for $37K then I would have waited for sure. You're very lucky to have this option. Maybe order the SR+ and autopilot, then go to the sales center and try to take delivery of an in-stock MR or LR by March 31st at a huge discount. Might get free paint and wheels too.