UncertainTimes
Active Member
My paint is so soft I use the car as a pillow
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I’m on the verge of ordering a M3 SR+ in Blue, especially after test driving one and the recent updates. I’m a realist; I’m prepared to find a quirk or two on delivery day (and beyond), however one thing that still gives me pause are the horror stories regarding paint quality. I know that those who have been impacted are probably the most vocal and yet others have received nearly flawless products. But I’m just wondering what my odds are of getting a vehicle with mismatched panels, thin/bare spots, orange peel, and just generally a coat that is likely to fail in the 5+ years I intend to own the car. Are these paint issues hyperbole? Does anyone know if there have been improvements in Q4 2020 so far? What is the process if I refuse delivery? Looks aren’t everything, but I also don’t expect a car with that price tag to be a rust bucket after a few years of light daily driving in New England where there is occasional snow (Salt/sand) from Nov-March. I’ve had Audis for the past 15 years and while I’m looking for something new and exciting, I have to say that upon trade-in, my last 2 vehicles and my current 2014 A4 look(ed) nearly as good as they did the day I bought them. Am I overly ambitious that the M3 can hold up in the same way?
I'm amazed at the wide range of contagious bitching on this forum. My black late-2018 delivered Model 3 was great, on a par with current high industry standards. It looks new to this day, though it's never garaged, and black is notoriously tricky. And I believe their paint lines have only gotten better. Several neighbors have Model 3 or Y 2020 deliveries and are very happy. The dark silver finish looks the most striking to me, more than the blue. But I've only seen a few up close.
There are a few cases where paint or body issues appear warranted, things can slip by, Tesla is growing at a breakneck pace. But some people have expectations that cannot be met. Do you inspect a car with a micrometer and look for 1/32" panel misalignments? And I suppose some former Lamborghini owners expect a hand-rubbed multi-layered paint job that you won't get in a production vehicle. Audis look like most other cars to me, maybe I'm not looking close enough. Current paint technology is pretty good. Rust bucket? Not likely. I think you'll love the car, all around. Welcome to a great adventure.
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I’m on the verge of ordering a M3 SR+ in Blue, especially after test driving one and the recent updates. I’m a realist; I’m prepared to find a quirk or two on delivery day (and beyond), however one thing that still gives me pause are the horror stories regarding paint quality. I know that those who have been impacted are probably the most vocal and yet others have received nearly flawless products. But I’m just wondering what my odds are of getting a vehicle with mismatched panels, thin/bare spots, orange peel, and just generally a coat that is likely to fail in the 5+ years I intend to own the car. Are these paint issues hyperbole? Does anyone know if there have been improvements in Q4 2020 so far? What is the process if I refuse delivery? Looks aren’t everything, but I also don’t expect a car with that price tag to be a rust bucket after a few years of light daily driving in New England where there is occasional snow (Salt/sand) from Nov-March. I’ve had Audis for the past 15 years and while I’m looking for something new and exciting, I have to say that upon trade-in, my last 2 vehicles and my current 2014 A4 look(ed) nearly as good as they did the day I bought them. Am I overly ambitious that the M3 can hold up in the same way?
I’m on the verge of ordering a M3 SR+ in Blue, especially after test driving one and the recent updates. I’m a realist; I’m prepared to find a quirk or two on delivery day (and beyond), however one thing that still gives me pause are the horror stories regarding paint quality. I know that those who have been impacted are probably the most vocal and yet others have received nearly flawless products. But I’m just wondering what my odds are of getting a vehicle with mismatched panels, thin/bare spots, orange peel, and just generally a coat that is likely to fail in the 5+ years I intend to own the car. Are these paint issues hyperbole? Does anyone know if there have been improvements in Q4 2020 so far? What is the process if I refuse delivery? Looks aren’t everything, but I also don’t expect a car with that price tag to be a rust bucket after a few years of light daily driving in New England where there is occasional snow (Salt/sand) from Nov-March. I’ve had Audis for the past 15 years and while I’m looking for something new and exciting, I have to say that upon trade-in, my last 2 vehicles and my current 2014 A4 look(ed) nearly as good as they did the day I bought them. Am I overly ambitious that the M3 can hold up in the same way?
I’m on the verge of ordering a M3 SR+ in Blue, especially after test driving one and the recent updates. I’m a realist; I’m prepared to find a quirk or two on delivery day (and beyond), however one thing that still gives me pause are the horror stories regarding paint quality. I know that those who have been impacted are probably the most vocal and yet others have received nearly flawless products. But I’m just wondering what my odds are of getting a vehicle with mismatched panels, thin/bare spots, orange peel, and just generally a coat that is likely to fail in the 5+ years I intend to own the car. Are these paint issues hyperbole? Does anyone know if there have been improvements in Q4 2020 so far? What is the process if I refuse delivery? Looks aren’t everything, but I also don’t expect a car with that price tag to be a rust bucket after a few years of light daily driving in New England where there is occasional snow (Salt/sand) from Nov-March. I’ve had Audis for the past 15 years and while I’m looking for something new and exciting, I have to say that upon trade-in, my last 2 vehicles and my current 2014 A4 look(ed) nearly as good as they did the day I bought them. Am I overly ambitious that the M3 can hold up in the same way?
People coming from an actual luxury brand are luke warm and compare the price of a tesla to a similarly-priced ICE vehicle, leaving disappointment...
Tesla as a vehicle is an 11th hour effort - they are a technology company. IMO, the level of enthusiasm for the actual car is in equal, opposite correlation to the vehicle a person is coming from. This is narrow and anecdotal, but owners I know that are completely enamored with a Tesla have come from the tuner/hot hatch crowd. People coming from an actual luxury brand are luke warm and compare the price of a tesla to a similarly-priced ICE vehicle, leaving disappointment.
I have a blue 2020 model 3 (November 2019 deliver) and the paint is fine for a lease. Yes there is under spray. Yes there are defects. Yes doors were not in alignment upon delivery. No, it doesn't hold a candle to the build quality of a Porsche but it was a less-expensive foray into EVs than a Taycan.
BTW- I'm completely sold on EV. I've since purchased two Chevy Bolts for my technicians to use as service vehicles.