How long to schedule a service appointment?

[jmoon80]

Hi. Picked up a new M3LR on Monday. Clean(ish), no dents, scratches or swirls. Had been having sleepless nights worrying about the state it would be in, after spending too long online...

Only negative is what I'm fairly certain is just a wheel balance issue (but would like to get alignment checked at the same time). Used the app to request an appointment at Dartford SC but well over 24 hours later no sign of scheduling a date.

To get to the point, my question is: how long is normal to wait for a response (beyond the initial acknowledgement)? Even if the appointment is a way out, I'd really like to have it in the diary. Tried calling but sat on hold for an hour...

Thanks

 

[Ticked]

We have always found it easier to get a service appointment on site or via the ranger from Gatwick if it is an option for you. Dartford is very easily affected by M25 nightmares so the start times for appointments can be a bit unachievable. It just depends on how busy they are and whether the parts you need are available. Have normally found that we have been able to schedule an appointment and then it gets adjusted. You may find that when you get a call back to check that the person calling works in a totally different part of the country to where you are going. Good luck.

 

[Medved_77]

There's been previous posts about difficulties in getting Tesla service to correctly balance the wheels and I'm also unsure how many of the service centres have 4 wheel alignment machines.

Tesla also use sticky (weighted) pads, rather than steel for balancing weights. These can be more finicky, they stain easily and I'm just not convinced they're as durable as the traditional weights they replace.

I know it's a brand new car, and you shouldn't be expected to sort the wheel balance or alignment out yourself, however for <£100 personally I'd absorb the cost and take it to a garage that specialises in alignment so that you know it's going to be done right.

 

[jmoon80]

There's been previous posts about difficulties in getting Tesla service to correctly balance the wheels and I'm also unsure how many of the service centres have 4 wheel alignment machines.

Tesla also use sticky (weighted) pads, rather than steel for balancing weights. These can be more finicky, they stain easily and I'm just not convinced they're as durable as the traditional weights they replace.

I know it's a brand new car, and you shouldn't be expected to sort the wheel balance or alignment out yourself, however for <£100 personally I'd absorb the cost and take it to a garage that specialises in alignment so that you know it's going to be done right.

Thanks. That was my initial plan actually, and "happy" to pay, but I tried a couple of tyre fitters (with decent Hunter machines) who said they won't do Tesla (I've read a few threads on this) so defaulted to the SC option (which I thought would be quick and easy at least). Any recommendations within a reasonable distance of SE London?

 

[jmoon80]

We have always found it easier to get a service appointment on site or via the ranger from Gatwick if it is an option for you. Dartford is very easily affected by M25 nightmares so the start times for appointments can be a bit unachievable. It just depends on how busy they are and whether the parts you need are available. Have normally found that we have been able to schedule an appointment and then it gets adjusted. You may find that when you get a call back to check that the person calling works in a totally different part of the country to where you are going. Good luck.

Thanks. Good to know re Gatwick. It's definitely within reach

 

[Medved_77]

Thanks. That was my initial plan actually, and "happy" to pay, but I tried a couple of tyre fitters (with decent Hunter machines) who said they won't do Tesla (I've read a few threads on this) so defaulted to the SC option (which I thought would be quick and easy at least). Any recommendations within a reasonable distance of SE London?

The post I was referring to in my last post was this one:

Vibration/juddering at motorway speed Model 3 2021 facelift

Anyone else experiencing this? Littlerally collected my car today and instantly felt something wasn't right. Of course I'll report this to tesla, but just curious if anyone else's brand new motor has this issue? My steering feels like it's pulling to the left and my car is shaking through the...

teslamotorsclub.com

Info about who can/can't do alignment here:

4 wheel alignment - non SC

Can a 3rd party perform a 4 wheel alignment on the model 3? I'm finding conflicting information online. I really don't trust my local (Edinburgh 35 miles) service centre as they couldn't even balance a wheel correctly previously, so I'm trying to avoid using them as much as possible. My local...

teslamotorsclub.com

Edit: Skimmed the alignment post again and not sure if the OP found a solution!