Hi All,
I picked up my M3 LR on 7/1/18. Prior to that I owned 3 vehicles, 2010 E550, 2012 SLK350, and a 2011 Ridgeline RTL. I decided to sell the SLK when the M3 was going to be delivered. I had not yet driven the M3, or any Tesla for that matter. It's now been 7 weeks and I've put 1052 miles on it. Previously my gas costs averaged out to $145/month (Jan-June 2010), I've received my 1st PG&E bill since picking up my M3. This bill is $44.00 more than the prior month, during which I charged my car 4 times. I did not purchase gas during July, and only drove 10 mile on the 3 ICE vehicles. So my fuel costs dropped $100 per month.
Now on to the purpose of this post. If only I had known how much I'd enjoy driving the M3, I would've ordered the performance version, paid the extra $15k and sold the E550 too. There are some things I'll miss in the other cars that the M3 is lacking (CD/DVD player, massager in the driver's seat, cooling seats, Night Assist, and the auto opening/closing trunk). But overall it's a blast to drive. The regenerative braking is like driving a stick without a clutch.
One last thing I'd like to touch on is the complaints of non-M3 owners that there's no FOB. This is no issue at all, since your car unlocks via bluetooth when you walk up to it, it's much more convenient than a fob you've got to push a button on. And you generally have your phone on you anyway. Also, the RFID card is much smaller and lighter than a FOB and doesn't need batteries. Some also complain that you've got to put the RFID card on the center console to start the car, untrue as long as you can get in and press the brake pedal in under 30 seconds the initial swipe is all that's needed. Also, has any of them ever had to replace a FOB? Frigging EXPENSIVE, replacing an RFID card is $10 plus you can have more should more people need access to the M3. Don't know too many that want to drop $150+ each to have 3 or 4 total keys. Just my thoughts after a month and a half.
I picked up my M3 LR on 7/1/18. Prior to that I owned 3 vehicles, 2010 E550, 2012 SLK350, and a 2011 Ridgeline RTL. I decided to sell the SLK when the M3 was going to be delivered. I had not yet driven the M3, or any Tesla for that matter. It's now been 7 weeks and I've put 1052 miles on it. Previously my gas costs averaged out to $145/month (Jan-June 2010), I've received my 1st PG&E bill since picking up my M3. This bill is $44.00 more than the prior month, during which I charged my car 4 times. I did not purchase gas during July, and only drove 10 mile on the 3 ICE vehicles. So my fuel costs dropped $100 per month.
Now on to the purpose of this post. If only I had known how much I'd enjoy driving the M3, I would've ordered the performance version, paid the extra $15k and sold the E550 too. There are some things I'll miss in the other cars that the M3 is lacking (CD/DVD player, massager in the driver's seat, cooling seats, Night Assist, and the auto opening/closing trunk). But overall it's a blast to drive. The regenerative braking is like driving a stick without a clutch.
One last thing I'd like to touch on is the complaints of non-M3 owners that there's no FOB. This is no issue at all, since your car unlocks via bluetooth when you walk up to it, it's much more convenient than a fob you've got to push a button on. And you generally have your phone on you anyway. Also, the RFID card is much smaller and lighter than a FOB and doesn't need batteries. Some also complain that you've got to put the RFID card on the center console to start the car, untrue as long as you can get in and press the brake pedal in under 30 seconds the initial swipe is all that's needed. Also, has any of them ever had to replace a FOB? Frigging EXPENSIVE, replacing an RFID card is $10 plus you can have more should more people need access to the M3. Don't know too many that want to drop $150+ each to have 3 or 4 total keys. Just my thoughts after a month and a half.