Just got car - noticing more body roll on twisty roads than usual

[AcesUp]

Just got car few days ago and fine on city streets but when I get on our tollway (at freeway speeds) which has newly paved roads with some nice twists here and there the car has a strange side to side reaction. Even though I've been driving an Audi S5 and CLk55 AMG lately before theTesla arrived I certainly don't expect it to bite down into those curves like those cars do however this still doesn't seem right. Even our 2016 Honda Pilot doesn't behave this way on those roads and it is far from a good handling vehicle.

M3 is SR+ and is running Michelin Primacy tires on the base Aero wheel. Generally I've done well with any kind of Michelin and wonder if these are made differently for EVs or something. I might take some air out and see what happens. They are at 46 psi now. I'd give up some range to have better handling. Also the car sits a bit high and maybe that has something to do with it or maybe Tesla hasn't quite developed a good suspension setup for the base car.

Anyway has anyone else noticed what I'm talking about? Otherwise hard to complain about the vehicle but handling is important to me.

 

[zhu-]

Unfortunately it's how all Model 3s are, with the exception of the P3D+, if you're used to driving german cars. It's lacking in spirited driving dynamics for a car that can accelerate as quickly as it can. Your only option is going with an aftermarket suspension though lowering springs might help a bit as well.

 

[SD_Engnr]

Those are commuter/efficiency tires. High sidewall, and less grip. Switch it up to a tire as comparable as the S5 or AMG had, and you'll likely notice a big improvement in handling.

 

[M109Rider]

I’ve driven BMW AWD for years now, and I find my model 3 AWD handles better.
I’m not sure what you lads are referencing. ?

 

[Camera-Cruiser]

Tires, then mountainpassperformance.com for some coilovers?

 

[AcesUp]

I’ve driven BMW AWD for years now, and I find my model 3 AWD handles better.
I’m not sure what you lads are referencing. ?

What kind of BMW was it?

 

[AcesUp]

Does the model three have any sway bars?

 

[240W]

Does the model three have any sway bars?

You mean aftermarket?
Adjustable Sway Bars for Tesla Model 3 - Unplugged Performance

Haven’t searched, anyone running them?

 

[GolanB]

Does the model three have any sway bars?

see: 2018 Tesla Model 3: Everything We Know | Feature | Car and Driver

 

[kbecks13]

Does the model three have any sway bars?

Yes, it's pretty much a conventional suspension (no fancy electron suspension yet!) I agree that most of your problem is from the tires and how much rubber you have. It will flex under side load and you will feel the car sway. That said, the stock suspension is still fairly soft IMO especially in terms of body roll.

Would suggest getting upgraded sway bars as a first step since they are much cheaper than coilovers, but both are a good idea

Haven’t searched, anyone running them?

Yep a few people, i'm one of them and they are definitely worth it. I wish i had tried them before getting coilovers, but even with a stiff set of coilovers i could still feel a difference in body roll reduction. DAErik on YouTube also has them, so does @mcbarnet007 and a few others i think.

 

[Matt L]

Unfortunately it's how all Model 3s are, with the exception of the P3D+, if you're used to driving german cars. It's lacking in spirited driving dynamics for a car that can accelerate as quickly as it can. Your only option is going with an aftermarket suspension though lowering springs might help a bit as well.

That’s not how my LR RWD is. It is very sure footed and handles very well in turns.

 

[Lunares]

Yes, it's pretty much a conventional suspension (no fancy electron suspension yet!) I agree that most of your problem is from the tires and how much rubber you have. It will flex under side load and you will feel the car sway. That said, the stock suspension is still fairly soft IMO especially in terms of body roll.

Would suggest getting upgraded sway bars as a first step since they are much cheaper than coilovers, but both are a good idea



Yep a few people, i'm one of them and they are definitely worth it. I wish i had tried them before getting coilovers, but even with a stiff set of coilovers i could still feel a difference in body roll reduction. DAErik on YouTube also has them, so does @mcbarnet007 and a few others i think.

I'm planning on full coilovers + lowering etc next year. Think I should put the sway bars in early? or just do them all at once

 

[SD_Engnr]

I'm planning on full coilovers + lowering etc next year. Think I should put the sway bars in early? or just do them all at once

I vote sway bars first. You'll notice a difference right away, especially on an auto-x course where you can dial in some oversteer to get the car to rotate better.

 

[spacemnspiff]

Yes, it's pretty much a conventional suspension (no fancy electron suspension yet!) I agree that most of your problem is from the tires and how much rubber you have. It will flex under side load and you will feel the car sway. That said, the stock suspension is still fairly soft IMO especially in terms of body roll.

Would suggest getting upgraded sway bars as a first step since they are much cheaper than coilovers, but both are a good idea



Yep a few people, i'm one of them and they are definitely worth it. I wish i had tried them before getting coilovers, but even with a stiff set of coilovers i could still feel a difference in body roll reduction. DAErik on YouTube also has them, so does @mcbarnet007 and a few others i think.

Thanks for replies about sway bars, that's one of the first mods that I need to do the car.

Does the Performance model have different sway bars than the other models, if so, what are stiffness numbers for those?

 

[kbecks13]

Does the Performance model have different sway bars than the other models, if so, what are stiffness numbers for those?

I think they are all the same sway bars between non-P and P, but i'm not positive. Unplugged Performance has some numbers on their website

Adjustable Sway Bars for Tesla Model 3 - Unplugged Performance

 

[spacemnspiff]

I think they are all the same sway bars between non-P and P, but i'm not positive. Unplugged Performance has some numbers on their website

Adjustable Sway Bars for Tesla Model 3 - Unplugged Performance

Thanks for the reply.

What setting are your running on the sway bars for track?

I want it more for neutral handling, I don't plan to track the 3.

 

[devildogDMD]

Yes, it's pretty much a conventional suspension (no fancy electron suspension yet!) I agree that most of your problem is from the tires and how much rubber you have. It will flex under side load and you will feel the car sway. That said, the stock suspension is still fairly soft IMO especially in terms of body roll.

Would suggest getting upgraded sway bars as a first step since they are much cheaper than coilovers, but both are a good idea



Yep a few people, i'm one of them and they are definitely worth it. I wish i had tried them before getting coilovers, but even with a stiff set of coilovers i could still feel a difference in body roll reduction. DAErik on YouTube also has them, so does @mcbarnet007 and a few others i think.

I've ordered a sway bar for the rear in March and still don't have it from unplugged. How did you get it already? They told me they are waiting until after Tesla Corsa. But still waiting... I can't run both due to scca rules.

 

[Lunares]

I've ordered a sway bar for the rear in March and still don't have it from unplugged. How did you get it already? They told me they are waiting until after Tesla Corsa. But still waiting... I can't run both due to scca rules.

Well you can run both but it will bump you out of street and SCCA hasnt properly classed a molded Tesla in STU yet

 

[CarlK]

I remember when the 3 first came out there were complains that the ride was too harsh. Tesla made some modifictions to make it more comfortable. You just can't please everyone everytime. This is a family sports sedan before it's a track car. Get new springs/anti-sway bars and stiffer tires if not the performance model if your need is different than what's offered. Everyone who's into spirited driving knows that.

 

[mswlogo]

I remember when the 3 first came out there were complains that the ride was too harsh. Tesla made some modifictions to make it more comfortable. You just can't please everyone everytime. This is a family sports sedan before it's a track car. Get new springs/anti-sway bars and stiffer tires if not the performance model if your need is different than what's offered. Everyone who's into spirited driving knows that.

The only difference between the Performance and RWD/AWD is wheels and tires (as far as handling goes), so why the exclusion for Performance. Wouldn't it be easier / cheaper to just do the wheels/tires first?

I'd try driving a Performance + to see what it feels like before doing anything.

Even with Aero's the Model 3 feels like it's on rails to me. Although my VW CC (more or less an A5) is no S5 there is no comparison with the Model 3. To much body roll, that's funny. I'm sure 20" sticky tires will bring it up another notch though. I moved from 18" (all season touring) to 19" (also all season touring) and barely notice any difference in handling (didn't really expect to and hoped not to). But I don't drive it like a stole it either.

I will say I doubt switching 18" all season to 20" summer will "fix" body roll. In fact a better gripping tire might roll more

Not sure how much of the 18" (lack of handling) is the side wall vs the rubber. There are quite a few folks that run 18" Michelin PS4S (or similar). Might ask them.