Lots of thoughts.
The door thunk, sound insulation and softer ride quality are amazing improvements. I was mentally expecting good improvements but was still impressed. It's like a civic to a Toyota Avalon. Almost felt like magic. BUT there is a considerable loss of steering feel and response. The car is very capable but felt like a high tech appliance to me. Lacking character. I think it will be a home run for 90% of buyers who just want a city commuter. But for sporty buyers I would say buy used. I'm still waiting to try the highland performance which I'm sure will be the goat. For comparison I'd say a stock 2018 3 performance supension is a 1 for harshness. Adding tein shocks makes it a 6-7. Highland on 18" wheels a 10.
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Good write up. We own a 2019 Tent Build Model 3 SR+ with a performance rear drive unit on 19-inch wheels. Drove a 24 "Highland" on 19's. This particular car had a misalignment of the left front (driver's door) that required a couple of tries to get latched. Everything else lined up fine and the other highlands were all fine. Maybe a large person bent the hinge down (it happens on all cars) or someone had abused it.
In summary, the new Model 3 is the W210 E Class with better steering and power. It is your favorite most comfortable thing you own. It is more refined than anything I have driven since all cars started getting heavier and firmer.
+ The refinement is really, REALLY good
+ Like the slightly smaller steering wheel
+ Seems the sightlines are slightly better (lower cowl height?)
+ Very quiet
+ LFP battery (my 67,000 mile SR+ never saw 240, was 220 when new and around 204 for the last 20,000 miles... don't really care)
+ I like the steering wheel-mounted turn signals
- Slower, like *WAY* slower. Betting 0 to 60 down by a second or slightly more. For those with an SR do you recall how the car cuts power with steering wheel angle for stability? The cut-power is all the Highland has at any point. The Tesla rep riding shotgun thought maybe we had left the car in "chill." But nope, it is slow.
- Feels heavier (is heavier)
- Steering slightly numb (not terrible, but not sporty anymore)
The two cars are different enough that I do not consider the 24 a replacement for my 2019. Maybe the 24 "performance" will be a suitable replacement. The 2019 M3 SR is not a "sports car" in any real sense, but damn it makes for a good simulation of a real performance car. I would consider a 2019 SR to be the best starting point for a build of any sort.
I think the SWEET SPOT will be a Model Y Highland.
Comfortable and larger. Forget about being sporty in an SUV. It will be a Luxury-Utility Vehicle.