Got our model 3 on Saturday - we had the winter tire and wheel package installed before delivery. The drive from Minneapolis was shortly after minor snowfall - but plenty of roads with some patchy snow and ice. The ride was excellent - including the dreaded "hard suspension" being actually very good.
This morning it was a different story - we had light drizzle with a temp around freezing, and the city did not get to our neighborhood by the time my wife left for work. It is slightly uphill, and it was completely covered with ice; she had great difficulty getting out to the main road despite enabling slip start. Once she got on the main roads, it was OK. I had a similar experience with my BMW 650 XDrive few years ago - and also on winter tires.
My take is
1. For all RWD vehicles. snow tires are a must in Minnesota; with those on, you are mostly ok - including in model 3.
2. RWD will not be as good as an AWD on snow. That being said, I would take a RWD with winter tires over an AWD with all season tires any time
3. When it is pure ice, it does not really matter if you have winter tires, AWD, RWD, FWD or whatever. The only things that may work then are chains and studded tires.
So if you are anxious to drive the 3 and don't mind splurging for winter tires, get your 3. If you want the extra safety of AWD, probably longer range, and probably more performance, you can wait for another ~6 months or so. We decided not to wait, and I am very happy with our decision.
This morning it was a different story - we had light drizzle with a temp around freezing, and the city did not get to our neighborhood by the time my wife left for work. It is slightly uphill, and it was completely covered with ice; she had great difficulty getting out to the main road despite enabling slip start. Once she got on the main roads, it was OK. I had a similar experience with my BMW 650 XDrive few years ago - and also on winter tires.
My take is
1. For all RWD vehicles. snow tires are a must in Minnesota; with those on, you are mostly ok - including in model 3.
2. RWD will not be as good as an AWD on snow. That being said, I would take a RWD with winter tires over an AWD with all season tires any time
3. When it is pure ice, it does not really matter if you have winter tires, AWD, RWD, FWD or whatever. The only things that may work then are chains and studded tires.
So if you are anxious to drive the 3 and don't mind splurging for winter tires, get your 3. If you want the extra safety of AWD, probably longer range, and probably more performance, you can wait for another ~6 months or so. We decided not to wait, and I am very happy with our decision.