So I test drove an M3P and P100D with the family finally yesterday in Chicago. Cost not being an issue, they all hands down to my surprise liked the 3 over the S. Kids said it was way more comfortable in the back and getting in/out was easier. The 8 year old said.."dad I can see outside better, so I like it more". Even though I hit Ludicrous+ once and they all screamed for their mommies, I don't see not something I would do often. Just like the Launch Control on my GT-R was fun the first 10 times then it just didn't matter, impractical to get staged on a track as well.
I had test driven an M3 when it first came out and the fact that I could not get P3D with smaller than 20" frustrated me, as I already deal with my GT-R having a second set of wheels & blizzaks. Getting too old to keep swapping tires.
To my surprise the Tesla rep said you can absolutely have a P3D with 18' or 19" wheels and don't have to deal with a 2nd set of tires. Woah! Total deal maker!!!
I am placing on order and I am good with the 2K to get performance add on s/w. The question I am contemplating now are:
- 18" or 19" - difference between efficiency for long trips (do the aero covers make that much of a difference?) I do drive close to ~270 miles 1-way to see my ailing folks and would like to do it without stopping. Even though there is 1 SC on the way , rather hit it on the way back. How much of difference in handling 18 vs 19? I do hit the track 1-2/year, 1-2 HPDEs and lots of back country roads with spirited driving. Would like to do it in the P3D sometimes. Better to get 19" as a compromise or stick to 18"?
- What tires come on the 18" vs 19"? considering for winter/snow driving. Even though 18"+snow tires is best combo, I have lots of experience with 19" all-seasons on snow and i am comfortable with that, provided the 19" stock tires aren't rated poorly for snow, in which case i'd rather pay the 6K and get 20"s and dedicated or go to 18"s. As I hate to buy the car and 2 months later have to swap out tires in Nov/Dec.
For other track drivers out there - how much larger are the rotors on the 20" which is designed for track? How much quicker will brake fade start to happen without the extra metal on stock breaks? Is the limiting factor cooling or weight of the car. As a GT-R owner I know way too much about a heavy car that goes through a set of stock rotors in 1 weekend. Maybe better of looking at a set of after market rotors and pads?
Sorry for my long winded and most likely repeat questions. I am literally on the ordering page and want to make a decision by tonight. I started using the search and reading posts here, but because of all the subtle changes over the years to the M3, the information is too much and too different to decipher quickly enough. Gracious!
