With the caveat that this information is only based on an Elon tweet, so take it with a grain of salt. The actual Model 3 website says nothing about them offering air suspension on the Model 3 at all.
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Model 3's Ride Quality
- Thread starter BobRoberts
- Start date
With the caveat that this information is only based on an Elon tweet, so take it with a grain of salt. The actual Model 3 website says nothing about them offering air suspension on the Model 3 at all.
I haven't read this whole thread, but we took our 3 in fo an unrelated issue.
I asked about the suspension swap. I heard back today that if we want, we can switch to the softer ride suspension (VIN #14xx, built December 17).
The service center contact referred to it as the "sport suspension" that's discontinued. He said we can switch to a softer ride suspension if we'd like but it won't be possible to swap back to the currently suspension.
I don't find the current ride to be too harsh. It's definitely stiffer than my S, but no so much that it bothers me. I declined the suspension swap for now, though, so perhaps we could drive a later Model 3 to see what the difference is.
I asked about the suspension swap. I heard back today that if we want, we can switch to the softer ride suspension (VIN #14xx, built December 17).
The service center contact referred to it as the "sport suspension" that's discontinued. He said we can switch to a softer ride suspension if we'd like but it won't be possible to swap back to the currently suspension.
I don't find the current ride to be too harsh. It's definitely stiffer than my S, but no so much that it bothers me. I declined the suspension swap for now, though, so perhaps we could drive a later Model 3 to see what the difference is.
[email protected]
Member
Andrew,,, I followed the same steps you did [phone call etc.} and now I will be getting the New Parts for my car..@[email protected] - Just got back from the SC. They hadn't actually ordered the parts yet (doh!) so they placed the order and sent me home with my car. When the parts come in next week they'll send a valet to pick up the car and drop off a loaner. They said it's a one-day (possibly same day) job to do the suspension fix. Looking forward to having the improved suspension next week!
Thanks for posting...Vin. 2113 del. on 12-27-17...MarkForever...still have the same impression after a few more days under your belt?
Yes, although it's super tough to evaluate without doing proper A-B comparisons.
The washboardy section of I-405 which were previously so bad as to raise questions about Model 3 are now merely lousy.
What's surprising is that taking our air-suspended S back over that section really doesn't seem noticeably better. That implies that much of my perception of a Model 3 "ride problem" arose from the simple act of putting it under a microscope.
All in all, the bottom line is that, especially with the revised suspension, I find the Model 3's ride eminently doable. Road, tire, and wind noise are actually a bigger differentiator between 3 and S.
Best sense I have of the Model 3's ride, noise ... and handling is that they remind strongly of an E-46 era BMW. Of course, torque, acceleration, interior, efficiency, etc. are pure 2018-era Tesla!
Thanks. I also find that one "adapts" with regard to suspensions and after a while, as you note, it all starts to feel "normal". Honestly, though Tesla has always erred on the side of sporty with regard to their suspensions. Interestingly enough, my own Model S (P85+) is actually at its worst on the washboard roads near my house. They actually generate almost a rapid drum like resonance in the chassis...something none of our other cars (even with sporty suspensions) have done. I attribute it to Tesla's relative lack of maturity in NVH tuning. Oh and when you say there is a bigger difference with regard to road/tire/wind noise I assume you are indicating the 3 is LOUDER than the S in that regard - correct?
You might find Teslanomics’ data analysis on this topic interesting. The test evaluates before and after change to Unplugged Performance Dual Rate springs.
K-MTG
Sunshade Captain of TMC
I found my late January M3 to have a harder ride than I liked. Lowered the air pressure from 49 lbs as delivered to the 45 lbs on the door label and am now happy. Not as silky and creamy as the S with air suspension but a little stiffer suspension seems appropriate for this car.
Tire noise is definitely louder than the S.
Tire noise is definitely louder than the S.
The springs are $335 Unplugged Performance | Dual Rate Lowering Springs for Tesla Model 3
Here's a chart to illustrate how our different spring options compare to factory
gilscales
Banned
I will be running one of these 2 tires when I take delivery to improve ride along with Unplugged Performance's mild dual rate springs.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...8PREASXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...CP7ASPXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
for comparison here is the stock tire in 18's
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...8MXM4PXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
I bought a VW Passat TDI SEL new in 2013, it came with 235/45/18's, after 2,000 miles I switched out to super sport pilots in 245/45/18 and the car of course handled much better than the stock continentals it came with but to my surprise the comfort level was as good as stock, I figured it must have to do with the slightly larger size ( not by much as it is 0.4" taller and wider than stock ) so those wore out before 30,000 miles and I replaced them with the Premier a/s, WOW was that the most comfortable tire I put on the car and handling was very close to the super sports, got 50,000 plus out of those and when I went to replace them it was going to take 2 weeks to get them as no one had them anywhere, put the pilot sport a/s 3+ on and it did handle better than the premier a/s but at a noticeably stiffer ride.
I like the 245 in place of the 235 as the added size makes the car feel more planted while allowing for lower air pressure of 3 psi to get the same load rating, my car weighs about 400 lbs, less than model 3 and i run my tires at 33 lbs. to get even tread wear, I would guess 36 to 38 psi would be fine in the model 3 with these tires, my speedo is only off 1 mph at 70 so its not that big of a deal.
FYI, The Pirelli P7 a/s plus is supposed to be the most comfortable and quiet riding tire of all tested in this size and load range at the expense of not being rated the highest in wet traction.
seattlite2004
Active Member
tagpats
Member
I noticed an improvement in my ride quality by raising my seat slightly. I had it as low as it could go and after elevating it, the harshness I was experiencing on rougher secondary roads is improved. Don’t know if this is all in my head or maybe I’m just adapting to the ride, but it did seem to improve the jarring I was experiencing. Ride is perfect on highways.
Citroen is very particular when it comes to suspensions. I know they used to have hydraulic suspensions... not sure they use them anymore... I remember a friend had one and the ride was extremely smooth.
Hydropneumatic suspension - Wikipedia
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