Model 3's Ride Quality
- Thread starter BobRoberts
- Start date
voip-ninja
Give me some sugar baby
Considering that BMW 3 series, Mercedes C class and Audi A4 are the cars that Tesla acknowledged they were gunning for with their Model 3 it would beggar belief if they did not track the cars against each other at their testing facility.
My current 3 series has AWD which historically has softer suspension than a standard 3 series... however for the LCI (life cycle impulse) refresh that BMW did on the 2016 models they firmed the suspension up quite a bit to react to consumer complaints that the suspension had gotten too soft and mushy.
This is similar to BMW going back and forth on steering feel.... they made steering lighter in the E90 cars (to make the little old ladies who want to park with no hand strength happy) and got a lot of backlash from core owners... so after a couple of years they went back to the firm "BMW sport" feeling suspension.
On the F30 series cars the steering effort is adjustable by way of the sport vs. comfort settings. This is something Tesla is apparently also doing.
The moral of the story is that you will never make everybody happy. Someone who drives a land barge that soaks up every bump on the road and enjoys that feeling (I call it the "grandma's cadillac" feeling) will never be happy with a car with a firmer suspension. Someone who likes attacking the occasional corner apex will always feel that a suspension that soaks up every bump is too mushy and compliant.
The eventual arrival of air suspension on the Model-3 will at least give some options to those who aren't happy but still want Tesla's most affordable EV to date.
Probaby out of date, but it could be changed with simple punctuation to: Model 3? Bad Ride!!
++ Quality!I'm thankful that owners here are giving their honest impressions and experiences driving this first production car, be it positive or maybe not so in the eyes of some. Everyone has a driving/riding experience that they want out of a car that they will likely have for some time (and at a pretty good cost above some ICE vehicles). Better if people's expections are inline with what they will find than not and that will go a long way to whether the owner is happy with the car or not. This is especially true given cars are being purchased without a test drive ahead of time. I'm on the side of softer ride and think my husband could go either way. But the car will be for my use primarily, at least I think so! Given that if I end up going with first production I'll be interested to get feedback on tire changes people make to give them a less "sportier" ride. Probably won't get our invite until February since we reserved so late.
LBusDoor90
Member
Ditto. I love not being suspension spoiled like many here apparently by only having owned a `91 manual trans Ford Escort for 14 years and now a `05 Prius for last 13 in my 50 years on this planet. Bring on this so-called "stiff" ride.
When the Bolt was released, the same 'bad ride' comment was made on the internet. I tested a couple of them and found them to be firm but not harsh. However, the 'specification list' on the Bolt included 'Performance Ride and Handling suspension' as standard.
Most the other low cost EVs handle like econoboxes with cargo in them.
If somebody really needs a small plush EV on a budget, there are many to chose from. Just not the Model 3 or the Bolt.
Most the other low cost EVs handle like econoboxes with cargo in them.
If somebody really needs a small plush EV on a budget, there are many to chose from. Just not the Model 3 or the Bolt.
Zaphod
Galaxy President (former)
On your TTS, do you have the magnetic ride suspension on or off? I also have a TTS (2011) and with magnetic ride on, the 3 is definitely more comfortable. With magnetic ride off, then yes, the 3 is more firm.
I've driven a 3 with the 19" sport wheels and I love the feel. Yes, the ride in the 3 is more on the firm side, but I would not call it harsh by any means. Of course, everyone has their different frame a reference and what they are used to driving, so no surprise we are seeing different opinions.
Ideally, I would like to see a similar suspension like Audi's magnetic ride that can be adjusted in it's firmness. The problem with Tesla's air suspension is that the height can be changed (which magnetic ride cannot), but the firmness of the suspension doesn't change significantly.
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
Not unusual for car owners to turn to the aftermarket to personalize their cars characteristics to their likeness.
While most report that the suspension is firm, they do not call it harsh, just more firm then they would prefer.
If indeed the ride is firmer than many customers would desire, the aftermarket will be quick to address the issue with softer springs and/or shocks.
On the other hand, if Tesla had released a floaty "Buick" ride, bet the complaints would be even louder.
The trend is for most to want a well controlled and great handling vehicle. Giving that up to gain a softer ride might be hard for many.
End point is that everyone has an idea of what the preferred ride/handling would be. Bet that after a few thousand miles in the Model 3, most will want to leave it just as it is.
While most report that the suspension is firm, they do not call it harsh, just more firm then they would prefer.
If indeed the ride is firmer than many customers would desire, the aftermarket will be quick to address the issue with softer springs and/or shocks.
On the other hand, if Tesla had released a floaty "Buick" ride, bet the complaints would be even louder.
The trend is for most to want a well controlled and great handling vehicle. Giving that up to gain a softer ride might be hard for many.
End point is that everyone has an idea of what the preferred ride/handling would be. Bet that after a few thousand miles in the Model 3, most will want to leave it just as it is.
Lasttoy
Active Member
My S rides like go kart. Hard as heck. Love it. Just put on ZR tires that are even harder. Get a Cadillac if you want soft ride. No sleeping on AP2. Mercedes says the hard seats are to keep you awake. I don't need cup holders, notice no ash tray. Ever drove a Ferrari? Porsche, Vette? Hard ride. Love it, no sleeping at 100mph.
If you head on over to the S forums you'll see that there are numerous threads about bad ride quality, regardless of the setup. I had 19" wheels and air suspension, supposedly the smoothest option. I sold my S a few months ago partly because of the horrible ride. I have a 3 reservation so all these posts about the 3 ride are concerning. If the ride is anything like my S, I won't be buying a 3. From my experience, the ride quality is hit-n-miss. I had several S loaners that all had different suspension feel. Even the loaners identical to my car didn't have the same feel as my car.
In terms of quality, there is a big difference between a sporty/firm suspension and a rough/jolting suspension. A lot of the S owners complaining about their suspension have owned lots of different cars with lots of different suspensions and know the difference. I now own an Audi A6 with 19" wheels, same size as my Tesla, and while the suspension is firm, it doesn't feel like my insides are shifting out of place with every bump in the road.
I think my approach to the 3 will be to not buy sight-unseen, but rather test drive an inventory model for hopefully a day or two before I commit to buying it.
In terms of quality, there is a big difference between a sporty/firm suspension and a rough/jolting suspension. A lot of the S owners complaining about their suspension have owned lots of different cars with lots of different suspensions and know the difference. I now own an Audi A6 with 19" wheels, same size as my Tesla, and while the suspension is firm, it doesn't feel like my insides are shifting out of place with every bump in the road.
I think my approach to the 3 will be to not buy sight-unseen, but rather test drive an inventory model for hopefully a day or two before I commit to buying it.
I wouldn't plan on there being any inventory models available for a test drive for a very long time. (Never the less a one or two day test drive.)
Your only chance would be if they make demo cars available at stores, but given that they can immediately sell every one they can make at this point there is no need for them to invest the money and time in having demo cars available.
Agreed. It may be awhile.. I could roll the dice and sell if I'm not satisfied. I just don't want to lose on depreciation. Depreciation on the S sale was brutal..
Zaphod
Galaxy President (former)
Just need to find a gracious owner to go for a ride/drive. Ride quality is and will always be a very subjective thing. There will most likely be trends on opinions, but what one person finds fine, another will not.
I found the ride firm and tight, but not harsh. It never felt jarring or bouncy like an unloaded pickup truck. It felt planted to me. I loved it. The car I drove I had the 19" sport wheels. The recommended tire pressures are on the higher side (45psi if I recall for the 19") so I'm sure that is coming into play. I imagine there is some break-in period as well for the springs, struts, bushings, etc. so while not likely to drastically change, may loosen up some over time.
I just drove a Model 3 and the ride quality was great. No complaints! I test drove an air suspension model s couple months back, and yes it had a slightly smoother suspension feel. I would not describe the Model 3 ride as firm, and I CERTAINLY would not describe it as rough. I'd describe it as normal/good, and then I'd follow up by saying it feels more like a sporty car than a Cadillac if people wanted to know more. My current car is a 2010 Prius.
Something doesn't sound right with your S. My S is very smooth with its air suspension and if yours makes you feel like your 'insides are shifting out of place with every bump in the road', something is very wrong.
brucet999
Active Member
To be technical, you are splitting hairs here. Tesla has stores and service centers. In California, Tesla company stores are licensed as dealerships solely because the only application form available was for a dealership.
eMotionRentals
Closed
And I am one of those people. My 2015 S had coils. My 2017 S has air suspension. FAR prefer the coils over air suspension. Of course, I used to have a Mini Cooper S, and with that suspension you felt every bump, so perhaps I'm not the best judge of a ride.
Xminus6
Member
The 3 we just picked up doesn't feel that stiff. It's definitely softer than an old P85 S. It really feels like a 3-series BMW or thereabouts. Certainly not uncomfortable, just appropriate for a sport sedan.
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