Last Friday, 16th August, we collected our beautiful new Tesla Model 3 Performance from the Edinburgh Service centre. The experience was a little different than I expected, so I figured I'd share my experience here for anyone who might be interested.
Group Demonstration
I've seen a photos from some other members' Edinburgh collection and typically the cars seem to be parked in the handover bay for a one-on-one handover. That was not what happened to us.
When we arrived, we were led into a room with a demo Model 3 (SR+ in Red, if anyone's interested) and were told that we'd be part of a group handover with 3 others. The plan was to demonstrate the features on the demo car to us collectively.
While checking us in it was a simple signature on an iPad and (I _think_) a quick ID check, but I can't remember. The guy did recognise me from the store, so perhaps already knew who I was. He asked us if we had any specific questions, checked that we had the Tesla app installed and signed in, and explained that our private plates were waiting in the boot of the car (I had scanned my V750 and emailed this earlier in the week).
After everyone arrived and was checked in, he discussed a lot of the basic features of the car, how the charging network works, which apps and cards to get (like ChargePlaceScotland) and allowed us to ask any easy / simple questions. Most people who were collecting were, like us, well versed in the details of the Model 3 having spent months or years watching every scrap of YouTube footage there was. This was the downside of group collection - he has to cover these topics for the beginners (rightly so) but it meant a slower / less interesting experience for the rest of us.
Key Pairing
As this demonstration was going on, the four cars were brought round to the front and lined up outside. They turned on remote access and had us all open our apps and check that our cars were visible. He also asked us to use the app to honk the horn to ensure our car was out front. Of course everyone went a bit mad, like school kids who couldn't resist tapping the button just one more time...
The cars had the key cards placed in the appropriate place, so from the comfort of the dry demo room he had us each pair our mobile phones as keys. This was really slick and worked well. Then... the great reveal!
Shutters Up!
Finally the order was given to raise the rolling shutters and reveal our beautiful new cars. It was made very clear that we were in no rush, and could stay around to answer any questions, check the vehicle, or play around. We were told that the state of charge of the vehicles was between 60% and 90% (ours was 90%) but that we were welcome to use the chargers out front for free if we needed to.
We had a good look around the car and she's absolutely stunning. First aid kit, warning triangle, and yellow vest in the trunk. In the boot was the mobile connector kit, Type 2 cable, and our private plates. The guy was happy to explain anything, and told us if we struggled to swap the plates they'd gladly do it for us when our V5C came through.
One couple were doing a part exchange so they were hanging around for a little longer as they moved all of their stuff (child seat etc.) and again, nobody was being ushered out the door or 'politely encouraged' to leave.
I Bless the Rains Down at Newbridge
As it was a typical wet day in Edinburgh, I turned on the windscreen wipers just as we were leaving. First problem! The wipers weren't moving all the way across the windscreen, and were clashing with each other about half way.
The handover guy quickly took the car into the service centre to investigate and fix the problem. When he came back, he said that a bolt or something wasn't done up properly and as a result it had chipped the paint on the inside lip of the bonnet. He logged the issue and someone would call to arrange for the car to go in.
Sure enough, a couple of hours later I got a call from them. The bonnet would be completely resprayed and it would take about a week. Booked in for September 3rd where we'll get a loaner car. He even offered to send someone out with the car, seeing as it was their fault. I decided to just take the car in. We'll see how well the repair goes.
V5C Is Here
Our V5C arrived on Wednesday (5 days after getting the car), and we were able to add our plates on the DVLA website. Direct Line's website was easy to make the change on, and we were able to add the plates Tesla had made up for us.
The plates are a little tricky to get off and one. You have to get a screwdriver between the plates and the housing, pry up the housing to release the plates from the little moulded plastic retention clips along the top. Then the plate can just be lifted out. It took us a little while to get into it, but it wasn't too bad.
Needless to say, we're absolutely delighted with the car. It's our dream machine, and an absolute pleasure to drive. It's well worth the wait.
Group Demonstration
I've seen a photos from some other members' Edinburgh collection and typically the cars seem to be parked in the handover bay for a one-on-one handover. That was not what happened to us.
When we arrived, we were led into a room with a demo Model 3 (SR+ in Red, if anyone's interested) and were told that we'd be part of a group handover with 3 others. The plan was to demonstrate the features on the demo car to us collectively.
While checking us in it was a simple signature on an iPad and (I _think_) a quick ID check, but I can't remember. The guy did recognise me from the store, so perhaps already knew who I was. He asked us if we had any specific questions, checked that we had the Tesla app installed and signed in, and explained that our private plates were waiting in the boot of the car (I had scanned my V750 and emailed this earlier in the week).
After everyone arrived and was checked in, he discussed a lot of the basic features of the car, how the charging network works, which apps and cards to get (like ChargePlaceScotland) and allowed us to ask any easy / simple questions. Most people who were collecting were, like us, well versed in the details of the Model 3 having spent months or years watching every scrap of YouTube footage there was. This was the downside of group collection - he has to cover these topics for the beginners (rightly so) but it meant a slower / less interesting experience for the rest of us.
Key Pairing
As this demonstration was going on, the four cars were brought round to the front and lined up outside. They turned on remote access and had us all open our apps and check that our cars were visible. He also asked us to use the app to honk the horn to ensure our car was out front. Of course everyone went a bit mad, like school kids who couldn't resist tapping the button just one more time...
The cars had the key cards placed in the appropriate place, so from the comfort of the dry demo room he had us each pair our mobile phones as keys. This was really slick and worked well. Then... the great reveal!
Shutters Up!
Finally the order was given to raise the rolling shutters and reveal our beautiful new cars. It was made very clear that we were in no rush, and could stay around to answer any questions, check the vehicle, or play around. We were told that the state of charge of the vehicles was between 60% and 90% (ours was 90%) but that we were welcome to use the chargers out front for free if we needed to.
We had a good look around the car and she's absolutely stunning. First aid kit, warning triangle, and yellow vest in the trunk. In the boot was the mobile connector kit, Type 2 cable, and our private plates. The guy was happy to explain anything, and told us if we struggled to swap the plates they'd gladly do it for us when our V5C came through.
One couple were doing a part exchange so they were hanging around for a little longer as they moved all of their stuff (child seat etc.) and again, nobody was being ushered out the door or 'politely encouraged' to leave.
I Bless the Rains Down at Newbridge
As it was a typical wet day in Edinburgh, I turned on the windscreen wipers just as we were leaving. First problem! The wipers weren't moving all the way across the windscreen, and were clashing with each other about half way.
The handover guy quickly took the car into the service centre to investigate and fix the problem. When he came back, he said that a bolt or something wasn't done up properly and as a result it had chipped the paint on the inside lip of the bonnet.
He logged the issue and someone would call to arrange for the car to go in.Sure enough, a couple of hours later I got a call from them. The bonnet would be completely resprayed and it would take about a week. Booked in for September 3rd where we'll get a loaner car. He even offered to send someone out with the car, seeing as it was their fault. I decided to just take the car in. We'll see how well the repair goes.
V5C Is Here
Our V5C arrived on Wednesday (5 days after getting the car), and we were able to add our plates on the DVLA website. Direct Line's website was easy to make the change on, and we were able to add the plates Tesla had made up for us.
The plates are a little tricky to get off and one. You have to get a screwdriver between the plates and the housing, pry up the housing to release the plates from the little moulded plastic retention clips along the top. Then the plate can just be lifted out. It took us a little while to get into it, but it wasn't too bad.
Needless to say, we're absolutely delighted with the car. It's our dream machine, and an absolute pleasure to drive. It's well worth the wait.
