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Production change - Gloss vs Matte steering wheel emblem?

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by MXWing, Oct 4, 2018.

  1. MXWing

    MXWing Well-Known Member

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    My nephew got his car back from Tesla with steering wheel replaced and was wondering why his wheel is all ugly and I’m like wtf are you talking about?

    He sent a photo and said his wheel emblem was gloss and not matte.

    Thinking he’s absolutely insane I go take a picture of mine and sure enough it looks like a change to me.

    Lighting conditions are different between our pictures but I feel there is a sheen difference.

    Top is my nephew, bottom two is mine.

    F32D75F0-E568-42D7-801C-C78F2132FAC0.jpeg 6D3D8381-B624-42DE-8978-DA7A363F74B7.jpeg 87842D53-11EF-488D-AF1F-A86A6FB779E1.jpeg
     
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  2. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

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    VINs? Because I really prefer the matte look, and am about to take delivery of a 73xxx car.
     
  3. MXWing

    MXWing Well-Known Member

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    My vin is 55xxx his is lower than that. Don’t think it matters on vin but date of manufacture once matte wheels run out.

    I suspect it might be all cars built after 9/30 is gloss emblem.

    Need more validation to confirm.

    Maybe the gloss wheels don’t have the turn signal issues like @voip-ninja ran into?

    Or gloss emblem is lighter and enhances 0-60. Not all changes are negative. ;)
     
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  4. HelloJohnny

    HelloJohnny Member

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    My steering wheel emblem is matte VIN 39XXX (Car was produced in July 2018)
     
  5. ebmcs03

    ebmcs03 Active Member

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    Is matte better? Most high end cars use gloss haha
     
  6. killertofu

    killertofu Member

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    This was a change that happened months ago I believe. I recall reading about this in other threads.
     
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  7. MXWing

    MXWing Well-Known Member

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    My car was a July build so not too long ago I think.

    It’s not going to get the same attention as ir glass gate but was just curious about the decision and if other changes went with it.
     
  8. SoCalGuy

    SoCalGuy Active Member

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    My car was built in September and has the matte steering wheel.
     
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  9. ngogas

    ngogas Active Member

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    Sounds like Juan on the assembly line for steering wheel emblems is spit balling two different color emblems.
     
  10. MXWing

    MXWing Well-Known Member

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    So there's

    -Alcantara gate
    -IR Glass gate
    -Gloss emblem gate
    -Hard Gen 1 seat gate

    What else has Tesla changed up since release? :)
     
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  11. Shizzrock

    Shizzrock Member

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    I wish I never saw this thread
     
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  12. ngogas

    ngogas Active Member

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  13. SoCalGuy

    SoCalGuy Active Member

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    Which do you have?
     
  14. forkee

    forkee Member

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    mine is matte or satin

    not gloss
     
  15. fseir

    fseir Member

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    94xx chrome. Didn’t realize they switched to matte at some point. Doesn’t bother me.
     
  16. Thomas Edison

    Thomas Edison Active Member

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    Softer suspension
     
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  17. MXWing

    MXWing Well-Known Member

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    So gloss was first and matte followed?

    Kinda odd for my nephew to get a steering wheel replaced yesterday and have it be an older variant?

    Looks can be subjective but I would say matte is better for that particular emblem.
     
  18. Thomas Edison

    Thomas Edison Active Member

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    It could be that they switched over to the matte on the production line and have all of the leftover gloss in the parts bin for replacement units
     
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  19. fseir

    fseir Member

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    Trunk garnish gate.
     
  20. Perry

    Perry Active Member

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    Mine is 99xxx built 8/18 and it is matte. I would have hated to get that cheep looking chrome version. The matte one is great and I love feeling it when I drive.
     
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