Collected from Bluewater on Saturday, 9am slot
Was picked up from home in Essex at 8am for a lift to the collection centre. By the time we got to the bottom of the road a traffic update kicked in on the radio to tell us Dartford crossing was down to one lane and to be avoided
. Not many route alternatives to Bluewater so our 30min trip turned into a 90min queue but it could have been worse. Arrived within the hour slot
A LOT of Teslas at the delivery centre and the kind lady on reception said more were arriving every day. We were one of 2 or 3 groups I could see collecting. No queues, straight in, quick look at driving license and a squiggle of the phone screen was all it took to be handed the cardboard pouch containing the keys. "Your car is somewhere in this row, or maybe that row. Congratulations and enjoy your Tesla"
So the delivery experience ended. At this point I pretty much forgot what I was supposed to do. We found the car a couple of spaces along from the desk and I started to look around it. In truth the cars were too close together and the light in the ground floor of the multistory was far too dim to really see anything of note. I mentioned elsewhere if you are really wanting to do a proper inspection in those conditions take a torch. I tried my phone light but gave up. Gaps all looked good to me, chargers and first aid kit all present. Rear foot mats were in the boot
Took 4 tries to get into the car with the card. Had a quick check inside and spent 20mins faffing about with the screen and settings without any real plan as to what I was doing. Had to ask for staff assistance to close down the Netflix app
I put all this down to the heady mix of nerves and excitement haha
49% charge and I forgot to check odometer (also didn't know how to) so I rolled slooooooowly out into the awaiting SCs for a quick bit of juice
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Big shout out the guy in the stall next to me who quickly I identified my confused face and helped with the selection between the two available SC charging cables and I was going
Out of Bluewater and onto the M25 the car was awesome. Could not be happier. No squeaks or rattles, suspension (coming from a Panamera) feels just right given the performance - I'm honestly confused by the fussy reviews and reception here. Much softer and you'd feel like you were in a bus
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Car was certainly grubby, but looked like it had been prepped but had been left for quite some time. As I presumed I got a cancellation slot this made sense. No paint issues that I noticed once out into the light but its booked for ceramics on the 10th so will get any feedback on that from the detailer.
I'll update some better pics and feedback by the end of the week with a few more miles on the clock, but I really am smitten. The tech, the convenience, the performance.... it's all such a great package.
My only small gripe if over duelling phone keys. Both me and my wife have driving profiles (I'm 6'4 and she is 5'6 - so there are some differences in set up!) but if we both approach the car it seems to get confused as to who is going to drive. If the car is set in my profile but decides to select my wife's profile as I sit down it crushes me against the steering wheel like a trash compactor
Enjoy your cars class of Q3. I am absolutely delighted with mine
