Question About Model 3 Performance

[Sunny5280]

So, a month ago I purchased a 2019 Model 3 Performance which I am very pleased with. Love driving it and the acceleration, when put into angry mode, is quite a thrill. However while reading more about the car I read that optional an optional performance package was made standard in late 2018. My vehicle has a 07/2019 production date but it doesn't appear to have any of these standard (previously optional) parts:

• 20" wheels
• 20" tires
• Spoiler
• Upgraded brakes (not sure about this)

I'm fine with not having the first three but would have preferred the upgraded brakes (assuming I don't have them). Can anyone explain why a standard components for the performance model don't appear to be included on my M3P?

 

[Rmchrger]

Seems you have what is called a sleeper or stealth model 3. Just as you say performance power without the 20" wheels, brakes, spoiler, fancy pedals and the slightly lowered springs. Most came with 18 aeros but some purchased the 19" wheels for the extra $1500. I did, then went aftermarket. Unless you track the car you probably wont notice the brake difference except for the fancy red painted calipers.
If I may ask, did you pay full performance price for yours? Mine was 6k less than a performance but more than the LR AWD. ( I thnk if I remember correctly)

 

[Gauss Guzzler]

In 2018 the "Performance" model was just a software change and gave you the option to also purchase the $5000 "Performance Upgrade Package" (a.k.a. PUP) which included wheels, brakes, and spoiler.

Since 2019 all "Performance" models have PUP included, but in 2019 they offered a $2000 software upgrade for LR AWD models and this is likely what you have.

Either way it's a true (Stealth) Performance model with track mode and the red underline, just without the brakes and stuff. There is also an "Acceleration Boost" software package for some LR AWD models but that has less power and no track mode or underline.

 

[Ecoli]

So, a month ago I purchased a 2019 Model 3 Performance which I am very pleased with. Love driving it and the acceleration, when put into angry mode, is quite a thrill. However while reading more about the car I read that optional an optional performance package was made standard in late 2018. My vehicle has a 07/2019 production date but it doesn't appear to have any of these standard (previously optional) parts:

• 20" wheels
• 20" tires
• Spoiler
• Upgraded brakes (not sure about this)

I'm fine with not having the first three but would have preferred the upgraded brakes (assuming I don't have them). Can anyone explain why a standard components for the performance model don't appear to be included on my M3P?

If I remember correctly M3P stealth Performance Upgrade Package consisted of
20" wheels
Spoiler (carbon fibre)
Upgraded brakes (larger red calipers)
Different wheel hubs, can't fit Tesla 18" wheels to M3P+
Track mode
Aluminum pedals

 

[Candleflame]

you have a stealth performance. A relatively rare config. I have one in Australia and I have never seen another one here.

 

[NickFie]

There were four “flavors/flavours” of Model 3 dual-motor/Long Range.

1. Base
2. $2,000 upgrade after delivery. If the vehicle had been manufactured with performance motors, the owner could purchase an over the air upgrade with improved acceleration. Not quite as strong as Performance, but sufficient to embarrass most ICE vehicles. No red “Performance” underline for the “Dual Motor” badge on the back and MCU. No Track Mode software
3. Performance. This is the stealth version. The car could be ordered and delivered with full Performance acceleration, Track Mode software to tune handling and improved top speed. Red underline for Dual Motor badge was the only visible indication. Tesla had some field conversions during Delivery where the Performance software was either downloaded to or removed from a vehicle during Delivery to match the customer’s order.
4. Performance Upgrade Package. #3 above with lower suspension, larger red brakes, 20” wheels, summer tires, carbon fiber spoiler and racing accelerator and brake pedals.

We ordered and received my wife’s stealth Performance 3Q 2018 during production ramp-up. Trunk badges were in short supply so hers was delivered as a full stealth vehicle. The only Performance indicators are the red underline for Dual Motor in the MCU, access to Track Mode settings and 3.1 second zero-to-60 mph acceleration.

When the badges were available, I asked for one-for later use if we sell the car-during a Service Center visit. They returned the car with a Dual Motor badge on the passenger seat. I had to escort the service writer to the car and show the red underline in settings menu before I could get the proper badge.

 

[Sunny5280]

Thank you everyone for your input. How did one obtain this stealth performance model? According to what I read the 2019 model year should have included, as standard, the PUP GG mentioned. For 2019 was there the option to order the performance model without the PUP?

I do not believe it is an LR with the software upgrade as it has the red line underneath the "Dual Motor" description in both the car and application as well as track mode. I was told both of these are only available in the performance model.

I am fine without all the changes the PUP makes. In fact what I have is likely to work better for me for my intended use (I have no intentions of tracking or otherwise racing the car). I was just curious why my car lacks the PUP changes when they were a standard offering. I thought perhaps it was a build date versus policy change but it's my understanding the policy change came at the end of 2018 and my build date is 09/2019.

 

[Sunny5280]

Thanks Nick. It appears I have the third model in your list. However I am still puzzled as to why a 2019 model did not have the PUP since it was made standard at the end of 2018.

Mine also lacks any badging on the rear of the car. No Dual Motor and corresponding red underline. Only way to tell is as you described.

Question: Aside from the PUP changes are the LR and performance the same except for the software?

 

[Ecoli]

You could use the way back machine
to look back on Tesla M3 order page
You might be able to see M3P different options
When PUP changed from an option to
being Included

You should be able to check the date of manufacture from the VIN
and the sticker inside the door

 

[Sunny5280]

You could use the way back machine
to look back on Tesla M3 order page
You might be able to see M3P different options
When PUP changed from an option to
being Included

You should be able to check the date of manufacture from the VIN
and the sticker inside the door

I don't think it's worth that much effort, it was more a curiosity than anything critical. My build date is 07/19 taken from the door jamb plate.

 

[Gauss Guzzler]

As I mentioned, there have been 2 different software upgrades offered for the LR AWD model over the years. One is "Acceleration Boost" and the other is "Performance". You got the latter, a LR model with Performance software, not the Performance model without PUP - but there's no difference between these variants other than the semantics of the ordering process.

 

[Sklith]

In July 2019, I saw a post on Reddit about the $50k stealth Model 3 Performance, and it said that you couldn't order it from the website but through a sales rep instead. I called them up, bought my Stealth, and sold my mid-range to Carvana since Tesla low-balled me bad on the trade-in offer.

Sometime later, Tesla stopped selling these bargain Performance Model 3s, and put the 18" option on their website but at no discount so very few people ordered it, and it's no longer available as of now.

 

[Black306]

Thanks Nick. It appears I have the third model in your list. However I am still puzzled as to why a 2019 model did not have the PUP since it was made standard at the end of 2018.

Mine also lacks any badging on the rear of the car. No Dual Motor and corresponding red underline. Only way to tell is as you described.

Question: Aside from the PUP changes are the LR and performance the same except for the software?

The PUP option came in and out of availability; it wasn’t always standard after the end of 2018. Someone else may know the dates, but in at least parts of 2019 it was an option. I ordered my car in 10/19 and PUP, at the time, was an option.

EDIT: As far as the badge missing, either it was never installed (I don’t this is common) or someone yanked it off (IMO, more likely). PUP or no PUP, all Performance models has a Dual Motor badge with a red underline.

 

[Sunny5280]

As I mentioned, there have been 2 different software upgrades offered for the LR AWD model over the years. One is "Acceleration Boost" and the other is "Performance". You got the latter, a LR model with Performance software, not the Performance model without PUP - but there's no difference between these variants other than the semantics of the ordering process.

Ah, I didn't realize there were two different software upgrades to the LR. I was aware of the AB upgrade (which I believe is $2K) but didn't know there was a performance upgrade available too. This also answers my question that the LR and performance, aside from the PUP upgrades, are the same with just a software difference.

 

[ChadS]

I see two possibilities: OP has a Stealth, or an earlier owner modified a Performance with the PUP.

As Sklith mentioned, even though the PUP was "standard" by 2019 and you couldn't order a Stealth online, you could order one through a sales rep. Also, some of their demo cars were Stealths that would get sold at the end of a quarter. You could see them every now on the inventory page, although they tended to disappear quickly.

However, OP's car might have come with PUP. Mine did in Nov 2018. I would have preferred a Stealth, but the option was no longer listed when I ordered online. However, at the time Tesla was out of spoilers and badges, so I didn't get those (at least not at first; they did put the spoiler on months later; and I asked them not to put the badge on). And the first thing I did to the car was sell the 20" wheels and buy 18"s. So while my car came with a PUP, at least at one point it matched the OP's description.

OP, what color are your brake calipers? (Of course a previous owner could have painted them, but let's start by assuming that didn't happen). The Stealth came with black calipers, the PUP came with red. Note that the upgraded brakes shouldn't matter for normal driving; the regular brakes are already stronger than the tires for infrequent emergency stops. The upgraded brakes are primarily for track driving, to keep them from overheating longer when in constant use.

 

[charlieaf92]

From what I read, the stealth option wasn't available to order through the website (at least in 2019). It was something that could be purchased from existing inventory. I believe I read somewhere that it was related to hitting a sales goal. A friend of mine purchased one (also a 2019). They're essentially performance models without the PUP (brakes, 20" wheels, suspension, wing, pedals). There's a good chance they're missing the red bar badging on the trunk as well - but you can reliably identify them using the info screen in the car (look for the red bar).

As others have mentioned, they're less common (I suspect because they weren't available to order and you had to snag one if you could find one). They're also faster than the standard M3P from a roll due to the lighter wheels. From a stop they're slightly slower because the standard tires aren't as grippy as the 4Ss that come standard on the 20" wheels.

 

[UncertainTimes]

IIRC there were even a small handful of 2020 stealth performances

 

[Rmchrger]

Ah, I didn't realize there were two different software upgrades to the LR. I was aware of the AB upgrade (which I believe is $2K) but didn't know there was a performance upgrade available too. This also answers my question that the LR and performance, aside from the PUP upgrades, are the same with just a software difference.

I was wondering the same thing myself. As far as I heard there was only
1. Performance
2. Performance without pup aka sleeper stealth
3. LR with acceleration boost
4. LR.

LR with Performance is just called and sold as the Performance model.
LR with acceleration boost is just that, a LR with AB, not a performance.
Not a pissin match, dont anybody get offended just a clarification but correct me if I'm wrong

 

[Rmchrger]

IIRC there were even a small handful of 2020 stealth performances

Agreed, I own one. 2020, Pre-ordered Nov 2019 delivered Dec 2019. And paid 1500 extra for the 19" wheels.
FYI, Some that were/are missing the rear performance badge was due to parts shortage and backordered. Along with the performance spoiler for the full performance guys.

 

[Rmchrger]

Funny I think we are all agreeing on the same thing and just wording it differently...

Wouldn't everyone agree that, if it does NOT have performance brakes but HAS track mode, it has to be a sleeper/stealth...to simplify it?