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I don't think anyone is opposed to the SR model... it's just not available right now.
I’m in the same boat as you and if I don’t get the M3 I would be the new accord too. For the money it’s such a great car. Decisions decisions....Excellent observations and feedback lapolak!
I'm on the fence for exactly the same reasons as you. If I could splurge $60k, I would have configured mine already.
I can't get over the fact that for example, I can pick up a brand new 2018 Accord for about $40K CAD and it has the majority of safety features for driver assistance and safety and does not feel like a budget/econobox anymore and also supports Android Auto and Apple Car play (yes, its not a luxury BMW, Audi, Benz or Lexus, however Honda have vastly improved the materials and general feel of the car to the point that it feels so much more high end - almost luxury, than all the previous generations). The icing on the cake is that its fuel economy is pretty insane for such a big car - its definitely bigger than the M3 (I've sat in both).
At the same time, I really wanted to get the M3, but I may be forced to wait for the low range model to justify the CAD$45K + price.
The instant torque, all-glass roof, almost no maintenance is kinda hard to ignore, but as someone else pointed out, you can pick up a 2015 S-Class or CLS550 for the same coin and those cars are light years ahead in terms of luxury, fit and finish.
I think the wind noises that some have reported are probably easy to fix. Road noise is another story though. When I did my test drive I noticed that environmental noises were much louder in the car than my regular vehicle, and pavement noises were very audible as well (there was a stretch of freeway with grooves in the pavement were the whole car started humming).Whether or not the overall noise level (fine but not great) or the back seat comfort (the bottom cushion needs some thigh support) have been addressed will remain a mystery until I take delivery.
I'm a data point of one. My 3 was manufactured in February, and after reading this, I went to check the seals on my car. They all seem pretty solid.
I think quality is definitely improving, so I would put more stock into reviews of newer cars.
Excellent observations and feedback lapolak!
I'm on the fence for exactly the same reasons as you. If I could splurge $60k, I would have configured mine already.
I can't get over the fact that for example, I can pick up a brand new 2018 Accord for about $40K CAD and it has the majority of safety features for driver assistance and safety and does not feel like a budget/econobox anymore and also supports Android Auto and Apple Car play (yes, its not a luxury BMW, Audi, Benz or Lexus, however Honda have vastly improved the materials and general feel of the car to the point that it feels so much more high end - almost luxury, than all the previous generations). The icing on the cake is that its fuel economy is pretty insane for such a big car - its definitely bigger than the M3 (I've sat in both).
At the same time, I really wanted to get the M3, but I may be forced to wait for the low range model to justify the CAD$45K + price.
The instant torque, all-glass roof, almost no maintenance is kinda hard to ignore, but as someone else pointed out, you can pick up a 2015 S-Class or CLS550 for the same coin and those cars are light years ahead in terms of luxury, fit and finish.
Are you guys that adamantly opposed to the $9000 cheaper SR model? I’m waiting for the $46,000 vehicle which seems like the sweet spot to me. I drive about 500 miles a month and road trip 1-2 times a year. Honestly no need for the LR battery. Even with a 50+ mile daily commute, one can charge nightly so the 220 SR battery is still sufficient is it not? Obviously the LR batteries will have better resale but I hope to have this car for at least 10 years.
Excellent write up; it mirrors my experiences with a ~2300 VIN from December that I rented on Turo. As I’m only considering EVs I don’t have to wrestle with the CPO European choices.
For what it’s worth when I see more recent builds of the Model 3 a lot of the little sloppy bits on the car I rented have been addressed. I saw a ~12000 VIN on Saturday that had clearly just been delivered and there’s a ~10000 VIN in my office parking garage delivered about ten days ago and they’re both beautifully assembled. Perhaps on par with a 3-Series, or awfully close.
Whether or not the overall noise level (fine but not great) or the back seat comfort (the bottom cushion needs some thigh support) have been addressed will remain a mystery until I take delivery.
I think I rented the same one as you. Met them at the burbank supercharger.
I noticed the bad fitment of the rubber around the seals too. Also looked to me like the fake leather on the steering wheel had an ugly wrinkle in it on the right spoke.
It had alcantara too, which makes me thing it's an early build, and likely had the original firmer springs, but they didn't feel too harsh to me.
I think the wind noises that some have reported are probably easy to fix. Road noise is another story though. When I did my test drive I noticed that environmental noises were much louder in the car than my regular vehicle, and pavement noises were very audible as well (there was a stretch of freeway with grooves in the pavement were the whole car started humming).
Regarding the back seats, unfortunately I forgot to test them, but I think taller guys will not be very comfortable due to how low they are. Here is a screenshot from one of Bjorn Nyland's videos:
Regarding the back seats, unfortunately I forgot to test them, but I think taller guys will not be very comfortable due to how low they are. Here is a screenshot from one of Bjorn Nyland's videos:
This is a useful and interesting thread. Sadly I think people renting the Turo car to assess the M3 are most probably reviewing a car that is now 'out of date' so I'm not sure it helps them (or Tesla).. It needs to be clear whether any driven older car has the revised suspension or not.....
We need a more detailed review from someone who has a new car (late March/early April) which is comparative - all opinions in isolation are so subjective.
Can the road noise can addressed easily - sound damping/tyres/suspension tuning or is it more 'built-in' and requiring some more fundamental revisions?
Totally understand where you're coming from and agree with your observations. About the Model 3 you rented off Turo, were the wheels 18" or 19" and was it a pre-12/27/17 build?I rented a M3 on Turo a few weeks ago and loved the car...for the first hour. Then after that, the road noise and wind noise was getting to me. This is well before I had heard anything about this issue. After taking it out a 3rd time in the evening, that ruined it for me, my ears started to bother me and I'm obviously very sensitive about that. I also found myself having to turn up the stereo much louder than I wanted to at 45mph+ which just made things worse.
But I loved driving the M3 so much, as did my wife, so I kept trying to forget about it - unfortunately I couldn't. In this case it wasn't just the level of road noise, it was the resonant frequencies that were bothersome to me - ymmv.
So a few days later my wife and I drove out to Fremont to test drive the new Model S. No question - not even close. Yes, the M3 is sportier and in some ways more fun to drive and zip about with, but the MS just won me over. As my wife said after our first test drive in the MS - I'm ruined for any other car. Bought the MS from inventory and drove home that day with our new Tesla - 12 days ago. After all was said and done I paid about $25k more for a new Model S than the current Model 3 with similar options. So not exactly a cheap alternative.
At the end of the day, for those that don't worry about this stuff as much as I did, I know you are going to love the M3. It's an awesome driving machine that is fun as hell to drive and a joy from so many different perspectives. I would without question reconsider buying a M3 when, and if, they were to come out with better noise dampening, and even more so when they have an air suspension option.
Totally understand where you're coming from and agree with your observations. About the Model 3 you rented off Turo, were the wheels 18" or 19" and was it a pre-12/27/17 build?
But I loved driving the M3 so much, as did my wife, so I kept trying to forget about it - unfortunately I couldn't. In this case it wasn't just the level of road noise, it was the resonant frequencies that were bothersome to me - ymmv.
Perhaps many of the quality problems have been addressed?
My Model 3 was VIN 9371, almost two weeks old, and it's flawless.
When I hear comments about highway noise, it's along the lines of "Wow, this car is so quiet!" Talking on the handsfree at 75 MPH sounds REALLY clear, both ways. You feel like you're in an office on a headset.
Driving a car with such a modern UI that is this quiet and sporty has spoiled me for other cars, I'm sure.