I have had my M3p just over 6 weeks and like most cars I have had I join a marque specific forum to engage with other owners and enthusiasts of the brand, useful for tips and tricks and foibles of the car, typically forum members are passionate about their purchase and very loyal to the brand and the benefits of owning such a car.
This Tesla UK and Ireland forum is confusing because so many of the posts I read are rather negative about all aspects of the M3, everything from updates, wipers, FSD, AP in general, Elon Musk's comments, even people for just using the Christian name "Elon" in their mail are criticised, Is there so little to like about the car or the company?
I will go on record - I have fancied a Tesla for quite some time, indeed prior to the model 3 I was seriously looking at an S but price was something I wasn't prepared to pay but I followed the development of Tesla and its CEO as he is a charismatic character and seems he has the Midas touch.
I accept a baby car company - what 10-12 years of experience wont be producing German quality engineering (who have had well over 100yrs of experience) So panel gaps may not be consistent, Over the air updates may not always fix everything - but since when did any of the other marques have teams behind them in their garages or main dealers that cared about fixing cars first time - my experience of many main dealers is they are slipshod and trade on a reputation they don't deserve.
I've had 4 Porsche and never been happy with the OPCs - Indeed people like "Revolution" (Porsche indy specialists) provide a much better degree of care, knowledge, experience and most importantly Customer service and enthusiasm.
Jaguar - absolute pits for main dealers and Ford couldn't give a stuff about Customers - they are an interference with their day.
Tesla - its a developing business, limited service centres and even less approved body repair centres - but I knew this prior to purchase, I also knew or accepted Tesla owners don't absolutely own their vehicles as Tesla has the ability to interact with the car or prevent supercharging if they deem it appropriate to do so - so I went into this with my eyes open.
No car is perfect, No car delivers everything you want of it so there is plenty of choice out there for everyone's needs and pockets. Jumping on the BEV bandwagon in its early years means you will experience different characteristics, different problems and issues whilst the technology is refined. Tesla hasn't taken an existing car platform and simply stuck a battery and motor in it (except the first roadster)- its been developed from the ground up - and they like everyone else will get things wrong. Take any product you like and compare its version 1 with its current offering - like chalk and cheese.
Some of the criticisms I read are so minor I wonder why they have even been raised, like the charging flap closing before the owner has had the chance to get the lead out and plug the car in - and of course pressing the nearside rear door handle or getting the phone out is far to arduous to even contemplate.
If I was another car manufacturer entering into producing EVs I wouldn't use slogans about being a potential Tesla beater I would simply post a link to Tesla UK and Ireland and let the negative comments do the rest to dissuade people away from the marque.
I accept there are a lot of informative posts but once negativity is introduced in a comment its like an open invitation to slag the cars functions off.
I don't think the Tesla M3 looks like a frog, I like its lines, I like the interior, I like the functions and toys - even toys that don't work perfectly are still better than having no toys, I like the no VED and No annual servicing bill, I like the super cheap running costs and that's why I bought the car. I'm pretty sure some aspects will annoy me at some point but there is a big difference between constructive criticism and criticism for criticism's sake.
I'm no "Fanboi" either - Just because something is Tesla doesn't mean i think its smashing super great, just a mature fellow (read quite old) that is enjoying a new experience In a ground breaking car and proud to be driving one.
This Tesla UK and Ireland forum is confusing because so many of the posts I read are rather negative about all aspects of the M3, everything from updates, wipers, FSD, AP in general, Elon Musk's comments, even people for just using the Christian name "Elon" in their mail are criticised, Is there so little to like about the car or the company?
I will go on record - I have fancied a Tesla for quite some time, indeed prior to the model 3 I was seriously looking at an S but price was something I wasn't prepared to pay but I followed the development of Tesla and its CEO as he is a charismatic character and seems he has the Midas touch.
I accept a baby car company - what 10-12 years of experience wont be producing German quality engineering (who have had well over 100yrs of experience) So panel gaps may not be consistent, Over the air updates may not always fix everything - but since when did any of the other marques have teams behind them in their garages or main dealers that cared about fixing cars first time - my experience of many main dealers is they are slipshod and trade on a reputation they don't deserve.
I've had 4 Porsche and never been happy with the OPCs - Indeed people like "Revolution" (Porsche indy specialists) provide a much better degree of care, knowledge, experience and most importantly Customer service and enthusiasm.
Jaguar - absolute pits for main dealers and Ford couldn't give a stuff about Customers - they are an interference with their day.
Tesla - its a developing business, limited service centres and even less approved body repair centres - but I knew this prior to purchase, I also knew or accepted Tesla owners don't absolutely own their vehicles as Tesla has the ability to interact with the car or prevent supercharging if they deem it appropriate to do so - so I went into this with my eyes open.
No car is perfect, No car delivers everything you want of it so there is plenty of choice out there for everyone's needs and pockets. Jumping on the BEV bandwagon in its early years means you will experience different characteristics, different problems and issues whilst the technology is refined. Tesla hasn't taken an existing car platform and simply stuck a battery and motor in it (except the first roadster)- its been developed from the ground up - and they like everyone else will get things wrong. Take any product you like and compare its version 1 with its current offering - like chalk and cheese.
Some of the criticisms I read are so minor I wonder why they have even been raised, like the charging flap closing before the owner has had the chance to get the lead out and plug the car in - and of course pressing the nearside rear door handle or getting the phone out is far to arduous to even contemplate.
If I was another car manufacturer entering into producing EVs I wouldn't use slogans about being a potential Tesla beater I would simply post a link to Tesla UK and Ireland and let the negative comments do the rest to dissuade people away from the marque.
I accept there are a lot of informative posts but once negativity is introduced in a comment its like an open invitation to slag the cars functions off.
I don't think the Tesla M3 looks like a frog, I like its lines, I like the interior, I like the functions and toys - even toys that don't work perfectly are still better than having no toys, I like the no VED and No annual servicing bill, I like the super cheap running costs and that's why I bought the car. I'm pretty sure some aspects will annoy me at some point but there is a big difference between constructive criticism and criticism for criticism's sake.
I'm no "Fanboi" either - Just because something is Tesla doesn't mean i think its smashing super great, just a mature fellow (read quite old) that is enjoying a new experience In a ground breaking car and proud to be driving one.