Tesla Model 3 in Australia

[rohan_aus]

Spoke to Tesla this morning, confirmed existing owners will still get priority and that configurator is opening "imminently", but no specifics.

 

[matsoutback]

But I want it now...
Do you mean yesterday morning?

 

[houdini]

I don’t think that’s a render, it is the official image of a RHD Model 3 released by Tesla. But, apart from the one in the wild seen in California, I am not aware of any other photos of a RHD Model 3.

It’s a render for sure.

 

[stphw]

Any thoughts on the 2 wheel options. I'm planning a red car and like the grey colour of the 19 inch wheels though I think the quieter and more efficient 18 inch will win out. Maybe I can paint them grey. Not sure I like the Tsportline 18 inch.

 

[matsoutback]

I’m in the same boat, I much prefer the look of the 19 sport wheels, but I am going to be chasing efficiency / range for bigger trips. So in this case for me, practicality will most likely trump aesthetics. Plus, the 18’s will be less prone to kerb rash.

 

[Vostok]

I’m in the same boat, I much prefer the look of the 19 sport wheels, but I am going to be chasing efficiency / range for bigger trips. So in this case for me, practicality will most likely trump aesthetics. Plus, the 18’s will be less prone to kerb rash.

And give a more comfortable ride. I really don’t get the fascination with low profile tyres.

 

[technerdx6000]

And give a more comfortable ride. I really don’t get the fascination with low profile tyres.

I'm the same. 18s are cheaper, more range and a better ride. I don't even think the 19s are better aesthetically...

 

[miimura]

I’m in the same boat, I much prefer the look of the 19 sport wheels, but I am going to be chasing efficiency / range for bigger trips. So in this case for me, practicality will most likely trump aesthetics. Plus, the 18’s will be less prone to kerb rash.

The 18's are not less prone to curb rash. The actual metal rim of the wheel is flush with the aero cover which sits flush within the wheel. The tire's aerodynamic profile does not protect the wheel at all. You just have to learn to leave some gap at the curb and not "park by braille".

 

[matsoutback]

The 18's are not less prone to curb rash. The actual metal rim of the wheel is flush with the aero cover which sits flush within the wheel. The tire's aerodynamic profile does not protect the wheel at all. You just have to learn to leave some gap at the curb and not "park by braille".

Thanks for your concerns of my driving ability, although I’m not worried about my capacity to avoid damaging a wheel, it’s someone who would be using the car too.. I’ll pass on your "suggestion ", she loves getting driving hints... not.. lol.

The tire profile is taller, so there may be instances it may save the wheel over a lower profile, taller rim. Thanks for alerting me to the rim / cover profile.

Would it be better to leave the covers off for town driving and only put them on for highway type trips?

Has anyone had problems using auto park where the car has damaged a rim?

 

[miimura]

Thanks for your concerns of my driving ability, although I’m not worried about my capacity to avoid damaging a wheel, it’s someone who would be using the car too.. I’ll pass on your "suggestion ", she loves getting driving hints... not.. lol.

The tire profile is taller, so there may be instances it may save the wheel over a lower profile, taller rim. Thanks for alerting me to the rim / cover profile.

Would it be better to leave the covers off for town driving and only put them on for highway type trips?

Has anyone had problems using auto park where the car has damaged a rim?

My wife is the primary driver of our Model 3 and she has managed to lightly scrape the rear passenger side wheel before and after the front to back tire rotation. So, now both of the passenger side wheels have small scrapes. In our area, the curbs are much taller than the tire sidewall, regardless of Tesla wheel size. Even the 18's are 45 series profile.

Most people who don't like the appearance of the aero covers take them off for city driving and purchase the center cap and lug cover kit. Some people put the aero covers back on for long trips, others don't bother. We just embrace the look of the aero covers and it has actually grown on me.

 

[aegidius]

Pretty sure there are places that will polish the scratches out - I have a tiny bit (owning up) but haven't got round to looking into it yet.

 

[raynewman]

Pretty sure there are places that will polish the scratches out - I have a tiny bit (owning up) but haven't got round to looking into it yet.

[email protected] - I use them regularly in Brisbane.

 

[miimura]

It is such a common problem that people who do rim repair started routinely carrying the special dark gray color in their kit to match the 18" aero wheels.

 

[technerdx6000]

I am so tired of waiting. I wish they would open orders now. At the very least give us an update.

 

[ittah]

We’ve waited this long, a few more weeks, won’t make a difference in the long term, and besides the more RHDs ordered by UK allow them more time to iron out production bugs.

 

[Renewablekid]

I genuinely believe they’re waiting for the dollar to be a bit less volatile, order pages opening doesn’t change delivery times... unless they just want to be able to estimate delivery properly?

 

[Vostok]

BTL on Electrek a poster said “Tesla UK page changed estimated M3 RHD delivery from June to July, for all M3 models.”

So that either means more UK orders than expected, or Tesla are pumping the line for US deliveries in May/June before the Federal tax credit halves to $1750 on 1 July. Given the report that Musk claimed Q2 will see record deliveries, I’m going for the latter.

 

[Didaho]

BTL on Electrek a poster said “Tesla UK page changed estimated M3 RHD delivery from June to July, for all M3 models.”

So that either means more UK orders than expected, or Tesla are pumping the line for US deliveries in May/June before the Federal tax credit halves to $1750 on 1 July. Given the report that Musk claimed Q2 will see record deliveries, I’m going for the latter.

I don't think that it means anything in particular - they aren't just selling a single tranche, the ETD is always going to change. It would be nice to see some more confirmed RHD VINs though.

 

[technerdx6000]

I genuinely believe they’re waiting for the dollar to be a bit less volatile,

I hope not because if this is the case, we will be waiting a very long time. Trade wars and fluctuating mineral prices will keep the dollar volatile and low for months or even years to come.

 

[rowdy]

Given the report that Musk claimed Q2 will see record deliveries, I’m going for the latter.

Yep. Tesla want record Q2 numbers so all cars manufactured need to be delivered by the end of June. Australia is going to miss out and have to wait for production next quarter. July I reckon (delivery in August).

With rate cuts incoming it's a real shame as the AUD has further to fall. We also get much closer to the rumoured interior refresh for the S (september apparently). Going to give it some thought before pulling the trigger. Might be better off just waiting a few more months