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Blog Tesla Model 3: One Year Review

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by Contributor, May 31, 2019.

  1. Contributor

    Contributor Member

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    This review covers our Model 3 starts from the time we reserved it through our first year of driving the car. The review describes several aspects of life with the Model 3 and addresses the basic question: has the Model 3 met my expectations? There have been many reviews on the Model 3, but each...
    READ FULL ARTICLE
     
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  2. King_M3D

    King_M3D Member

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    Well written and documented! I’ve noted over the past few weeks as most stocks including Tesla have fallen, that there has been a lot of concern over demand for Model 3. No one seems to mention that they have not yet started to advertise! Every single person who has ridden in my Model 3, has expressed a desire to have one.
     
  3. MichaelP90DL

    MichaelP90DL Active Member

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    Great story, thank you! (And I’m happy to see you’re staying out of Las Vegas).
     
  4. nencio68

    nencio68 New Member

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    Great review! I have my M3P since only three months now, but I completely agree with all you wrote!
     
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush REJECT Fascism

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    Outstanding write-up.
    My experience mirrors yours to a Tee
     
  6. groovidad

    groovidad Living the Dream!

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    A very thoughtful review. I, too, have had great experiences since getiing the Model 3. This review reinforces what I have come to know.
     
  7. Peter Wuensche

    Peter Wuensche New Member

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    Fully agree with your review - my M3LR now has 4800 km (~3000 mi) in just 2 months mostly because it is so much fun to drive - it was worth every day of my 3 years wait! Only one minor thing: for the next OTA update I suggest a warning chime for windows left open accidentally
     
  8. john85775

    john85775 Member

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    One thing that was missed in this review is the ride being very bumpy.

    We did a three day / two night test drive and found the Model 3 to be super fun but very GoKart like -- perhaps the most bumpy ride either my wife and I had ever driven (owned 40+ cars between the two of us).

    I thought it was just me, then found this video:


    Surprised this was missing from the review.
     
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  9. snoltor

    snoltor New Member

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    Our car doesn't have a bumpy ride. At all. You may have test driven a 2017 model maybe? Tesla switched coils around the end of 2017 precisely because of that complaint. The new coils don't have a rough ride, at least not our car. I've also driven in a similar number of cars, trucks, motorcycles over many years and our 2018 model has a normal smooth ride.
     
  10. ngogas

    ngogas Active Member

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    Nice review.

    Mine is smooth. Love how it handles. You might want to have your car checked. See if there is something wrong.
     
  11. Nguyenning

    Nguyenning Member

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    I think Elon said to reduce tire pressure to 40-41 PSI for a smoother ride.
     
  12. john85775

    john85775 Member

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    Did you watch the video? It’s objectively bumpy. Or at least some are??

    The car I test drove for three days was a 2019. Even went back to try one with the Aeros and it made no difference.
     
  13. john85775

    john85775 Member

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    No, it isn't just me. Plenty of threads like these:
    Model 3's Ride Quality
    Model 3 stiff ride
    Model 3 ride quality | Tesla
    Free softer spring replacement? | Tesla
    Tesla Model 3 vs Nissan Leaf - Smooth Ride Test : teslamotors

    Consumer Reports of a 2019 -- first negative listed is "overly stiff ride" in the Model 3 "struggles to absorb bumps with any grace":
    2019 Tesla Model 3 Reviews, Ratings, Prices - Consumer Reports

    Really wanted to like this car.
     
  14. UTMB

    UTMB Member

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    Before you make up your mind, you should really do a three-day, two-night test drive of BMW, Benz, Audi electrics, and maybe the leaf, too. But if the ride is too stiff, then I, personally, would return the demo car on the first day. But that’s just me.
     
  15. UTMB

    UTMB Member

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    I’m going to make a confession: I did an overnight test drive of the Model S and felt so fatigued that the next day when I returned it, I didn’t miss it. And I guess that I kind of knew that I didn’t want to buy one. I think that maybe I just drove it too long that night. I mean, I drove the heck out of it. I drove it for probably four hours, with a brief break at a supercharger. It was quiet, smooth and quick, but I noticed this infrasonic rumbling or thumping. It seemed so pronounced that I did an internet search to see if others had noticed the same thing. Nothing. And the Model S is too big.

    Eight months later I’m enjoying my Model 3 in every way. I think that I like being close to the road. The ride is similar to what I have with my BMW 135i, only tighter handling. Consumer Reports was right, you hear imperfections in the road, but it’s just part of driving as far as I’m concerned. I don't feel the imperfections, though.
     
  16. john85775

    john85775 Member

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    The Model 3 was bumpy from the jump. Really wanted a two Tesla garage so I extended the test drive in the hopes that my initial impression was off. Wife and two friends said the same exact thing without me saying a word.
     
  17. john85775

    john85775 Member

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    We have a 2018 MX100D - thankfully no infrasonic rumbling.

    The Model 3 rode so stiff, resting my head against the headrest made it jostle around like a bobblehead (it’s really the car transmitting every imperfection but you get my drift). One can’t relax in this car if you drive on even mildly harsh roads.

    Incidentally, when I turned the keys back to my order advisor, he admitted there was a fairly high rate of test drives that came to the same conclusion. He tried to steer us to a Model S.

    If tesla has any hope to continue demand for this vehicle, they will have to soften the suspension. At this stage, it is the “tallest midget” in the luxury sports sedan segment… But that will only take them so far.

    Will be interesting to see how the Model Y is tuned.
     
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  18. UTMB

    UTMB Member

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    Sounds like something is wrong. My Model 3 LR AWD is not remotely that rough. It’s not even rough. I even test drove a P3D and neither my family nor I noted a harsh ride.

    Does your Model X have a sunroof? I wondered if that had some bearing on the rumbling in the Model S; could there be some kind of piston action? Or maybe I’m just sensitive to those kinds of noise.
     
  19. john85775

    john85775 Member

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    Did you watch the short video comparing the model 3 ride versus the Nissan Leaf? They ride the exact same stretch of road <30 mph. After I did my test drive, I watched this video and said “a ha. That is precisely what I experienced.“ Then I did a search on the forums and landed on consumer reports website, where they said the exact same thing.

    The model X does not have a sunroof per se. It has a sealed panoramic windshield, and twin fixed pane glass for the middle row.
     
  20. snoltor

    snoltor New Member

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    Hi John, I believe you, that you found it too rough, and you could be right that there could be variability across models, maybe parts suppliers.

    However, I speak from one year of driving our car. It is not rough or bumpy. My wife and kids ride along with me nearly every day and on all long trips, we like it. I personally find it relaxing and a pleasure to drive. I've got the 18" wheels and keep the tires at 42-44PSI. I drive on city streets and interstate highways that vary from poorly maintained to newly paved.

    But I guess on this score beauty is in the seat of the beholder. If the ride is not to your tastes but you otherwise like the car there may be suspension options that could deliver a ride you like.

    If you're in my area drop me a note, I'd be happy to let you take mine for a spin so you can test another 3.

    Best, Steve
     
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