Hi All
Apologies for the epic post in advance.
Long time lurker and wanted to get the views of current owners. A little bit about my car history for the last decade for some context, BMW 320d, TVR Chimaera (always a second third car), Golf GTD, Porsche Cayman S, Maserati Ghibli S, Mercedes CLS 63 AMG and currently a Volvo V90 on a lease..sold the CLS to release some funds for a house purchase.
I run my own Ltd company and like many others the prospect of running an EV is very appealing as it’s currently very tax efficient. At the top of my list was the longest range and most convenient/fast charging network I could find. This led me to the Tesla Model 3 LR for a reasonable lease cost and the great charging infrastructure. I scoured the internet, read many many reviews, watched several YouTube videos and of course poured over the forums, including one.
I thought I ought to try and get a test drive before I decide to sign up to a lease. I’m glad I did as I’m really not so sure now.
I’d be interested to hear from current owners if their car was a ‘grower’ I.e. not initially grabbed/impressed but you gain an appreciation over time.
My observations and thoughts, and I’m happy to be challenged if perhaps I’m being unrealistic here.
The not so good:
1) The whole car just felt ‘flimsy’ is the best word I can use. I understand the doors are frameless (and I’ve had several cars work frameless doors) but they hardly feel, or sound, any better than my TVR! The boot clangs when shut and doesn’t seem to have any heft, possibly aluminium? The Cayman’s ‘bonnet’ was similar to be fair.
2) The interior just doesn’t seem on a par with anything vaguely premium. The materials seem thin, the covered storage lids are plasticky, what buttons there are don’t feel like they’ll last.
3) The fit and finish seems hap hazard both inside and outside. The a pillar coverings we’re just wonky, the top dash gaps were wildly different at each side.
4) The car seems to resonate somehow, like it feels hollow. Not too loud, but feels like a light
5) It shouted at me constantly like there was impending doom at any moment, the Volvo bus does this occasionally, but not to this extent. I’m assuming the alerts can be scaled back in the settings so this is probably user error.
6) More of a user error for this one, the regeneration. I guess you get used to this, and to be fair I started to improve at the end of the drive.
7) I’m used to both firm and marshmallow rides, see car history, but this seemed firm but without having the benefit of good body control. This was the M3P but on 18s, not sure if they are firmer? It reminded me of the early Audi S line suspension where it was very firm but didn’t ‘flow’ with the road.
The good:
1) The space seemed really good for a car of this size, especially width wise. Felt great in the front and the back.
2) The glass roof. Really liked this...so did my 10 year old
3) For the most part the Autopilot worked well. It did say ‘steer assist not available for the rest of this drive’ after a while though for some reason.
4) I couldn’t really get a true sense of the performance as they gave me an M3P service vehicle locked in chill mode. I know it will be fine though.
5) The handling, I don’t drive that quickly, despite my precious car history, but in general I do like a car to feel like it will change direction cleanly and without fuss, which it did.
6) The touchscreen. Took a little bit of getting used to, but it’s incredibly clear and responsive. I’m used to touch screen controls in the Volvo for most things, so it wasn’t a massive departure.
7) The external looks. I love how they look. They do look premium, from the door handles to the lighting to the glass roof. It’s only on closer inspection that perhaps the side is let down.
In summary I really wanted to love this. car, but ultimately came away underwhelmed.
Maybe it was a Friday afternoon car that has been abused to within an inch of its life as a service vehicle perhaps?
Perhaps I should readjust my expectations?
Could perceived flimsiness be in the pursuit of lower weight?
I know it’s not comparing apples with apples, but I got back in my fiancé’s Audi A5 coupe and it felt, looked (and sounded with the closing of the doors) and drove with a far more premium, refined and solid feeling. I think she’s going to book a test drive so she can tell me what an idiot I’m being
Any thoughts and observations from you lovely current owners welcome
James.
Apologies for the epic post in advance.
Long time lurker and wanted to get the views of current owners. A little bit about my car history for the last decade for some context, BMW 320d, TVR Chimaera (always a second third car), Golf GTD, Porsche Cayman S, Maserati Ghibli S, Mercedes CLS 63 AMG and currently a Volvo V90 on a lease..sold the CLS to release some funds for a house purchase.
I run my own Ltd company and like many others the prospect of running an EV is very appealing as it’s currently very tax efficient. At the top of my list was the longest range and most convenient/fast charging network I could find. This led me to the Tesla Model 3 LR for a reasonable lease cost and the great charging infrastructure. I scoured the internet, read many many reviews, watched several YouTube videos and of course poured over the forums, including one.
I thought I ought to try and get a test drive before I decide to sign up to a lease. I’m glad I did as I’m really not so sure now.
I’d be interested to hear from current owners if their car was a ‘grower’ I.e. not initially grabbed/impressed but you gain an appreciation over time.
My observations and thoughts, and I’m happy to be challenged if perhaps I’m being unrealistic here.
The not so good:
1) The whole car just felt ‘flimsy’ is the best word I can use. I understand the doors are frameless (and I’ve had several cars work frameless doors) but they hardly feel, or sound, any better than my TVR! The boot clangs when shut and doesn’t seem to have any heft, possibly aluminium? The Cayman’s ‘bonnet’ was similar to be fair.
2) The interior just doesn’t seem on a par with anything vaguely premium. The materials seem thin, the covered storage lids are plasticky, what buttons there are don’t feel like they’ll last.
3) The fit and finish seems hap hazard both inside and outside. The a pillar coverings we’re just wonky, the top dash gaps were wildly different at each side.
4) The car seems to resonate somehow, like it feels hollow. Not too loud, but feels like a light
5) It shouted at me constantly like there was impending doom at any moment, the Volvo bus does this occasionally, but not to this extent. I’m assuming the alerts can be scaled back in the settings so this is probably user error.
6) More of a user error for this one, the regeneration. I guess you get used to this, and to be fair I started to improve at the end of the drive.
7) I’m used to both firm and marshmallow rides, see car history, but this seemed firm but without having the benefit of good body control. This was the M3P but on 18s, not sure if they are firmer? It reminded me of the early Audi S line suspension where it was very firm but didn’t ‘flow’ with the road.
The good:
1) The space seemed really good for a car of this size, especially width wise. Felt great in the front and the back.
2) The glass roof. Really liked this...so did my 10 year old
3) For the most part the Autopilot worked well. It did say ‘steer assist not available for the rest of this drive’ after a while though for some reason.
4) I couldn’t really get a true sense of the performance as they gave me an M3P service vehicle locked in chill mode. I know it will be fine though.
5) The handling, I don’t drive that quickly, despite my precious car history, but in general I do like a car to feel like it will change direction cleanly and without fuss, which it did.
6) The touchscreen. Took a little bit of getting used to, but it’s incredibly clear and responsive. I’m used to touch screen controls in the Volvo for most things, so it wasn’t a massive departure.
7) The external looks. I love how they look. They do look premium, from the door handles to the lighting to the glass roof. It’s only on closer inspection that perhaps the side is let down.
In summary I really wanted to love this. car, but ultimately came away underwhelmed.
Maybe it was a Friday afternoon car that has been abused to within an inch of its life as a service vehicle perhaps?
Perhaps I should readjust my expectations?
Could perceived flimsiness be in the pursuit of lower weight?
I know it’s not comparing apples with apples, but I got back in my fiancé’s Audi A5 coupe and it felt, looked (and sounded with the closing of the doors) and drove with a far more premium, refined and solid feeling. I think she’s going to book a test drive so she can tell me what an idiot I’m being
Any thoughts and observations from you lovely current owners welcome
James.