Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
Alex. Your car looks spectacular, but your landscaping is in bad need of attention 
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The fit and finish on these cars is GARBAGE!
- Thread starter WellerZ06
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Since I contributed some comments about the problems I experienced (including a delivery rejection), I thought I should also complete the story. TL;DR I now own one!
My delivery rejection was because of really quite shocking issues (see earlier in thread but basically it was driver's door that didn't close properly, rear seat shelf that wasn't installed properly so wiring was shown, scratched chrome, a paint drip, and a series of minor but they-all-add-up issues). In less than a week they had another one which looked ok on a quick inspection I did, but had some paint chips around the front, so it went to the service center before I tried a real delivery again.
The second delivery was so much better. The work to fix up the chips at the front wasn't hugely different from what I could tell - maybe even nothing was done - but that was still really minor stuff like the super tiny chips you get from gravel if unlucky and only the odd few on the good. There was a bit on the front fender that was much improved, and after that I really couldn't find any significant issue (it wasn't BMW good but it was 98% there) so I handed over the money and took delivery!
Since then I've seen a few little things: one of the front wheel panels isn't perfectly aligned with the hood, one of the rear quarter chrome strips is slightly misaligned (sticks out), inside one of the door sills the paint is rough textured, and a few places around the small lights/reflectors low down at the back have varying paint thickness. I don't think any of this is really going to matter to me. It might sound strange but really the overall style of the vehicle is not that luxurious and that somehow makes the not-quite-perfect ok. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but it's how it feels to me.
So anyway, based on my anecdotal experience of two cars, the fit and finish can be crap, or it can be not-quite-as-good as the best, but pretty close. I suggest just reject if you get one that's not good
My delivery rejection was because of really quite shocking issues (see earlier in thread but basically it was driver's door that didn't close properly, rear seat shelf that wasn't installed properly so wiring was shown, scratched chrome, a paint drip, and a series of minor but they-all-add-up issues). In less than a week they had another one which looked ok on a quick inspection I did, but had some paint chips around the front, so it went to the service center before I tried a real delivery again.
The second delivery was so much better. The work to fix up the chips at the front wasn't hugely different from what I could tell - maybe even nothing was done - but that was still really minor stuff like the super tiny chips you get from gravel if unlucky and only the odd few on the good. There was a bit on the front fender that was much improved, and after that I really couldn't find any significant issue (it wasn't BMW good but it was 98% there) so I handed over the money and took delivery!
Since then I've seen a few little things: one of the front wheel panels isn't perfectly aligned with the hood, one of the rear quarter chrome strips is slightly misaligned (sticks out), inside one of the door sills the paint is rough textured, and a few places around the small lights/reflectors low down at the back have varying paint thickness. I don't think any of this is really going to matter to me. It might sound strange but really the overall style of the vehicle is not that luxurious and that somehow makes the not-quite-perfect ok. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but it's how it feels to me.
So anyway, based on my anecdotal experience of two cars, the fit and finish can be crap, or it can be not-quite-as-good as the best, but pretty close. I suggest just reject if you get one that's not good
After the 4th car (3 rejected deliveries), I finally took delivery of my MSM/black Performance today. The panel gaps were all pretty much perfect minus the rear driver door which is off by about 3/32". There was one small rock chip in front of the rear passenger wheel which definitely happened post production. I did find one ding hidden on the ridge near the taillight... that will be going in to have pointless dent repair completed but other than that, I finally found an acceptable car. Still a shame after 4 cars I find faults but damn, the car is fast. Scared the $hidt out of the wife.
Tesla (the company) isn't stupid. You'd think they'd realize by now that the first new cars off the assembly line will be scrutinized a lot. So spend the extra time with the first 1,000 cars while the YouTube fanboys are getting their cars and it would go a long way to improving their image. Even if they let the build quality slip on all other models besides the Y, it would be well worth their time in terms of brand image. Not that they have room to let quality slip LOL oooops sorry, not sorry.
Wholeheartedly disagree. Been over this Buick a dozen times - not one panel out of place, misaligned, hangs or issues. Was picture-perfect from day 1. Same with the Cadillac I traded for the XT5.
You may want to break your no spending streak and at least get new wipers.
Again. I feel that people rejecting the chance to drive a fantastic Tesla due to small paint imperfections is like rejecting sex with Taylor swift because she has an accent
Constant focus on an imperfection can ruin the whole experience.
they can always just. “Shake it off”
My current Chevys all have better fit and finish than my Model S. So did other Chevys, Buicks and Mercurys that I’ve owned.
jmatero
Member
I don’t know the last time you looked at a new GM, but I have to disagree. We purchased a Chevy Bolt and Volt (first production year for the Bolt and early build) and both were fantastic. All body panels/doors were aligned and panel gaps were consistent. My brand new Model 3 looks like it was assembled by this guy:
Needsdecaf
Active Member
I'm on my second Model 3 now, the first having been totaled by an unfortunate run in with some rather large road debris.
My first Model 3 was a November 2018 build, and was delivered with about 6-8 dust nibs, a few more-than-surface scratches, and two areas of some pretty heavy orange peel, particularly the passenger rear quarter. In addition, the frunk was sunken in.
My new car is a March 2020 build. Only two dust nibs that I saw (which is still two more than any new car I've ever had delivered). Lower front fascia was heavily scratched in 3-4 places. I had my PPF installer buff that out while installing the front end PPF. Less orange peel, only one spot this time. One scratch on the chrome trim. Frunk was properly aligned. However, the rear door handles are sunken in more than the fronts. Oh, and the roof panel (the middle, not the back window one) was chipped on the edge. There was a 3 inch chip that someone thought it was ok to simply cover up with marker / mastic / whatever and keep installed. Oh, and a nasty rattle in the passenger door.
So yeah, still some ways to go.
My first Model 3 was a November 2018 build, and was delivered with about 6-8 dust nibs, a few more-than-surface scratches, and two areas of some pretty heavy orange peel, particularly the passenger rear quarter. In addition, the frunk was sunken in.
My new car is a March 2020 build. Only two dust nibs that I saw (which is still two more than any new car I've ever had delivered). Lower front fascia was heavily scratched in 3-4 places. I had my PPF installer buff that out while installing the front end PPF. Less orange peel, only one spot this time. One scratch on the chrome trim. Frunk was properly aligned. However, the rear door handles are sunken in more than the fronts. Oh, and the roof panel (the middle, not the back window one) was chipped on the edge. There was a 3 inch chip that someone thought it was ok to simply cover up with marker / mastic / whatever and keep installed. Oh, and a nasty rattle in the passenger door.
So yeah, still some ways to go.
Needsdecaf
Active Member
Not that. Something in the panel or armrest. It goes away if I push outward on the armrest.
jmatero
Member
Wind noise for me.
Also the rockers had damage, paint missing, and surface rust already.
Bumper doesn't perfectly align to the car.
I'm a pretty big car guy and have had a slew of cheap to mid level cars. Friends with expensive and cheap, everything in between. The model 3 fit and finish is worse than a $15,000 new toyota yaris.
Also the rockers had damage, paint missing, and surface rust already.
Bumper doesn't perfectly align to the car.
I'm a pretty big car guy and have had a slew of cheap to mid level cars. Friends with expensive and cheap, everything in between. The model 3 fit and finish is worse than a $15,000 new toyota yaris.
jelloslug
Active Member
My last new BMW (that was built in Europe BTW) had numerous paint and fit and finish flaws when I picked it up. 99% of the people that are finding these flaws did not even know what "panel gap" was until the entire internet started talking about Tesla.
So are you saying that:
A) People are being too picky with their Teslas.
B) Panel gaps weren’t/aren’t a big issue with other brands? (Yes it can happen, but is exceedingly rare)
jelloslug
Active Member
I am saying that people are suddenly becoming picky about things they have never noticed before and other brands are not under the scrutiny that Tesla is. I have had paint flaws and panel misalignment in every single car that I have owned, regardless of manufacture or country of origin.
Chopr147
Active Member
I agree. Tesla has way too many problems with fit and finish. I just accepted it on my S as part of doing business with Tesla. I have had several new cars over time. GMC, Chevy, Lexus and Jeep. NEVER had a fit/finish issue
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