So there's no question... from the drivers seat, I adore my new M3. It could use softer springs, adjustable speed/volume control, and a total redesign of the audio UI. But 2 of the 3 can (and probably will) be fixed in software updates. In other words, I'm not a hater. And based on everything I read before I ordered, I set very low expectations regarding panel gaps and door alignment. I did that purposely so if there were a few minor issues, I'd still be pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, my particular car met my expectations.
This video is from 2 years ago. At
1:12 Elon talks about the Dimensional Engineering Lab and how
"the goal for the M3 is it to have 10x the precision of any other car". He also says
"We're putting an intense effort to make sure the gaps and flushness of the car are incredibly precise..... until you can't tell even with a precise instrument the difference between one car and the next"
If they DID work out those issues over the past 2 years, then the cars are not being assembled (consistently) as designed. And I also question whether there's a feedback loop for assembly issues. Example: I took delivery at the Fremont Delivery Center. The Factory is a mile down the street. And there's a Sales Center
AT the factory.
If a car arrives at the delivery center with a driver's door misaligned, it should be reported
quickly to the factory where they can
quickly determine who installed it incorrectly or what inspector missed it, and
quickly rectify the issue. Same with the showroom. I visited the Fremont Sales Center a week before I took delivery and the red SR+ on the floor had a poorly fitted tail light and the passenger rear door was misaligned. And to be clear, they were obvious. That car should have been fixed before it got to the sales floor. First impressions.
I just watched Ryan Shaw's Model Y delivery video on YouTube and he had a poorly fitted tail light and misaligned doors. Again, they weren't subtle... before he even mentioned them, you could see the door trim didn't line up at all. End of quarter rushed assembly? Incompetent, disgruntled, or over-worked employees on the assembly line? Intentional low assembly quality standards assuming cars will be fixed post-delivery? Who knows?
I just cancelled my Model Y order and gave the feedback that I won't order until cars delivered to customers are assembled correctly.