My SR+ was delivered on March 16 in Melbourne. I was about to fit mudflaps and noticed that the black plastic trim on the near side of the car was completely missing (the driver's side trim piece is fine). Tesla Mobile Service is booked to replace it next Wednesday. Makes me a wee bit concerned about quality control.
-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
What was missing from your Model 3? (if anything...)
- Thread starter Vostok
- Start date
My SR+ was delivered on March 16 in Melbourne. I was about to fit mudflaps and noticed that the black plastic trim on the near side of the car was completely missing (the driver's side trim piece is fine). Tesla Mobile Service is booked to replace it next Wednesday. Makes me a wee bit concerned about quality control.
Update - Tesla Mobile Service arrived today as promised (in a customised Model S, with its rear seats replaced by tool racks and sliding drawers) and panel expertly replaced by Steven. Now all good.
360C
Member
I think you guys are probably being a bit harsh in your criticism of faults in your Model 3's. From what I've seen I think Tesla quality control is actually not that bad for what they are and the price they currently sell them for. Not perfect by any means; but really not that bad.
For perspective and amusement value, pictured is a Ferrari that I purchased new a few years back:
Pic 1) As delivered the paintwork was absolutely abysmal with abundant orange peel and surface scratches everywhere. The entire car had to be sanded back and repolished to get the paintwork to an acceptable level. Cost was about $4k from memory. When the subject was brought up with Ferrari I was met with an Italian shrug and "they're all like that". Whilst being true, it isn't acceptable for the price point. Needless to say they didn't pay for rectification.
Pic 2) Panel alignment
Pic 3) Panel alignment
Pic 4) Colour mismatch between aluminium 1/4 panel and plastic front bar
Pic 5) Unpainted or sparingly painted surfaces in wheel wells. Same situation in the engine bay FWIW.
Pic 6) Unpainted or sparingly painted surfaces in wheel well
And again for perspective, if you wanted floor mats in your $650k car that was another $1800 or so from memory. Parking sensors? $4500
Reversing Camera? $7500 and so it goes on.
And in case you're wondering, this is entirely normal at Ferrari and a few other high end manufacturers.
Hence I reckon Tesla quality control isn't all that bad relative to competitors in the same sector, let alone compared to some luxury manufacturers.
For perspective and amusement value, pictured is a Ferrari that I purchased new a few years back:
Pic 1) As delivered the paintwork was absolutely abysmal with abundant orange peel and surface scratches everywhere. The entire car had to be sanded back and repolished to get the paintwork to an acceptable level. Cost was about $4k from memory. When the subject was brought up with Ferrari I was met with an Italian shrug and "they're all like that". Whilst being true, it isn't acceptable for the price point. Needless to say they didn't pay for rectification.
Pic 2) Panel alignment
Pic 3) Panel alignment
Pic 4) Colour mismatch between aluminium 1/4 panel and plastic front bar
Pic 5) Unpainted or sparingly painted surfaces in wheel wells. Same situation in the engine bay FWIW.
Pic 6) Unpainted or sparingly painted surfaces in wheel well
And again for perspective, if you wanted floor mats in your $650k car that was another $1800 or so from memory. Parking sensors? $4500
Reversing Camera? $7500 and so it goes on.
And in case you're wondering, this is entirely normal at Ferrari and a few other high end manufacturers.
Hence I reckon Tesla quality control isn't all that bad relative to competitors in the same sector, let alone compared to some luxury manufacturers.
Attachments
Wow I'd have expected way more for something that costs more than my house does, makes the stitching issue (which I'm sure tesla will fix) on my steering wheel seem like a complete non-issue. I'm very happy with the panels and general fit and finish of my Model 3 P+. I do think that we seem to be more critical of Tesla as I can't remember doing any of the same scrutinising of panels and paint on any new car I've bought in the past.
360C
Member
Owners are very passionate and knowledgeable about their Tesla's and as a result do tend to hold Tesla to a higher standard than they might otherwise with a comparable ICE vehicle. Whilst I am no great fan of Tesla, their "no customer service" model and the abysmal retained values, I do like their products and would never switch back to an ICE vehicle as a daily driver.
As bad as I think Tesla the company is, compared to Ferrari they are absolute saints. Ferraris disdain for their customer base over the decades is pretty legendary; but in the last 6 years they have taken it to a whole new level. Again for amusements sakes lets
imagine you are a buyer for the new Roadster and Tesla takes the same marketing class as the mafiosa at Ferrari. You walk into a Tesla dealership (such as they are) and make an enquiry about ordering the new Roadster:
Salesman: You're interested in a Roadster you say? Hmmm, well you know they are a pretty special car.
You: Yup, that's why I want to order one.
Salesman: Gee, I'm not sure we can get you an allocation.
You: WTF, it's a $350k car! I'm sure you're not being inundated with punters lining up to buy every one you can produce.
Salesman: Well it's pretty special as I said. We are reserving allocations for our very best customers.
You: Well I think I qualify, I was an early adopter who bought the original Roadster. This will be my 4th Tesla, I really love them and wouldn't
dream of buying anything else.
Salesman: You're not actually that special.
You: WTF !
Salesman: Ok calm down, maybe we can work something out. If you can put together a resume of your Tesla ownership history I'll forward it
to the mothership in Fremont and see if anything can be done.
You: Gee they really must be something special, I want one so I'll play along. You put together a resume of your Tesla buying history and
submit it at the dealership.
A few weeks go by and the salesman gives you a call.
Salesman: I'm sorry, I tried but Fremont confirms you're really not that special.
You: But; but...... I really want one.
Salesman: You're such a nice bloke and I can see you're really passionate about the product. Let me call the mothership and go into bat for
you.
Another few weeks.... no phone call. You call the dealership.
You: Just wondering how you went with Fremont?
Salesman: Sorry, I've been overwhelmed with enquiries for this new Roadster. Look, maybe we might be able to get you an allocation if
you were to buy a new Model X Performance at full list price with every option ticked.
You: If that's what it takes to get a Roadster allocation, sign me up!
Salesman: Ok done.
You: Take my money man and let's order this Roadster!
Salesman: Ok that's $230k for the Model X Performance and we need 25% down on the Roadster to secure that allocation. We can
spec the Roadster when they go into production in 12 months time.
You: Yeah, I'm getting a Roadster baby!
So now you own a Model X Performance that you neither wanted nor needed and you've dropped 50% of your money the moment you drive it out the door.
Fast forward 12 months and it's time to spec your Roadster allocation.
Salesman: Great to see you again. Lets log in to our mega $ configurator and have a look at the comprehensive list of options available.
If you like you can even fly out to Fremont and one of our specialists can help you personalise your car. They will even give you
an "all access" tour of the factory.
You: Gee the options are pretty pricey.
Salesman: Well it's a very special car Sir.
You: Well it's $350k before any of these options. I reckon I can get by without most of them.
Salesman: Hmmmmm. You know I'm not sure Fremont will give you an allocation with only $75k of options.
You: WTF ! I bought a Model X Performance at full list to secure a Roadster allocation.
Salesman: Well I can submit the allocation and see what happens.
You: Off you go then. I'm special.
A few weeks go by and you visit the dealership again.
You: Have you heard back from Fremont yet?
Salesman: Yes, they suggest that Sir has another look at the options list and tries a bit harder this time.
You: FFS!
Salesman: Most of our VIP customers who have been lucky enough to be granted an allocation for this very special car have ordered an
average of $150k of options. I don't think I'll be able to get your allocation over the line unless you tick a few more boxes.
You: But I did what you said and took delivery of a Model X Performance at full whack!
Salesman: So did the VIP's who were successful in securing an allocation.
You: Well I guess it's a very special car, it will be uber rare and desirable. Ok then....... tick, tick, tick.
Salesman: Congratulations Sir, you'll be one of only three owners in Melbourne. This dealership has a waiting list of 12 VIP's for this car.
You really are incredibly fortunate to be able to secure an allocation.
You: Well I am special after all, just like I told you in the first place. Resume remember?
Fast forward 6 months and your car arrives............. along with 27 others for Melbourne alone. Australian allocation turns out to be 96 cars and resale values are consequently gutted. Turns out you're not that special after all.
I'm sure the above scenario sounds utterly ludicrous; but that's exactly how it works over at Ferrari. They've turned taking the piss out of their customers into an absolute art form.
After 40yrs around the marque and 30 plus years as a repeat buyer, the Ferrari pictured in my original post was the last I'll ever own. When they tried these tactics on me I walked down the road and bought from the competition.
So as bad as Tesla can be, they pale in comparison to the tactics used by other manufacturers.
Awesome, Tesla have covered their error. How nice.
Tesla extends free for life Premium Connectivity to more Australia and New Zealand customers | The Driven
Similar threads
