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Worth it to upgrade from LR RWD to P3D?

SigNC

Active Member
Aug 23, 2017
1,461
1,260
NC
Difference between P3 with 18 and LR RWD is 20 miles. I suspect difference to P3 with 19s or 20s is more.

While on paper yes but I have a RWD LR with 19" and a P3D with 20"s and the range difference is way more than 20 miles doing any real world driving.
 

SigNC

Active Member
Aug 23, 2017
1,461
1,260
NC
Sorry looks like i'm basically saying the same thing as ElectricIAC now that i've made it to end of thread :)
 

ElectricIAC

Devil’s Advocate
Dec 31, 2019
2,192
518
DFW
Sorry looks like i'm basically saying the same thing as ElectricIAC now that i've made it to end of thread :)
Yeah. Dual motors don’t come without a price. It really makes me wonder what kind of numbers we could see out of a single motor Model X, having driven a single motor S before as a loaner it seemed to return numbers often similar to the P3D at moderate speeds.
 
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daniel

Active Member
May 7, 2009
4,743
3,566
Kihei, HI
I have a 2018 Model 3 - LR RWD, and have been thinking about upgrading to an ‘18-‘19 P3D. I’m not concerned with the loss in efficiency range. I purchased mine just over a year ago for $44k, and should still be able to get close to that number today.

With preowned P3D’s selling for low 50’s used, just curious if anyone has made the switch and what they thought? I haven’t driven the P3D, so I’m a bit in the dark.

I wanted P-D. But First Production didn't offer it and I didn't want to wait. So I got LR-RWD. Also had to get the upgraded interior, which I didn't want. Now I love the upgraded interior and don't feel any need for P. I drove a Roadster for about seven years. I loved its performance (which is significantly slower than the P3D's performance) but that car ate tires like a seal eats fish. When I got the 3 I thought maybe I'd trade it for a P3D when that became available. Now, I've got no interest in upgrading to P. My car suits me too well to think that anything shy of Level 3 autonomy would be an improvement.

Torque is fun. I mean, like, really REALLY fun. But the crazy thing is that my LR-RWD has way more torque than almost anything else on the road. It's got all I'm ever going to need for merging and passing. But I'm 71 years old and a car is transportation. My advice: If you want a fun toy and can afford it, upgrade; if your car is transportation, save your money.
 

AhwatukeeDad

Member
Jun 30, 2013
245
150
Phoenix, Arizona
Worth it is very personal. I have a P3D and my wife has a LR RWD. Both are zippy cars but the way the P3D presses you back in your seat is unlike anything I have ever driven. It is very worth it to me.

so much so that I have a TriMotor Cybertruck reservation and will only consider a Performance Model Y.

ymmv...
 

tomas

Out of warranty...
Oct 22, 2012
4,232
3,802
Chicago/Montecito
While on paper yes but I have a RWD LR with 19" and a P3D with 20"s and the range difference is way more than 20 miles doing any real world driving.
I said it was more with 20s, didn’t I? And I wasn’t reporting on paper difference. I have both cars with 18s. And, my direct experience is that driven similarly in the real world, difference is 20. Of course if you go wild with the P, the difference goes up.
 

inikkor

Member
Apr 26, 2019
78
54
Boston MA
Here is my opinion. The performance is not fun. It's actually boring. A Miata would be considered a fun car, not a tesla. It's very fast for sure but that's it.

The driving dynamics are mediocre. The steering is numb and the suspensions actually suck. The are stiff without being sporty which is totally to be expected on a vehicle that weights over two tons.

I would suggest to stick to your model 3. A much much sensible car without false pretenses. Or look at a base model Y. That make make more sense than a M3P.

Disclosure. I owned a model 3 stealth.
 

ElectricIAC

Devil’s Advocate
Dec 31, 2019
2,192
518
DFW
Here is my opinion. The performance is not fun. It's actually boring. A Miata would be considered a fun car, not a tesla. It's very fast for sure but that's it.

The driving dynamics are mediocre. The steering is numb and the suspensions actually suck. The are stiff without being sporty which is totally to be expected on a vehicle that weights over two tons.

I would suggest to stick to your model 3. A much much sensible car without false pretenses. Or look at a base model Y. That make make more sense than a M3P.

Disclosure. I owned a model 3 stealth.
I have to give it to our 3MR in the handling department. It certainly felt more spry than the P3D of course I’ll have to try the new track mode with full rear bias to really do the comparison justice.
 

StellarRat

Active Member
Jan 8, 2014
1,490
1,337
Pacific
While on paper yes but I have a RWD LR with 19" and a P3D with 20"s and the range difference is way more than 20 miles doing any real world driving.
From some posts here (way back) I think the difference is more like 30 or 40 miles IRL. People were complaining they weren't getting even close to the EPA range in the P while people with the RWD were getting at or even more than the EPA number. Could partly be that people that drive the P tend to be lead footed. I mean after all it is a performance vehicle. I find the RWD plenty fast enough for all my needs.
 

SigNC

Active Member
Aug 23, 2017
1,461
1,260
NC
I have to give it to our 3MR in the handling department. It certainly felt more spry than the P3D of course I’ll have to try the new track mode with full rear bias to really do the comparison justice.

steering is certainly lighter on a RWD car than the AWD and of course the RWD doesn't lift the front on hard acceleration.
 
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remlemasi

Member
May 30, 2018
357
275
SoCal
It’s like the base 3 series vs the M3. That’s about the difference between a RWD vs Performance.

Not even close IMO. With a P3D, you have significantly faster acceleration, slightly better braking, and track mode for when you’re at the track. Interior is identical, exterior is identical (for the most part).

With an M3, it’s special walking up to it and drooling over the flared fenders, gaping air intake, quad tips, bulging hood, carbon fiber roof. It’s special when open the door, glowing M badges everywhere, sit inside, hands grabbing the wheel, seats grabbing hold of your body. It’s special when you start it up, loud enough to wake the whole neighborhood. It’s special when you shift into gear, step on the gas and hear the exhaust growl louder, even if you’re just cruising around at 5mph. It’s special when you slam on the brakes from 80mph for a 270-degree freeway interchange, turn the wheel and feel how insane the grip is and how finely tuned the suspension is. You get none of this in a base 3 series, or even the M340i for that matter.

The P3D is an amazing car and an amazing value, but under normal day-to-day, it’s nothing special over even an SR+. This is especially true if you’re on Autopilot every chance you get, like a lot of us are.

Not trying to downplay the value of the P3D over the 3LR and definitely not comparing the BMW to the P3D. Just countering your comparison to “BMW 3-Series vs BMW M3.”
 
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Apprunner

Member
Jul 2, 2019
437
502
So-cal
Not even close IMO. With a P3D, you have significantly faster acceleration, slightly better braking, and track mode for when you’re at the track. Interior is identical, exterior is identical (for the most part).

With an M3, it’s special walking up to it and drooling over the flared fenders, gaping air intake, quad tips, bulging hood, carbon fiber roof. It’s special when open the door, glowing M badges everywhere, sit inside, hands grabbing the wheel, seats grabbing hold of your body. It’s special when you start it up, loud enough to wake the whole neighborhood. It’s special when you shift into gear, step on the gas and hear the exhaust growl louder, even if you’re just cruising around at 5mph. It’s special when you slam on the brakes from 80mph for a 270-degree freeway interchange, turn the wheel and feel how insane the grip is and how finely tuned the suspension is.

The P3D is an amazing car and an amazing value, but under normal day-to-day, it’s nothing special over even an SR+. This is especially true if you’re on Autopilot every chance you get, like a lot of us are.

Not trying to downplay the value of the P3D over the 3LR. Just countering your comparison to a BMW 3-Series vs BMW M3.
Did you read the posts? This was purely in regards to acceleration. :rolleyes:
 

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