Tesla M3 Performance? Or not

[Ham_and_Jam]

Never thought I would want a Tesla, but I’m wanting a low maintenance, hassle free car for the next few years. I’m getting off the leasing treadmill, so buying outright (no monthlies) and low fuel costs needed.

After a lot of reading the M3 seems to fit the bill. However, as per usual I always seem to gravitate towards the bloodly expensive ones.

Current thinking is the updated >2024 performance. But this puts it firmly in £35k+ territory. Am I missing a bargain alternative in the M3 lineup?

I don’t want an old high mileage model, as I will be keeping it for many years.

[ZX10R NIN]

Have you driven a Mach e as they drive very well:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605132...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605222...

Fully leftfield is the rally (if you're going to spend )version:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603250...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506033...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 31st May 18:27

[butchstewie]

Assume you've seen the current PCH deal? Get the reasoning but it's a bloody good deal if you just wanted something that "just works" for 2-3 years.

[Jazoli]

Ham_and_Jam said:

Never thought I would want a Tesla, but I m wanting a low maintenance, hassle free car for the next few years. I m getting off the leasing treadmill, so buying outright (no monthlies) and low fuel costs needed.

After a lot of reading the M3 seems to fit the bill. However, as per usual I always seem to gravitate towards the bloodly expensive ones.

Current thinking is the updated >2024 performance. But this puts it firmly in £35k+ territory. Am I missing a bargain alternative in the M3 lineup?

I don t want an old high mileage model, as I will be keeping it for many years.

Yes why not? Although the dual motor LR is still indecently fast and a chunk cheaper, I test drove a ‘26 performance and was blown away by how fast it was, but in reality you can’t really use it for long, felt a like my old litre bikes in some respects.

[Ham_and_Jam]

Jazoli said:

Yes why not? Although the dual motor LR is still indecently fast and a chunk cheaper, I test drove a 26 performance and was blown away by how fast it was, but in reality you can t really use it for long, felt a like my old litre bikes in some respects.

My original thoughts were a LR 2021-23, but after reading various reviews I wanted the various handling upgrades the performance brings with it. Also fancy the 2024 Highland refresh.

[Ham_and_Jam]

butchstewie said:

Assume you've seen the current PCH deal? Get the reasoning but it's a bloody good deal if you just wanted something that "just works" for 2-3 years.

It is a good deal. I’ve had several cars since 2014 from the PH lease deals thread.

However I’m wanting to go very early semi retirement. With that I’m looking at taking out most of my monthly commitments. Buying a used M3 that will last 5-10 years is part of that plan.

[Ham_and_Jam]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you driven a Mach e as they drive very well:

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 31st May 18:27

Not sure they’re my cup of tea. Certainly my wife wouldn’t drive it.

She won’t drive our current car as it’s too big (EClass), and I want to make sure it suits both of us.

[Pickle_Rick]

Ham_and_Jam said:

Not sure they re my cup of tea. Certainly my wife wouldn t drive it.

She won t drive our current car as it s too big (EClass), and I want to make sure it suits both of us.

Yeah an M3 is a much better EV than the mach-e(or any ford for that matter). The LR is plenty quick enough too, the P can't be driven at 100% on the public roads anyway without losing your licence after 4 seconds or playing dodge the pothole

[samoht]

Ham_and_Jam said:

Current thinking is the updated >2024 performance. But this puts it firmly in £35k+ territory. Am I missing a bargain alternative in the M3 lineup?

Ham_and_Jam said:

My original thoughts were a LR 2021-23, but after reading various reviews I wanted the various handling upgrades the performance brings with it. Also fancy the 2024 Highland refresh.

It's not quite clear what you're asking here, you seem to have selected the Model 3, decided you want a 2024-on car and you want a Performance ... but you're asking if there are any cheaper Model 3s? Surely the answer is yes, but they're not the one you want?


If you're still considering Tesla alternatives you could look at a Polestar 2 with the Performance Pack with the facelift (so 73 plate on with the closed grill), which start from the £30-35k range I think.

[Ham_and_Jam]

samoht said:

It's not quite clear what you're asking here, you seem to have selected the Model 3, decided you want a 2024-on car and you want a Performance ... but you're asking if there are any cheaper Model 3s? Surely the answer is yes, but they're not the one you want?
.

i guess I m fighting with myself a bit. Do I really need the P, or will the LR be enough. It s not all about the straight line for me, but the handling that goes with the P upgrade. Are they worth the extra cost of the P?

Additionally I don t really know a great deal about Teslas, they werent really on my radar until now. So I m just asking the PH collective what they would do? Is there another option?

[Pickle_Rick]

Ham_and_Jam said:

i guess I m fighting with myself a bit. Do I really need the P, or will the LR be enough. It s not all about the straight line for me, but the handling that goes with the P upgrade. Are they worth the extra cost of the P?

Additionally I don t really know a great deal about Teslas, they werent really on my radar until now. So I m just asking the PH collective what they would do? Is there another option?

I've not driven the P, but the LR has superb handling, great fun to drive, quick steering. Suspension is quite firm so never wallows. As with all electronic power steering cars, it's harder to work out what the front is doing, but again this makes more of a difference on the track than the A610 to sainsburys. The upgraded brakes are only needed on track too. You used to be able to buy acceleration boost for the LR, not that it needed it unless you liked to take it over 100, no idea if it still an option on the highland. I'd take the LR with the smaller wheels if it were my cash.

[ZX10R NIN]

Ham_and_Jam said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you driven a Mach e as they drive very well:

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 31st May 18:27

Not sure they re my cup of tea. Certainly my wife wouldn t drive it.

She won t drive our current car as it s too big (EClass), and I want to make sure it suits both of us.

The Mach e & 3 are almoast identical in size.

Test drive both the LR & P3 that way you can decide if it's worth the extra.

[_Rodders_]

butchstewie said:

Assume you've seen the current PCH deal? Get the reasoning but it's a bloody good deal if you just wanted something that "just works" for 2-3 years.

You'd almost certainly spend more if you're buying outright for £35k+.

Would depend on how much you value the extra hp.

[AddyT.]

Haven’t driven one myself but a former colleagues friend had the Performance and chopped it in as was just a bit too much (speed wise) and couldn’t use all the power. Once had a full passenger seat launch in a Model S P100 and if its anything like that then the acceleration will be ridiculous! I do a lot of miles and see far more LR’s than P’s.

[occasionalranter]

The PCH deal is ridiculously cheap compared to the depreciation plus loss of return on capital plus road tax plus etc etc on purchase of a £30k+ newish used one.

[ninepoint2]

My son has just signed up for a Tesla via the very attractive leasing deal available, details are on the leasing thread, so I've been on a couple of test drives, they are the most soulless car I've ever experienced. The quality of the interior plastics is dire, and it's way too reliant on the screen for some very basic functions such as opening the glove box FFS. He currently has an electric Mini Cooper and it's streets ahead of the Tesla. As for me I’m a dinosaur with my twin turbo V8...

[napistonheads]

Ham_and_Jam said:

i guess I m fighting with myself a bit. Do I really need the P, or will the LR be enough. It s not all about the straight line for me, but the handling that goes with the P upgrade. Are they worth the extra cost of the P?

Additionally I don t really know a great deal about Teslas, they werent really on my radar until now. So I m just asking the PH collective what they would do? Is there another option?

Went through a similar process looking at the LR vs M3P highland and went with the performance. Better handling, quicker, adjustable suspension, better seats, looks better, not much penalty in range. Perceived quality is as good as the multiple BMW 3 series I’ve had, tech/sound system fantastic, spacious, good storage, ride can be a little firm but less so than an M3/M4 comp. 15 months and 14k in the novelty hasn’t worn off yet. No issues with using the screen or having indicator buttons. Vehicle choice is very personal everyone will like and prioritise different things, really like the M3P highland, worth the extra over the LR for me absolutely no buyers remorse I’d definitely buy again (or the new model Y performance).