Model 3 Performance Owners' Feedback
Discussion
I'm keen to put down some thoughts on my M3 performance so far (just under a month of ownership) to see if a) the experience is consistent and b) to create a platform for general ownership advice.
So here's a few observations:
1. The high beam assist is horrendous. Doesn't dip for taillights until the last minute, doesn't dip at all in villages, takes forever to dip for on-coming traffic. Perhaps I have a calibration issue or this is consistent with others?
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
3. Mine fully charged gives a range of 302 miles. Tesla claim higher so a bit odd.
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
5. My sensor on the wipers barely works so I need to use manual. Needs to go in but that's a total ball ache so I haven't bothered.
6. I've lost all sounds twice now and had to do a factory reset, which they talked me through on the phone. Seems to be sorted now.
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
9. Anyone know how to make the map go to 3D? It auto does it now and again but I'd rather that was the main view.
10. Voice command is woeful. Given how good Siri is and how few buttons there are, it's a weak area for the car.
11. Autopilot is too jumpy. I can put up with it but it can be twitchy with the brakes. I'd like to think I was a courteous driver so on the motor way, I'm very conscious of over-braking and causing people to queue up. However, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
I have loads more than this, but these are the main things
So here's a few observations:
1. The high beam assist is horrendous. Doesn't dip for taillights until the last minute, doesn't dip at all in villages, takes forever to dip for on-coming traffic. Perhaps I have a calibration issue or this is consistent with others?
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
3. Mine fully charged gives a range of 302 miles. Tesla claim higher so a bit odd.
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
5. My sensor on the wipers barely works so I need to use manual. Needs to go in but that's a total ball ache so I haven't bothered.
6. I've lost all sounds twice now and had to do a factory reset, which they talked me through on the phone. Seems to be sorted now.
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
9. Anyone know how to make the map go to 3D? It auto does it now and again but I'd rather that was the main view.
10. Voice command is woeful. Given how good Siri is and how few buttons there are, it's a weak area for the car.
11. Autopilot is too jumpy. I can put up with it but it can be twitchy with the brakes. I'd like to think I was a courteous driver so on the motor way, I'm very conscious of over-braking and causing people to queue up. However, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
I have loads more than this, but these are the main things
Frimley111R said:
JJMatrixx said:
lHowever, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
I
Is that for normal driving?I
TX.
Terminator X said:
Frimley111R said:
JJMatrixx said:
lHowever, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
I
Is that for normal driving?I
TX.
You can turn off brake regen so it coasts like a normal car but that would be daft.
1. The high beam assist is horrendous. Doesn't dip for taillights until the last minute, doesn't dip at all in villages, takes forever to dip for on-coming traffic. Perhaps I have a calibration issue or this is consistent with others?
I turned it off because you cant manually turn on FB only flash with it enabled
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
There are youtube road tests on the M3P 0-60 time at 10% SoC drops, its not really noticeable until the lower third of SoC
3. Mine fully charged gives a range of 302 miles. Tesla claim higher so a bit odd.
Telsa has reportedly 'banked' some battery very recently to give a reserve when you hit 0 miles, stick to SoC% all the estimated figures are nonsense
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
I can get 1 mile per 1% battery in track mode
traffic conditions, what you have turned on and how you drive make a huge difference, eco driving i can avg about 240KWh5. My sensor on the wipers barely works so I need to use manual. Needs to go in but that's a total ball ache so I haven't bothered.
Auto wipers are s
te, its the only thing that bugs me not having them on a stalk6. I've lost all sounds twice now and had to do a factory reset, which they talked me through on the phone. Seems to be sorted now.
not had this
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
varies, flat out heating runs between 6-7KWh but you wouldn't do that very often in the UK
9. Anyone know how to make the map go to 3D? It auto does it now and again but I'd rather that was the main view.
You cant, its from 2003, it is an easy fix, get a mobile phone mount and use WAZE, the maps are terribly out of date, even the speed limits are wrong
10. Voice command is woeful. Given how good Siri is and how few buttons there are, it's a weak area for the car.
see previous answer
11. Autopilot is too jumpy. I can put up with it but it can be twitchy with the brakes. I'd like to think I was a courteous driver so on the motor way, I'm very conscious of over-braking and causing people to queue up. However, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
the update made it very jerky if you have the car range set close its better set at 4-5 but then people will sneak in front of you ...
JJMatrixx said:
I'm keen to put down some thoughts on my M3 performance so far (just under a month of ownership) to see if a) the experience is consistent and b) to create a platform for general ownership advice.
So here's a few observations:
1. The high beam assist is horrendous. Doesn't dip for taillights until the last minute, doesn't dip at all in villages, takes forever to dip for on-coming traffic. Perhaps I have a calibration issue or this is consistent with others?
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
I find the auto high beams to work well overall.So here's a few observations:
1. The high beam assist is horrendous. Doesn't dip for taillights until the last minute, doesn't dip at all in villages, takes forever to dip for on-coming traffic. Perhaps I have a calibration issue or this is consistent with others?
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
SOC does affect performance, but I'd hardly call its performance below 60% "limping along". In reality, the 0-60 mph time increases by less than 0.5 seconds at that SOC, meaning it's still around 4 seconds dead. I have yet to live in a reality where 4 seconds 0-60 is "slow".
Seats fit me very well.
Heated seats and A/C hardly affect the range at all. The cabin heat though absolutely does, and fairly dramatically.
Dave Hedgehog said:
1. The high beam assist is horrendous. Doesn't dip for taillights until the last minute, doesn't dip at all in villages, takes forever to dip for on-coming traffic. Perhaps I have a calibration issue or this is consistent with others?
I turned it off because you cant manually turn on FB only flash with it enabled
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
There are youtube road tests on the M3P 0-60 time at 10% SoC drops, its not really noticeable until the lower third of SoC
3. Mine fully charged gives a range of 302 miles. Tesla claim higher so a bit odd.
Telsa has reportedly 'banked' some battery very recently to give a reserve when you hit 0 miles, stick to SoC% all the estimated figures are nonsense
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
I can get 1 mile per 1% battery in track mode traffic conditions, what you have turned on and how you drive make a huge difference, eco driving i can avg about 240KWh
5. My sensor on the wipers barely works so I need to use manual. Needs to go in but that's a total ball ache so I haven't bothered.
Auto wipers are ste, its the only thing that bugs me not having them on a stalk
6. I've lost all sounds twice now and had to do a factory reset, which they talked me through on the phone. Seems to be sorted now.
not had this
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
varies, flat out heating runs between 6-7KWh but you wouldn't do that very often in the UK
9. Anyone know how to make the map go to 3D? It auto does it now and again but I'd rather that was the main view.
You cant, its from 2003, it is an easy fix, get a mobile phone mount and use WAZE, the maps are terribly out of date, even the speed limits are wrong
10. Voice command is woeful. Given how good Siri is and how few buttons there are, it's a weak area for the car.
see previous answer
11. Autopilot is too jumpy. I can put up with it but it can be twitchy with the brakes. I'd like to think I was a courteous driver so on the motor way, I'm very conscious of over-braking and causing people to queue up. However, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
the update made it very jerky if you have the car range set close its better set at 4-5 but then people will sneak in front of you ...
What does ‘i can avg about 240KWh’ mean?I turned it off because you cant manually turn on FB only flash with it enabled
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
There are youtube road tests on the M3P 0-60 time at 10% SoC drops, its not really noticeable until the lower third of SoC
3. Mine fully charged gives a range of 302 miles. Tesla claim higher so a bit odd.
Telsa has reportedly 'banked' some battery very recently to give a reserve when you hit 0 miles, stick to SoC% all the estimated figures are nonsense
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
I can get 1 mile per 1% battery in track mode
traffic conditions, what you have turned on and how you drive make a huge difference, eco driving i can avg about 240KWh5. My sensor on the wipers barely works so I need to use manual. Needs to go in but that's a total ball ache so I haven't bothered.
Auto wipers are s
te, its the only thing that bugs me not having them on a stalk6. I've lost all sounds twice now and had to do a factory reset, which they talked me through on the phone. Seems to be sorted now.
not had this
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
varies, flat out heating runs between 6-7KWh but you wouldn't do that very often in the UK
9. Anyone know how to make the map go to 3D? It auto does it now and again but I'd rather that was the main view.
You cant, its from 2003, it is an easy fix, get a mobile phone mount and use WAZE, the maps are terribly out of date, even the speed limits are wrong
10. Voice command is woeful. Given how good Siri is and how few buttons there are, it's a weak area for the car.
see previous answer
11. Autopilot is too jumpy. I can put up with it but it can be twitchy with the brakes. I'd like to think I was a courteous driver so on the motor way, I'm very conscious of over-braking and causing people to queue up. However, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
the update made it very jerky if you have the car range set close its better set at 4-5 but then people will sneak in front of you ...
Interesting reading as an owner of a much older Tesla.
I could have written that list about my2016 Model S. Surprised some the more simple stuff like wiper and lights.
Disappointing that the range isn’t a massive improvement as I heard that they were doing 300 real world motorway miles which would be a really big milestone. I believe 300 miles and sub 30 min charging is when they will really be totally useable. Don’t want to bash Tesla they are the best out there but feel range wise things haven’t moved on as fast as expected seem to be stuck at mid 200s still. I guess battery density is going to be the key.
I could have written that list about my2016 Model S. Surprised some the more simple stuff like wiper and lights.
Disappointing that the range isn’t a massive improvement as I heard that they were doing 300 real world motorway miles which would be a really big milestone. I believe 300 miles and sub 30 min charging is when they will really be totally useable. Don’t want to bash Tesla they are the best out there but feel range wise things haven’t moved on as fast as expected seem to be stuck at mid 200s still. I guess battery density is going to be the key.
JJMatrixx said:
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
Honestly if you are getting less commuting than on motorway you are either doing it wrong or your car is broke.Now there has been some model 3's with poor efficiency for a few reasons (one I know had a stuck rear brake caliper).
RobDickinson said:
JJMatrixx said:
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
Honestly if you are getting less commuting than on motorway you are either doing it wrong or your car is broke.Now there has been some model 3's with poor efficiency for a few reasons (one I know had a stuck rear brake caliper).
I have this problem with my commute. Not a big deal as it’s short but just an observation of high usage.
REALIST123 said:
What does ‘i can avg about 240KWh’ mean?
It means I know fk all about units of measurement should be 240Wh / mile so just over 4 miles per 1 kWh of battery What makes me laugh is I used to have 5 60w bulbs in my front room so I can drive around in a getting on for 2 tonne car using less energy than those bulbs used lol
Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Wednesday 30th October 21:46
ntiz said:
He mentioned it’s on B roads so I assume lots of braking and accelerating which murders range especially if being done enthusiastically.
I have this problem with my commute. Not a big deal as it’s short but just an observation of high usage.
Yeah if you are thrashing it like an ICE car I guess you could murder the range. But then you dont get the stated efficiency of an ICE car when you do that either. I have this problem with my commute. Not a big deal as it’s short but just an observation of high usage.
RobDickinson said:
ntiz said:
He mentioned it’s on B roads so I assume lots of braking and accelerating which murders range especially if being done enthusiastically.
I have this problem with my commute. Not a big deal as it’s short but just an observation of high usage.
Yeah if you are thrashing it like an ICE car I guess you could murder the range. But then you dont get the stated efficiency of an ICE car when you do that either. I have this problem with my commute. Not a big deal as it’s short but just an observation of high usage.
Only major difference is that in town EVs don’t waste energy whilst sitting in traffic well not much anyway.
JJMatrixx said:
I'm keen to put down some thoughts on my M3 performance so far (just under a month of ownership) to see if a) the experience is consistent and b) to create a platform for general ownership advice.
So here's a few observations:
1. The high beam assist is horrendous. Doesn't dip for taillights until the last minute, doesn't dip at all in villages, takes forever to dip for on-coming traffic. Perhaps I have a calibration issue or this is consistent with others?
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
3. Mine fully charged gives a range of 302 miles. Tesla claim higher so a bit odd.
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
5. My sensor on the wipers barely works so I need to use manual. Needs to go in but that's a total ball ache so I haven't bothered.
6. I've lost all sounds twice now and had to do a factory reset, which they talked me through on the phone. Seems to be sorted now.
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
9. Anyone know how to make the map go to 3D? It auto does it now and again but I'd rather that was the main view.
10. Voice command is woeful. Given how good Siri is and how few buttons there are, it's a weak area for the car.
11. Autopilot is too jumpy. I can put up with it but it can be twitchy with the brakes. I'd like to think I was a courteous driver so on the motor way, I'm very conscious of over-braking and causing people to queue up. However, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
I have loads more than this, but these are the main things
Thank goodness for an honest current EV review. This is the reality and what I fear about owning a Tesla or other EV for every day general use. The AC vs range decision sums up the potential EV ownership experience at the moment. The EV’s I see on the motorway are all conserving power. EV’s are probably fine as a local runabout but comparatively expensive to buy for just this role. When will the real world 500 mile range EV arrive? I’d buy one tomorrow. So here's a few observations:
1. The high beam assist is horrendous. Doesn't dip for taillights until the last minute, doesn't dip at all in villages, takes forever to dip for on-coming traffic. Perhaps I have a calibration issue or this is consistent with others?
2. Does anyone know how much charge affects performance? It's clear that below c.60 miles it limps along. But below 200miles I'd say there's still a small dip. Anyone have any facts on this?
3. Mine fully charged gives a range of 302 miles. Tesla claim higher so a bit odd.
4. My actual range is way less. When driving conservatively on the motorway, I get 3/4 of whatever it says. When commuting, I get half. So my actual range I'd say is closer to 1/2. For reference, I don't hang about and commute across a B road but even still, very poor.
5. My sensor on the wipers barely works so I need to use manual. Needs to go in but that's a total ball ache so I haven't bothered.
6. I've lost all sounds twice now and had to do a factory reset, which they talked me through on the phone. Seems to be sorted now.
7. The seats need an slidy adjustment thing under the thighs, like on Audi/BMW etc. As it stands, the seats really aren't very comfy.
8. Does anyone know the actual range reduction implications for running A/c and heated seats. My commute is short enough for me not to really worry about this but on a longer journey I was running with the A/c off to make the trip on one charge there and back.
9. Anyone know how to make the map go to 3D? It auto does it now and again but I'd rather that was the main view.
10. Voice command is woeful. Given how good Siri is and how few buttons there are, it's a weak area for the car.
11. Autopilot is too jumpy. I can put up with it but it can be twitchy with the brakes. I'd like to think I was a courteous driver so on the motor way, I'm very conscious of over-braking and causing people to queue up. However, that's impossible as every time you lift off the throttle, your brake lights come on. Must be a nightmare to sit behind!
I have loads more than this, but these are the main things
Phil. said:
Thank goodness for an honest current EV review. This is the reality and what I fear about owning a Tesla or other EV for every day general use. The AC vs range decision sums up the potential EV ownership experience at the moment. The EV’s I see on the motorway are all conserving power. EV’s are probably fine as a local runabout but comparatively expensive to buy for just this role. When will the real world 500 mile range EV arrive? I’d buy one tomorrow.
Could be done now but it'd be another very niche, expensive car, with a huge battery. It sounds like the Tesla Roadster might have a range of that order. Gassing Station | Tesla | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff