First EV, 2020 M3P, good idea?

First EV, 2020 M3P, good idea?

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ldn_mx5

Original Poster:

71 posts

41 months

Monday 29th May 2023
quotequote all
So apart from the P vs LR question; when buying used, any specific tips on what to look out for? Look out fot creaks/rattles, uneven panel gaps, poor quality interior finish, assume everything else will be covered by warranty if needed?

Merry

1,374 posts

189 months

Monday 29th May 2023
quotequote all
ldn_mx5 said:
So apart from the P vs LR question; when buying used, any specific tips on what to look out for? Look out fot creaks/rattles, uneven panel gaps, poor quality interior finish, assume everything else will be covered by warranty if needed?
I used this guide

https://tesla-info.com/guide/tesla-model-3-buyers-...

But yeah pretty you've pretty much nailed it there.

SWoll

18,494 posts

259 months

Monday 29th May 2023
quotequote all
Merry said:
ldn_mx5 said:
So apart from the P vs LR question; when buying used, any specific tips on what to look out for? Look out fot creaks/rattles, uneven panel gaps, poor quality interior finish, assume everything else will be covered by warranty if needed?
I used this guide

https://tesla-info.com/guide/tesla-model-3-buyers-...

But yeah pretty you've pretty much nailed it there.
Out of interest, what's the wait time like nowadays on parts if a warranty claim is required?

delta0

2,357 posts

107 months

Monday 29th May 2023
quotequote all
1 year in with my ‘22 M3P and loving it. The acceleration is still mind blowing. Looking forward to taking it to Le Mans again this year.

Merry

1,374 posts

189 months

Monday 29th May 2023
quotequote all
SWoll said:
Out of interest, what's the wait time like nowadays on parts if a warranty claim is required?
About 4 days for the bits I had done. No idea for anything more major though.

manracer

1,545 posts

98 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
FWIW said:
If you’re only interested in traffic light Grand Prix, sure, but I believe that for real world, (50-70 etc) acceleration the LR+AB is actually faster.
I disagree. Yes there is little in but there M3P is quicker in all scenarios IMO.

Also the M3P feels a fair bit more special to drive overall.

The suspension a bit firmer, less roll, just ideal a bit sportier.



FWIW

3,070 posts

98 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
https://youtu.be/2bn3tUSNhrQ

You’re entitled to your opinion but if either car is quicker in any scenario other than 0-30, that’s entirely down to the driver and not the car (on public roads).

This Carwow vid compares P, LR (non AB) and SR+

Edited by FWIW on Tuesday 30th May 00:47

delta0

2,357 posts

107 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
I appreciate carwow but they aren’t the most scientific. The Performance does have higher output across the entire speed range so will accelerate quicker.


ashenfie

717 posts

47 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
delta0 said:
I appreciate carwow but they aren’t the most scientific. The Performance does have higher output across the entire speed range so will accelerate quicker.

I think the way carcow do test does demonstrate real performance well. No hidden factors skewing the results which can happen on the graph approach.

delta0

2,357 posts

107 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
ashenfie said:
delta0 said:
I appreciate carwow but they aren’t the most scientific. The Performance does have higher output across the entire speed range so will accelerate quicker.

I think the way carcow do test does demonstrate real performance well. No hidden factors skewing the results which can happen on the graph approach.
Too many variables. Tyres, battery etc. I’ve been in both and the P is definitely quicker at all speeds.

manracer

1,545 posts

98 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
I have both on my drive right now and have driven both extensively. I also test things for a living so also agree about how to control the variables.

The thing that I notice the most is that when both cars are at a low SoC (<20%) that despite both suffering from a loss of power, the P seems to maintain more of its potential vs the LR with acceleration boost.

Whilst the difference between the two once rolling isn't huge, there is a difference based on my experience.

ldn_mx5

Original Poster:

71 posts

41 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
When buying used, can I easily verify what % of brand new battery capacity remains?

Merry

1,374 posts

189 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
ldn_mx5 said:
When buying used, can I easily verify what % of brand new battery capacity remains?
I think you can guesstimate based on the number of miles range it shows at 100%. But that's by no means accurate.

Based from what I read they drop 5% or so early on then level out for quite some time. Given the length of the battery warranty I've filed it under 'things not to worry about'.

delta0

2,357 posts

107 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
Merry said:
ldn_mx5 said:
When buying used, can I easily verify what % of brand new battery capacity remains?
I think you can guesstimate based on the number of miles range it shows at 100%. But that's by no means accurate.

Based from what I read they drop 5% or so early on then level out for quite some time. Given the length of the battery warranty I've filed it under 'things not to worry about'.
Correct. Usually most of the drop in battery happens at the start and it levels out. It’s worth recalibrating the BMS from time to time. Let the battery get down low around 20%, leave it over night without sentry on etc. then bring it over to 90% and do the same. Giving it some data points low down on the battery help with predictions for the range and having a 90% charge will allow it to recalibrate the cell resistances.

annodomini2

6,871 posts

252 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
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I'd personally aim for a 01/21-09/21 LR.

Still has Radar, Parking Sensors, working USB ports.

Gains Facelift, better interior and Heated Steering Wheel.

paradigital

873 posts

153 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
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annodomini2 said:
I'd personally aim for a 01/21-09/21 LR.

Still has Radar, Parking Sensors, working USB ports.

Gains Facelift, better interior and Heated Steering Wheel.
However don’t rule out an early to mid 2022. All the above with the exception of the front usb ports, which can be fixed with a module from Abstract Ocean for not much.

ldn_mx5

Original Poster:

71 posts

41 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
What‘s the deal with USB ports - do older models and/or Performance model don‘t come with those?! Apple CarPlay and connectivity via USB port were things I was taking for granted…

paradigital

873 posts

153 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
ldn_mx5 said:
What‘s the deal with USB ports - do older models and/or Performance model don‘t come with those?! Apple CarPlay and connectivity via USB port were things I was taking for granted…
Older are going to be USB-A (prefacelift), early facelift get full data USB-C, later 2022-on tend to get power only, not data.

My March 22 M3P only had power supplying USB-C ports in the front/center console, but I fixed this with the Abstract Ocean replacement module, no cabling or coding required.

Carplay isn’t a thing at all without doing it via Raspberry Pi.

manracer

1,545 posts

98 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
FWIW said:
https://youtu.be/2bn3tUSNhrQ

You’re entitled to your opinion but if either car is quicker in any scenario other than 0-30, that’s entirely down to the driver and not the car (on public roads).

This Carwow vid compares P, LR (non AB) and SR+

Edited by FWIW on Tuesday 30th May 00:47
In the nicest possible way, I believe my own senses rather than a YouTube video from Mat Watson.

mattcov

721 posts

227 months

Tuesday 30th May 2023
quotequote all
In every real world scenario the P is noticeably snappier and instant. There are more differences on the later refreshed (LR and P) models though like:

Double Glazing (front)
Electric Tailgate
Heated Steering Wheel
Refreshed front console (that doesnt rattle)
Stronger (but heavier) alloys P models
Heat Pump
Boombox/Ped Warning System
Plastic undertrays on later v fabric type on older
Led Matrix headlights on later models
Better NVH supression/ride/damping and general fit and finish is noticeably improved.

If you can get an immaculate earlier M3P its probably worth going for, but if not for the same money I think a later refreshed LR would be better.