M3 LR used purchase
Discussion
The LFP battery cars with the 306 mile range are called Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive - they dropped the Standard Range Plus title.
It's a tricky decision, but for me having to live with the car for a few years I felt if I went RWD I'd long for an LR after a bit, despite the RWD probably fitting my needs in reality.
What swung it for me was having a play with PCP calculator on the Tesla preowned site. If you look at the GMFV's for LR's vs RWD of similar age and mileage, the LR holds most of the additional purchase price in the residual value after 4 years.
Other than the additional purchase price, there aren't really any disadvantages to going for the LR. The RWD/SRP is marginally more efficient in terms of miles per KWh, but if you're charging at home on Octopus Intelligent Go for 6.5 hours a night at 7.5p/KWh the difference in cost is nothing.
If I was going RWD/SRP, I'd want to be paying low £20k's. £25k+, LR all the way.
In a few years, 95% of potential buyers won't have a clue about battery chemistry and the benefits/pitfalls of different types. They'll just buy the one with biggest range.
It's a tricky decision, but for me having to live with the car for a few years I felt if I went RWD I'd long for an LR after a bit, despite the RWD probably fitting my needs in reality.
What swung it for me was having a play with PCP calculator on the Tesla preowned site. If you look at the GMFV's for LR's vs RWD of similar age and mileage, the LR holds most of the additional purchase price in the residual value after 4 years.
Other than the additional purchase price, there aren't really any disadvantages to going for the LR. The RWD/SRP is marginally more efficient in terms of miles per KWh, but if you're charging at home on Octopus Intelligent Go for 6.5 hours a night at 7.5p/KWh the difference in cost is nothing.
If I was going RWD/SRP, I'd want to be paying low £20k's. £25k+, LR all the way.
In a few years, 95% of potential buyers won't have a clue about battery chemistry and the benefits/pitfalls of different types. They'll just buy the one with biggest range.
spaceship said:
RayDonovan said:
As I mentioned earlier, I still think prices will depress heading towards Q2 2024 when the volume of 2021 LR lease models hit the market (doesn't really help you now though)..
Do you think they’ll keep dropping that much? I’m looking at LRs at the moment and there are more and more coming on each day.Anything £25k and under with low-ish miles seems to sell quickly.
My prediction is by the start of Q3 you'll be able to pick up an average mileage '21 LR model for circa £20k.
quinny100 said:
gotoPzero said:
I think
Wheels
White interior
Tow bar
Enhanced AP
FSD
Paint
I think thats it.
Acceleration Boost as well.Wheels
White interior
Tow bar
Enhanced AP
FSD
Paint
I think thats it.
The Chinese cars with the dash trim extending into the door cards have heated rear seats and steering wheel as standard.
And to confirm, all Model 3 LR from 2021 onwards are Chinese built?
As a rule of thumb I think 2021 onwards yes but to be double sure just check the VIN.
Last letter should be C.
If its F then its USA car.
https://teslatap.com/vin-decoder/
Last letter should be C.
If its F then its USA car.
https://teslatap.com/vin-decoder/
Leptons said:
Model 3, please stop being cringey. An M3 is something completely different…
This is a Tesla section of PH so M3 is quite widely used here when talking about a Model 3. In the same way that MS, MX and MY is used to refer to other models. Everyone here knows exactly what they mean when they talk about an M3. Other sections of PH are available! And I'm very pleased with my Model 3 so why would I want people to think I'm driving anything else? I'm sure most Model 3 owners will think the same way.
Edited by CharlieAlphaMike on Saturday 20th January 08:45
gotoPzero said:
Looking for advice ..... my car has sold... so now I really need to get my skates on to find a M3.
I am still torn between the SR+ and LR.
The SR+
I can get a 2022 with sub 20k miles.
Pros
LFP so in theory battery will be more durable
A year newer than LR
Around 2 years warranty left
Cons
Slower
No AWD
Not as much ultimate range
Not got the premium sound system
LFP does not like the cold
Will I regret a SR+? I think ultimate range is not an issue for me.
But performance.... its a while since I have had a "slow" car.
I do drive NSL roads quite a bit in the early hours and do enjoy a bit of "progress".
The other issue is I drive these roads in all weathers and I have had AWD for years for this reason.
I am likely to keep this for at least 4-5 years I would have thought.
Head says LFP, heart says LR?
It's true that the LR will be quicker off the line than a RWD but I wouldn't say the RWD is slow. Being an EV, the instant torque makes them quick enough for day-to-day driving. Even in 'chill' mode they're still quick.I am still torn between the SR+ and LR.
The SR+
I can get a 2022 with sub 20k miles.
Pros
LFP so in theory battery will be more durable
A year newer than LR
Around 2 years warranty left
Cons
Slower
No AWD
Not as much ultimate range
Not got the premium sound system
LFP does not like the cold
Will I regret a SR+? I think ultimate range is not an issue for me.
But performance.... its a while since I have had a "slow" car.
I do drive NSL roads quite a bit in the early hours and do enjoy a bit of "progress".
The other issue is I drive these roads in all weathers and I have had AWD for years for this reason.
I am likely to keep this for at least 4-5 years I would have thought.
Head says LFP, heart says LR?
If you're in the market for a 2022 RWD, I'm sure you'll get a Heated Steering Wheel and Heated Rear Seats. Plus, I think an aftermarket plug and play wiring loom accessory will wake up the Premium Sound speakers. I'm sure that every Model 3 is fitted with the Premium Sound speakers, they just need to be connected with the wiring loom accessory. Others on here might have done this so they can confirm if what in saying is true.
With regard to LR's being AWD. Be aware that Tesla did introduce a RWD only LR to the market. I think it was introduced for fleet buyers but you never know what's come onto the used market so check carefully before you commit.
And, fitting winter tyres on a RWD will be just fine for winter. There is a 'slip' function that can be used temporarily when conditions get tricky. I've never had cause to use mine and get some proper snow where I live (not in the UK). I've passed trucks stuck on rural roads (on hills) covered in snow and even left a 4WD Audi once (also fitted with winter tyres because they're compulsory by law in winter where I live).
Remember that being able to charge the LFP battery is an added bonus too. And I have no issues with the battery in very cold weather.
I have had both a 2020 SR+ and then a 2023 RWD (LFP battery).
They're great cars and have good overtaking punch. Having spent a few days in a LR, the performance benefits are <30mph and then above 80mph. Between those speeds there's actually very little in it.
The LFP battery is brilliant. Easy >250 miles in summer and 200 miles in winter. Plus charging to 100% just makes life easier and more worry-free.
The LR is touted as the best Model 3, and as a median it likely is, however IMO I'd either get a RWD as it's a great car, or go the whole hog and get a Performance to maximise the potential of the Model 3.
Good luck with your search; whatever you get, they're great everyday cars.
They're great cars and have good overtaking punch. Having spent a few days in a LR, the performance benefits are <30mph and then above 80mph. Between those speeds there's actually very little in it.
The LFP battery is brilliant. Easy >250 miles in summer and 200 miles in winter. Plus charging to 100% just makes life easier and more worry-free.
The LR is touted as the best Model 3, and as a median it likely is, however IMO I'd either get a RWD as it's a great car, or go the whole hog and get a Performance to maximise the potential of the Model 3.
Good luck with your search; whatever you get, they're great everyday cars.
ghibbett said:
I have had both a 2020 SR+ and then a 2023 RWD (LFP battery).
They're great cars and have good overtaking punch. Having spent a few days in a LR, the performance benefits are <30mph and then above 80mph. Between those speeds there's actually very little in it.
The LFP battery is brilliant. Easy >250 miles in summer and 200 miles in winter. Plus charging to 100% just makes life easier and more worry-free.
The LR is touted as the best Model 3, and as a median it likely is, however IMO I'd either get a RWD as it's a great car, or go the whole hog and get a Performance to maximise the potential of the Model 3.
Good luck with your search; whatever you get, they're great everyday cars.
Very interesting ghibbett. I've never owned or driven an LR but have assumed that for day-to-day driving there's not much between an LR and RWD. I've owned quite a few quick cars over the years (and a lot of very fast motorbikes) but have never wished for more performance from my Model 3. They're great cars and have good overtaking punch. Having spent a few days in a LR, the performance benefits are <30mph and then above 80mph. Between those speeds there's actually very little in it.
The LFP battery is brilliant. Easy >250 miles in summer and 200 miles in winter. Plus charging to 100% just makes life easier and more worry-free.
The LR is touted as the best Model 3, and as a median it likely is, however IMO I'd either get a RWD as it's a great car, or go the whole hog and get a Performance to maximise the potential of the Model 3.
Good luck with your search; whatever you get, they're great everyday cars.
Interesting to know about the range you're getting. I'm seeing an indicated 262 miles range in Winter (temperatures often get down to -10C or -20C where I live) which actually doesn't change that much in Summer (when temperatures are in the high 20's and sometimes above 30C). In Summer the range might increase to 266 miles. I always charge to 100% and rarely let the battery go below 30%.
I’d say the facelift LR is the pick of the bunch, loads and loads of choice especially if you don’t mind white paint.
The LFP SR has some questionable real world actual range in cold temps if your likely to frequent longer trips at motorway speeds this will be a factor.
Just make sure you don’t buy one without actually going and looking at it, there are some really bad condition ones on the used market that clearly haven’t been cared for and stone chips/missing paint and worn interior trims is a thing if they’re abused.
Lastly, the battery - get it inspected both physically and via the service menu. It may be covered under warranty if the SOH gets really low but they’ll reject claims if it there is an physical damage such as dents or gouges the previous owner may have inflicted with careless driving off road or into debris for example.
I wouldn’t buy any car without checking underneath for physical damage, with an EV it’s very important to see an undamaged battery. Even just sticking the phone on a selfie stick and filming the underside is better than not looking at all.
The LFP SR has some questionable real world actual range in cold temps if your likely to frequent longer trips at motorway speeds this will be a factor.
Just make sure you don’t buy one without actually going and looking at it, there are some really bad condition ones on the used market that clearly haven’t been cared for and stone chips/missing paint and worn interior trims is a thing if they’re abused.
Lastly, the battery - get it inspected both physically and via the service menu. It may be covered under warranty if the SOH gets really low but they’ll reject claims if it there is an physical damage such as dents or gouges the previous owner may have inflicted with careless driving off road or into debris for example.
I wouldn’t buy any car without checking underneath for physical damage, with an EV it’s very important to see an undamaged battery. Even just sticking the phone on a selfie stick and filming the underside is better than not looking at all.
Leptons said:
Absolutely nobody if people used the proper names.
You've obviously got lost on PH. It's easily done so let me help you out by pointing you in the right direction. Here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...
And here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...
But don't mention M3's here either:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...
LivLL said:
Lastly, the battery - get it inspected both physically and via the service menu. It may be covered under warranty if the SOH gets really low but they’ll reject claims if it there is an physical damage such as dents or gouges the previous owner may have inflicted with careless driving off road or into debris for example.
I wouldn’t buy any car without checking underneath for physical damage, with an EV it’s very important to see an undamaged battery. Even just sticking the phone on a selfie stick and filming the underside is better than not looking at all.
Thank you thats very good advice and not something I had thought of.I wouldn’t buy any car without checking underneath for physical damage, with an EV it’s very important to see an undamaged battery. Even just sticking the phone on a selfie stick and filming the underside is better than not looking at all.
Well turning into a bit of a mission to find a decent car at a decent price.
A lot of the lower priced stuff is actually sold. I must have rang 3 or 4 places that told me its already sold.
I rang another 3 or 4 and getting anything from the car is not even on site to the car is currently out on loan.
I found one good private sale but missed it by an hour.
I think anything under 28k is selling. (21 plate LR).
A couple of nice cars up as private sales but they are asking 30k. Its just too much money, I guess I need to play the long game now.
A lot of the lower priced stuff is actually sold. I must have rang 3 or 4 places that told me its already sold.
I rang another 3 or 4 and getting anything from the car is not even on site to the car is currently out on loan.
I found one good private sale but missed it by an hour.
I think anything under 28k is selling. (21 plate LR).
A couple of nice cars up as private sales but they are asking 30k. Its just too much money, I guess I need to play the long game now.
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