M3 LR DM owners - Real world range?

[C70R]

I'm going to buy an M3 to replace our Volvo PHEV shortly, and am tossing up a few alternatives at different price points. The main thing that will drive the decision will be its usage profile.

I regularly travel from rural nowhereshire to London and back, which is a journey of ~250 miles. 150 miles of that is motorway, and the remainder is a mix of 50/60mph A-roads (70 miles) and urban stop/start traffic (30 miles).

I'd ideally like to do that 250-mile round trip without charging as often as possible (sub-zero temps excepted), and I think it's likely doable if I pick the right model.

Favourite so far is an ex-demo LR RWD, which would seem to have the range covered fairly comfortably. However, the significantly cheaper alternative would be a used LR Dual-Motor (2021, with 10-15k miles), which is where I'm unsure from a range PoV. I plan to keep the car 2-3 years, and do about 8k a year.

The LR DM would appear to be this model, and 72KWh feels like it's a bit marginal to be doing that journey without charging, particularly if used. https://ev-database.org/uk/car/1321/Tesla-Model-3-...

Keen to hear from any owners on their experiences. If it's in any way marginal, I'm happy to pony up the extra couple of hundred quid a month for the newer car. If it's doable, then that money can go on trackdays. Thanks!

[tr3a]

I regularly run my Model 3 LR AWD 300 miles into Germany in moderate temps, doing between 120 and 130 km/h on the Autobahn. If I want to arrive with a bit of charge (say at least 20-30%), I need to recharge twice. I don't mind, since I like stretching my legs for a bit every two hours.

[C70R]

tr3a said:

I regularly run my Model 3 LR AWD 300 miles into Germany in moderate temps, doing between 120 and 130 km/h on the Autobahn. If I want to arrive with a bit of charge (say at least 20-30%), I need to recharge twice. I don't mind, since I like stretching my legs for a bit every two hours.

Thanks so much. If I'm reading that right, 300 miles on a single charge in moderate weather is realistic?

[lifeboat22]

250 miles will be tight. 5 mins on a supercharger on the way back would see you right.

my 2019 m3 lr gets 210-215 miles in this cold weather, 65mph all on the motorway

[C70R]

lifeboat22 said:

250 miles will be tight. 5 mins on a supercharger on the way back would see you right.

my 2019 m3 lr gets 210-215 miles in this cold weather, 65mph all on the motorway

This is exactly what I didn't want to hear.

I just feel like adding in a Supercharger visit to every journey would probably make me resent the car a bit.

Do you not think that the slower roads at either end of the journey might help eke out a little more range than your 210?

[JD]

C70R said:

This is exactly what I didn't want to hear.

I just feel like adding in a Supercharger visit to every journey would probably make me resent the car a bit.

Do you not think that the slower roads at either end of the journey might help eke out a little more range than your 210?

It should be noted that a 2021 will be more efficient than a 2019 overall, and in cold weather quite significantly.

Good video here: https://youtu.be/9RYKa9PifJc?t=991

Trying to find decent tests of the unicorn LR RWD is seemingly impossible, but I guess it can only be more efficient (but I wouldn't expect by that much)

[C70R]

JD said:

C70R said:

This is exactly what I didn't want to hear.

I just feel like adding in a Supercharger visit to every journey would probably make me resent the car a bit.

Do you not think that the slower roads at either end of the journey might help eke out a little more range than your 210?

It should be noted that a 2021 will be more efficient than a 2019 overall, and in cold weather quite significantly.

Good video here: https://youtu.be/9RYKa9PifJc?t=991

Trying to find decent tests of the unicorn LR RWD is seemingly impossible, but I guess it can only be more efficient (but I wouldn't expect by that much)

Thanks. The LR RWD WLTP is something ridiculous like 390 miles on a 70-something kWh battery, which feels crazy. That said, I'd expect it to do 250 miles fairly comfortably.

[JD]

C70R said:

Thanks. The LR RWD WLTP is something ridiculous like 390 miles on a 70-something kWh battery, which feels crazy. That said, I'd expect it to do 250 miles fairly comfortably.

Pretty sure the LR RWD would be based on the 79kWh battery

[C70R]

JD said:

C70R said:

Thanks. The LR RWD WLTP is something ridiculous like 390 miles on a 70-something kWh battery, which feels crazy. That said, I'd expect it to do 250 miles fairly comfortably.

Pretty sure the LR RWD would be based on the 79kWh battery

That's the badger. Which makes almost 400 miles seem unbelievable.

Unless I'm wrong, the 2021 LR AWD has the same total capacity, with 72kWh usable.

So in theory, the difference in range between them would be fairly minimal (any hardware or software changes, plus the drag of the extra motor).

Am I doing this right?

[tr3a]

C70R said:

If I'm reading that right, 300 miles on a single charge in moderate weather is realistic?

If you're very careful, don't encounter a headwind and it's dry, it might work.

Realistically, I'd count on at least one recharge underway. Just long enough for a pee and a stretch, which would be wise anyway on a 300 mile run.

[C70R]

tr3a said:

C70R said:

If I'm reading that right, 300 miles on a single charge in moderate weather is realistic?

If you're very careful, don't encounter a headwind and it's dry, it might work.

Realistically, I'd count on at least one recharge underway. Just long enough for a pee and a stretch, which would be wise anyway on a 300 mile run.

So the reality of what I need is to do 2x 125-mile runs without charging.

[lifeboat22]

C70R said:

lifeboat22 said:

250 miles will be tight. 5 mins on a supercharger on the way back would see you right.

my 2019 m3 lr gets 210-215 miles in this cold weather, 65mph all on the motorway

This is exactly what I didn't want to hear.

I just feel like adding in a Supercharger visit to every journey would probably make me resent the car a bit.

Do you not think that the slower roads at either end of the journey might help eke out a little more range than your 210?

Maybe. That's what I thought, but as it happens swinging into a Supercharger for a quick splash and dash doesn't get on my nerves. I usually have a few calls/emails to do. It's better than the risk of running out.

[RobbyJ]

C70R said:

So the reality of what I need is to do 2x 125-mile runs without charging.

It's also worth noting it's not great on the battery having to do 100%-0% a few times a week for a long time. Ideally 90% max daily charge apart from the LFP batteries which aren't in the long range.

Personally I'd rather drive faster or how I want to and stop for a waz and a quick charge when needed (which is exactly what I do).

[C70R]

RobbyJ said:

C70R said:

So the reality of what I need is to do 2x 125-mile runs without charging.

It's also worth noting it's not great on the battery having to do 100%-0% a few times a week for a long time. Ideally 90% max daily charge apart from the LFP batteries which aren't in the long range.

Personally I'd rather drive faster or how I want to and stop for a waz and a quick charge when needed (which is exactly what I do).

It's not going to be a few times a week. This round-trip will probably happen twice a month, and the rest of the usage will be much more 'normal'.

[RobbyJ]

C70R said:

It's not going to be a few times a week. This round-trip will probably happen twice a month, and the rest of the usage will be much more 'normal'.

Then you'll be good. As many have said you may need a quick pit stop in winter, or even in summer if you want to drive quicker.

For me the fuel savings alone are worth the small hassle that comes with the odd public charge when required. I also love the smooth cruiser aspect with a load of stealth performance when required too.

Edited by RobbyJ on Wednesday 24th January 18:30

[C70R]

RobbyJ said:

C70R said:

It's not going to be a few times a week. This round-trip will probably happen twice a month, and the rest of the usage will be much more 'normal'.

Then you'll be good. As many have said you may need a quick pit stop in winter, or even in summer if you want to drive quicker.

For me the fuel savings alone are worth the small hassle that comes with the odd public charge when required. I also love the smooth cruiser aspect with a load of stealth performance when required too.

Thank you, that's reassuring to have my (broad brush) assumptions backed up.

I don't begrudge using public chargers at all, although I'm very much looking forward to charging from solar/battery during the summer months. It's more that the round trip journey to London is enough of a chore already, without needing to factor in a stop. If I can do it without, great. If I can't, I'd probably buy a cheaper new EV with inferior range.

[Zcd1]

C70R said:

Thank you, that's reassuring to have my (broad brush) assumptions backed up.

I don't begrudge using public chargers at all, although I'm very much looking forward to charging from solar/battery during the summer months. It's more that the round trip journey to London is enough of a chore already, without needing to factor in a stop. If I can do it without, great. If I can't, I'd probably buy a cheaper new EV with inferior range.

You should plan needing a charge. If you can’t live with that requirement, then you shouldn’t get an EV for this trip.

[RayDonovan]

I'm thinking of a LR model for my work trip which is 215 miles each way (only once or twice per month)

Usually stop at least twice on each leg so plugging in for 15 mins each time isn't a concern (might get away with plugging in once). Like some of the comments above, I'd rather drive at my preferred speed and top up than do 60mph and eek out every last bit of efficiency

[C70R]

Zcd1 said:

C70R said:

Thank you, that's reassuring to have my (broad brush) assumptions backed up.

I don't begrudge using public chargers at all, although I'm very much looking forward to charging from solar/battery during the summer months. It's more that the round trip journey to London is enough of a chore already, without needing to factor in a stop. If I can do it without, great. If I can't, I'd probably buy a cheaper new EV with inferior range.

You should plan needing a charge. If you can’t live with that requirement, then you shouldn’t get an EV for this trip.

Hang on, others have just said that it should be doable in warm weather without a charge. Which is it?

[Zcd1]

C70R said:

Hang on, others have just said that it should be doable in warm weather without a charge. Which is it?

Yours case is very borderline.

The base RWD SR+ is unlikely to be capable of the trip without charging.

The RWD model MIGHT be capable of it, but I personally wouldn’t buy one of those regardless.

The RWD DM model also might complete the trip without charging, but it also might not.

Better to plan needing a charge and being pleasantly surprised if you don’t than expecting not to and being hacked off if/when you do!