Tesla Model 3 Long range Vs Performance hardware differences
Discussion
Is there really any difference in the model 3 long range vs performance on a hardware level?
Performance wise the ‘performance’ accelerates a bit faster and has a slightly higher top speed, but other than some red paint on the brake calipers and some slightly bigger alloy wheels, do you get anything for your money?
Used prices don’t seem to be massively different when I had a very quick look.
Performance wise the ‘performance’ accelerates a bit faster and has a slightly higher top speed, but other than some red paint on the brake calipers and some slightly bigger alloy wheels, do you get anything for your money?
Used prices don’t seem to be massively different when I had a very quick look.
Short answer is Yes. Munro Live on youtube is a good resource if you want to get into Tesla hardware, they do a lot of Tesla teardowns. I remember watching a video on the differences, one of them, can’t remember the name of the component, it’s the thing that draws power from the battery and feeds current to the motor, that is much higher capacity on the Performance vs Long Range.
Tesla, iterate so quickly, the hardware and construction methods on the same model is often not the same between different years. So really you want to get the newest possible car you can get your hands on.
I personally wouldn’t touch an early build Tesla. They are basically engineering prototypes that larger manufacturers would have crushed, after shaking down their production lines. The Munro Live teardowns are really informative in this regard.
Tesla, iterate so quickly, the hardware and construction methods on the same model is often not the same between different years. So really you want to get the newest possible car you can get your hands on.
I personally wouldn’t touch an early build Tesla. They are basically engineering prototypes that larger manufacturers would have crushed, after shaking down their production lines. The Munro Live teardowns are really informative in this regard.
Edited by wyson on Tuesday 25th July 20:35
/Thanks both, interesting.
wyson said:
I personally wouldn’t touch an early build Tesla. They are basically engineering prototypes that larger manufacturers would have crushed, after shaking down their production lines. The Munro Live teardowns are really informative in this regard.
What does "early build" count as when it comes to the model 3? First year of production?[quote=(steven)]
What does "early build" count as when it comes to the model 3? First year of production?
[/quote]
The early Fremont builds specifically, but even then some will be perfectly fine. The Shanghai models (late 2020/early 21) were after the refresh and gain a lot of improvements.
What does "early build" count as when it comes to the model 3? First year of production?
[/quote]
The early Fremont builds specifically, but even then some will be perfectly fine. The Shanghai models (late 2020/early 21) were after the refresh and gain a lot of improvements.
Different rear motor
Different brake manufacturer
Higher max current inverter
Suspension is meant to be difference but some are less convinced
The battery pack has been different in the past, but since the beginning of 2022 the LR and P get the same BT43 battery
When the difference was 10k, it was hard to justify the P over the LR as you could add Acceleration Boost (AB) for £1500 giving virtually the same performance, especially once above 20mph, and have wheels which were more forgiving on U.K. roads. Now the gap is much closer, if you are going to buy AB, and upgrade the wheels, you may as well get the P.
Different brake manufacturer
Higher max current inverter
Suspension is meant to be difference but some are less convinced
The battery pack has been different in the past, but since the beginning of 2022 the LR and P get the same BT43 battery
When the difference was 10k, it was hard to justify the P over the LR as you could add Acceleration Boost (AB) for £1500 giving virtually the same performance, especially once above 20mph, and have wheels which were more forgiving on U.K. roads. Now the gap is much closer, if you are going to buy AB, and upgrade the wheels, you may as well get the P.
Heres Johnny said:
When the difference was 10k, it was hard to justify the P over the LR as you could add Acceleration Boost (AB) for £1500 giving virtually the same performance, especially once above 20mph, and have wheels which were more forgiving on U.K. roads. Now the gap is much closer, if you are going to buy AB, and upgrade the wheels, you may as well get the P.
Thanks. I can't see myself buying the performance for the 0-60 stats, it's more about if there is a handling or enjoyment benefit. I don't see the point in sub 4 second 0-60 for a road car. After the initial "watch this" moment, its never going to get used. I am just trying to work out if there is more "everyday enjoyment" to be had by buying the performance model.
None of the reviews I've seen really mention it, just too focused on the tech and the acceleration. If it is just wheels and more acceleration, I will probably give it a miss.
Edited by (steven) on Thursday 27th July 19:24
[quote=(steven)]
Thanks. I can't see myself buying the performance for the 0-60 stats, it's more about if there is a handling or enjoyment benefit.
I don't see the point in sub 4 second 0-60 for a road car. After the initial "watch this" moment, its never going to get used. I am just trying to work out if there is more "everyday enjoyment" to be had by buying the performance model.
None of the reviews I've seen really mention it, just too focused on the tech and the acceleration. If it is just wheels and more acceleration, I will probably give it a miss.
[/quote]
Some P owners swear they can tell the difference, but how much of that is confirmation bias, how much is lower profile tyres and how much as actually better suspension.. I’d say there’s a lot of the first two. They certainly don’t have an approach like BMW etc where they provide updated anti roll bars or dynamic chassis control, if there’s a difference in the actual suspension it’s a slightly lower ride height and maybe slightly different spring rates.
Thanks. I can't see myself buying the performance for the 0-60 stats, it's more about if there is a handling or enjoyment benefit.
I don't see the point in sub 4 second 0-60 for a road car. After the initial "watch this" moment, its never going to get used. I am just trying to work out if there is more "everyday enjoyment" to be had by buying the performance model.
None of the reviews I've seen really mention it, just too focused on the tech and the acceleration. If it is just wheels and more acceleration, I will probably give it a miss.
Edited by (steven) on Thursday 27th July 19:24
[/quote]
Some P owners swear they can tell the difference, but how much of that is confirmation bias, how much is lower profile tyres and how much as actually better suspension.. I’d say there’s a lot of the first two. They certainly don’t have an approach like BMW etc where they provide updated anti roll bars or dynamic chassis control, if there’s a difference in the actual suspension it’s a slightly lower ride height and maybe slightly different spring rates.
[quote=(steven)]
Thanks. I can't see myself buying the performance for the 0-60 stats, it's more about if there is a handling or enjoyment benefit.
I don't see the point in sub 4 second 0-60 for a road car. After the initial "watch this" moment, its never going to get used. I am just trying to work out if there is more "everyday enjoyment" to be had by buying the performance model.
None of the reviews I've seen really mention it, just too focused on the tech and the acceleration. If it is just wheels and more acceleration, I will probably give it a miss.
[/quote]
I've owned 2 Model 3 Performance, 2018 and 2022, and have driven (rentals) multiple Model 3 LRs. The P has a lower suspension, much better (BREMBO) brakes and higher-performance brake pads, and more power , plus of course the aforementioned wheels and tires. There's ZERO question that the P both handles and brakes better, and the real-world acceleration (below about 100 mph) is substantially quicker.
If none of that matters to you, get the LR.
Thanks. I can't see myself buying the performance for the 0-60 stats, it's more about if there is a handling or enjoyment benefit.
I don't see the point in sub 4 second 0-60 for a road car. After the initial "watch this" moment, its never going to get used. I am just trying to work out if there is more "everyday enjoyment" to be had by buying the performance model.
None of the reviews I've seen really mention it, just too focused on the tech and the acceleration. If it is just wheels and more acceleration, I will probably give it a miss.
[/quote]
I've owned 2 Model 3 Performance, 2018 and 2022, and have driven (rentals) multiple Model 3 LRs. The P has a lower suspension, much better (BREMBO) brakes and higher-performance brake pads, and more power , plus of course the aforementioned wheels and tires. There's ZERO question that the P both handles and brakes better, and the real-world acceleration (below about 100 mph) is substantially quicker.
If none of that matters to you, get the LR.
Edited by Zcd1 on Friday 28th July 20:26
Zcd1 said:
...and the real-world acceleration (below about 100 mph) is substantially quicker.
And yet all the videos I've seen with the cars side by side shows virtually no difference in acceleration, maybe 1 - 2 cars length gap over a quarter milehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htGXA4McmGU&t=...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bn3tUSNhrQ
Edited by Heres Johnny on Saturday 29th July 11:00
In actual controlled test conditions, the P is 0.6-0.8 seconds quicker to 60mph and through the 1/4 mile, which is 6+ car lengths at the 1/4 mile.
It also brakes much better, shaving 20+ feet in stopping distance from 70 mph. vs. the LR.
P’S Lateral grip is about 0.1G better too, and the better tires dramatically improve steering response.
It also brakes much better, shaving 20+ feet in stopping distance from 70 mph. vs. the LR.
P’S Lateral grip is about 0.1G better too, and the better tires dramatically improve steering response.
My brother has a 2021 Long Range and I have a 2020 Performance. I’m pretty sure the suspension is exactly the same.
Brakes are a little better on my Performance, but that’s not really saying much.
The Performance is less comfortable due to the 20 inch wheels.
Once above 30mph, the Performance isn’t any quicker.
If I was having my time again, I’d save the money and get a Long Range.
Brakes are a little better on my Performance, but that’s not really saying much.
The Performance is less comfortable due to the 20 inch wheels.
Once above 30mph, the Performance isn’t any quicker.
If I was having my time again, I’d save the money and get a Long Range.
There are unpublicised changes to the suspension even between some quarters, not massive but noticeable. Generally the later the model, the more composed it is.
You can watch all the videos in the world, but if you drive the P and LR back to back, the P is "on it" instantly at every increment in real world driving, the LR doesnt match this.
You can add the acceleration boost to the LR for £1500, but you can't add the track mode.
You can watch all the videos in the world, but if you drive the P and LR back to back, the P is "on it" instantly at every increment in real world driving, the LR doesnt match this.
You can add the acceleration boost to the LR for £1500, but you can't add the track mode.
Just watched a vid on the new model 3, the indicator stalks have gone and there is a switch on the steering wheel.
So, you indicate right to turn right say on a tight roundabout, then want to turn left, you have to faff about finding the button as it’s moved position with the steering wheel, seems odd to me.
https://youtu.be/gQ6zIHHMlSs?si=kAmcNwohxCnDZlmG
So, you indicate right to turn right say on a tight roundabout, then want to turn left, you have to faff about finding the button as it’s moved position with the steering wheel, seems odd to me.
https://youtu.be/gQ6zIHHMlSs?si=kAmcNwohxCnDZlmG
Edited by Vipers on Friday 1st September 10:49
Just momentarily, of course, but I'm presuming the delay with the Highland version of it is a good thing and means more substantial changes. Maybe even a Plaid?![quote=(steven)]
Thanks. I can't see myself buying the performance for the 0-60 stats, it's more about if there is a handling or enjoyment benefit.
I don't see the point in sub 4 second 0-60 for a road car. After the initial "watch this" moment, its never going to get used. I am just trying to work out if there is more "everyday enjoyment" to be had by buying the performance model.
None of the reviews I've seen really mention it, just too focused on the tech and the acceleration. If it is just wheels and more acceleration, I will probably give it a miss.
[/quote]
Larger and better Brembo brakes on P model which actually beat the £100k 992 Carrera S when tested. Suspension is also different (double wish bone with multi links which are normally equipped on a lot more expensive sports cars). Acceleration and all the power is very usable on public road as you don't need to rev out all the way to red line to access power like in ICE car.
Thanks. I can't see myself buying the performance for the 0-60 stats, it's more about if there is a handling or enjoyment benefit.
I don't see the point in sub 4 second 0-60 for a road car. After the initial "watch this" moment, its never going to get used. I am just trying to work out if there is more "everyday enjoyment" to be had by buying the performance model.
None of the reviews I've seen really mention it, just too focused on the tech and the acceleration. If it is just wheels and more acceleration, I will probably give it a miss.
Edited by (steven) on Thursday 27th July 19:24
[/quote]
Larger and better Brembo brakes on P model which actually beat the £100k 992 Carrera S when tested. Suspension is also different (double wish bone with multi links which are normally equipped on a lot more expensive sports cars). Acceleration and all the power is very usable on public road as you don't need to rev out all the way to red line to access power like in ICE car.
BA51C_EV said:
Larger and better Brembo brakes on P model which actually beat the £100k 992 Carrera S when tested. Suspension is also different (double wish bone with multi links which are normally equipped on a lot more expensive sports cars). Acceleration and all the power is very usable on public road as you don't need to rev out all the way to red line to access power like in ICE car.
Just want to clarify that Brembo brakes are used on all Model 3's. The Performance model just has bigger discs/calipers on the front.The double wishbone and multi-link suspension set up is essentially the same throughout the Model 3 range. The difference on the Performance model is that it's a little bit lower and slightly stiffer.
CharlieAlphaMike said:
The double wishbone and multi-link suspension set up is essentially the same throughout the Model 3 range. The difference on the Performance model is that it's a little bit lower and slightly stiffer.
Only the early cars have lowering springs, with the early facelift they changed them to the same springs as the LR.Gassing Station | Tesla | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff