M3/M4 vs. Tesla Model 3 Performance

[ZCD1]

The comments about looks amuse me, because "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and all that.

I get compliments on the looks of my car all the time, as I'm sure many BMW owners do as well, so stating that a car is unattractive is sorta pointless...

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by ZCD1

The comments about looks amuse me, because "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and all that.

I get compliments on the looks of my car all the time, as I'm sure many BMW owners do as well, so stating that a car is unattractive is sorta pointless...

I was just being facetious. If you like the way it looks, then that's all that matters in the end.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

If only over the air updates could improve the looks ����

Compared to G20, TM3 looks elegant and gorgeous!

Nose resembles 911 front end, minus extraneous air inlets. The more I look at it, the more I like the air-inlet-free nose!
Profile looks clean and elegant.
Rear is a little bulky for my taste, but creates space for cavernous trunk.

Originally Posted by ZCD1

The comments about looks amuse me, because "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and all that.
I get compliments on the looks of my car all the time, as I'm sure many BMW owners do as well, so stating that a car is unattractive is sorta pointless...

Agreed on the subjectivity of beauty.

Unfortunately, have to disagree to getting any compliments for BMW looks, except when I had the i3.
And those weren't necessarily compliments, but it did get a LOT of attention. M3 is all but invisible around these parts.
BMWs, Audis, and MB's are a dime a dozen in my area, and will get you zero attention or compliments.

I personally like the voluptuous shape of the M3, but few others outside of this forum care to notice.

a

[BLU135i]

So I have been on this forum since 2010...have owned 4 BMW's even though, arguably, only one of those could count as being a "performance" vehicle. My next car purchase will be a Model 3 Performance. This is quite the change for me. After sitting in an E46 M3 at the Seattle Auto show around 2000 or 2001 I knew that an M3 was the ultimate care for me. Loved it. Unfortunately I was a lowly E-nothing at the time in the Navy. I went from a various vehicles ranging from a VW Bug, to a Mustang, to a '69 Ford Bronco, to a GTI. My first BMW was a CPO 330 XI. Loved it. It wasn't overly powerful but it handled the curves better than what I was used to and it was the nicest car I had owned up to that point. Later I owned a 135 that I chipped and modded in various ways that looking back on now, was slightly obnoxious. (ie louder exhaust). We still own an X5 35d, but I now drive a soul eroding Prius that I bought after a deployment when we were transferred and I knew I had a 90 min round trip commute to work each day. That deployment was when the Tesla Model 3 was unveiled and I, like many of you on this forum, thought it was not the best looking car. I kept my dreams of the M3 (I wont call the tesla a M3 because it just isn't right) alive and test drove several of the F80 version. Then I had something weird happened. I got an i3 on an extended test drive for 2 days. I loved the instant torque, albeit its a dog on the highway or any speed past 35-40 for that matter and loved the concept that everyday when I went out to my garage and got in my car the "gas tank" would be full. Now the range was somewhat lacking and wouldn't do for my commute and don't even get me started about the pizza pan tires, so I started looking around at other EV's. What I found is that they all sucked in my opinion. I wanted something with balls off the line and could take a corner without feeling like it was going to fall over. I got a test ride in a friends Model 3 RWD and was hooked. Personally I love the simplicity of the interior and the fact that you look out and all you see is the road in front of you. The torque (even in the RWD) is addicting and the tech is awesome. Over the air updates are an incredible concept, one that I being adapted by the way by other car makers, as is using your phone as a key (see the new BMW 3 series). 250-300 mile range is perfect for me, I never drive more than 150 in a day unless we are traveling and then we will just take the SUV. I realized that BMW is failing when it comes to the future of driving, ie electric vehicles, and they need to wake the hell up. For me the Tesla works, its the best of all the options and I don't feel that I will be compromising. I will not miss the loud exhaust or not being able to get traction like I had in my 01 Mustang. I will not miss going to the gas station. I will not miss being left at the stoplight by some random Camaro. I'm two weeks into retirement from my 26 year Navy career with a job making twice as much (plus retirement pay) and now that I can actually afford to purchase a 80k M3 if I wanted to, the Tesla Model 3 Performance will be my next ride for sure. It is inevitable that this is the future and the fact that I can own a car that is topped off every morning, (from the solar power and battery system in my house no less), and still performs fantastically makes this a very exciting time to be a car driver in my opinion. So I'm ordering a Performance version, black with no AP or FTD. $59,500. Got to love it. I don't track and 0-the speed limit (or slightly past) is the most I'm willing to risk so the whole M3 is faster 60-100 bit doesn't matter to me. Yeah doesn't look as good at the M3, but I cant see its hideous face from behind the wheel, and it doesn't look any different than the base model. For me that's part of what I like. The ultimate sleeper.

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by BLU135i

So I have been on this forum since 2010...have owned 4 BMW's even though, arguably, only one of those could count as being a "performance" vehicle. My next car purchase will be a Model 3 Performance. This is quite the change for me. After sitting in an E46 M3 at the Seattle Auto show around 2000 or 2001 I knew that an M3 was the ultimate care for me. Loved it. Unfortunately I was a lowly E-nothing at the time in the Navy. I went from a various vehicles ranging from a VW Bug, to a Mustang, to a '69 Ford Bronco, to a GTI. My first BMW was a CPO 330 XI. Loved it. It wasn't overly powerful but it handled the curves better than what I was used to and it was the nicest car I had owned up to that point. Later I owned a 135 that I chipped and modded in various ways that looking back on now, was slightly obnoxious. (ie louder exhaust). We still own an X5 35d, but I now drive a soul eroding Prius that I bought after a deployment when we were transferred and I knew I had a 90 min round trip commute to work each day. That deployment was when the Tesla Model 3 was unveiled and I, like many of you on this forum, thought it was not the best looking car. I kept my dreams of the M3 (I wont call the tesla a M3 because it just isn't right) alive and test drove several of the F80 version. Then I had something weird happened. I got an i3 on an extended test drive for 2 days. I loved the instant torque, albeit its a dog on the highway or any speed past 35-40 for that matter and loved the concept that everyday when I went out to my garage and got in my car the "gas tank" would be full. Now the range was somewhat lacking and wouldn't do for my commute and don't even get me started about the pizza pan tires, so I started looking around at other EV's. What I found is that they all sucked in my opinion. I wanted something with balls off the line and could take a corner without feeling like it was going to fall over. I got a test ride in a friends Model 3 RWD and was hooked. Personally I love the simplicity of the interior and the fact that you look out and all you see is the road in front of you. The torque (even in the RWD) is addicting and the tech is awesome. Over the air updates are an incredible concept, one that I being adapted by the way by other car makers, as is using your phone as a key (see the new BMW 3 series). 250-300 mile range is perfect for me, I never drive more than 150 in a day unless we are traveling and then we will just take the SUV. I realized that BMW is failing when it comes to the future of driving, ie electric vehicles, and they need to wake the hell up. For me the Tesla works, its the best of all the options and I don't feel that I will be compromising. I will not miss the loud exhaust or not being able to get traction like I had in my 01 Mustang. I will not miss going to the gas station. I will not miss being left at the stoplight by some random Camaro. I'm two weeks into retirement from my 26 year Navy career with a job making twice as much (plus retirement pay) and now that I can actually afford to purchase a 80k M3 if I wanted to, the Tesla Model 3 Performance will be my next ride for sure. It is inevitable that this is the future and the fact that I can own a car that is topped off every morning, (from the solar power and battery system in my house no less), and still performs fantastically makes this a very exciting time to be a car driver in my opinion. So I'm ordering a Performance version, black with no AP or FTD. $59,500. Got to love it. I don't track and 0-the speed limit (or slightly past) is the most I'm willing to risk so the whole M3 is faster 60-100 bit doesn't matter to me. Yeah doesn't look as good at the M3, but I cant see its hideous face from behind the wheel, and it doesn't look any different than the base model. For me that's part of what I like. The ultimate sleeper.

This is a solid and very valid reason to get the Model 3P. It's perfect for you and I agree that if I was in your position I'd likely do the same.

However, don't expect the same understanding from others on this forum. They all think they are Paul Walker racers and that petrol is life. So just ignore the comments and have fun with your EV. I agree it's an insanely capable and amazing machine.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by BLU135i

So I'm ordering a Performance version, black with no AP or FTD. $59,500. Got to love it. .

Thanks for serving and congrats on the new car. I like the model 3 Perfomance better than my old f80 as a street only car so I think you’ve made a great choice.

My $0.02 would be to try out EAP for a while. It’s an amazing driver aid and has neutralized any ill will I have around my 40mile round trip 30-60minute each way commute.

Once car is on freeway, which is a big part of my commute, the EAP is very solid on this particular stretch of road, and it’s an amazing experience to be able to outsource the crap parts of driving and still have the ability to blast off from low speed and have fun in canyons otherwise.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Compared to G20, TM3 looks elegant and gorgeous!

Nose resembles 911 front end, minus extraneous air inlets. The more I look at it, the more I like the air-inlet-free nose!
Profile looks clean and elegant.
Rear is a little bulky for my taste, but creates space for cavernous trunk.

Agreed on the subjectivity of beauty.

Unfortunately, have to disagree to getting any compliments for BMW looks, except when I had the i3.
And those weren't necessarily compliments, but it did get a LOT of attention. M3 is all but invisible around these parts.
BMWs, Audis, and MB's are a dime a dozen in my area, and will get you zero attention or compliments.

I personally like the voluptuous shape of the M3, but few others outside of this forum care to notice.

a

I have the opposite problem here. There are WAYYYY too many Teslas around here. I'm having to go the extra length to customize my car to stand out a little.

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Thanks for serving and congrats on the new car. I like the model 3 Perfomance better than my old f80 as a street only car so I think you’ve made a great choice.

My $0.02 would be to try out EAP for a while. It’s an amazing driver aid and has neutralized any ill will I have around my 40mile round trip 30-60minute each way commute.

Once car is on freeway, which is a big part of my commute, the EAP is very solid on this particular stretch of road, and it’s an amazing experience to be able to outsource the crap parts of driving and still have the ability to blast off from low speed and have fun in canyons otherwise.

Agreed on EAP. Made commuting in stop and go traffic a breeze. Also Over-The-Air updates are great. Keep getting new features. The latest is a 5% power boost FOR FREE! By my calculation that's ~22hp. I paid $6k for the similar peak hp increase on my R8 (Capristo X-Pipe)

[BLU135i]

Originally Posted by InsanePineapple

Agreed on EAP. Made commuting in stop and go traffic a breeze. Also Over-The-Air updates are great. Keep getting new features. The latest is a 5% power boost FOR FREE! By my calculation that's ~22hp. I paid $6k for the similar peak hp increase on my R8 (Capristo X-Pipe)

That's another thing that I like about the car. If I don't get AP now I can always order it later(albeit at a higher cost) and it will be pushed over the air in a software update. That is amazing. My X5 costs me a fortune if I want to update the maps....

[BLU135i]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

This is a solid and very valid reason to get the Model 3P. It's perfect for you and I agree that if I was in your position I'd likely do the same.

However, don't expect the same understanding from others on this forum. They all think they are Paul Walker racers and that petrol is life. So just ignore the comments and have fun with your EV. I agree it's an insanely capable and amazing machine.

I expect some pushback on the various forums I have been a member of over the years and I have to admit that this isn't what I pictured even 3 years ago. However people love to be confrontational just to be that way. Case in point these idiots blocking Tesla Superchargers with their trucks at various locations. No sense in that whatsoever except to be a jerk. Same with the " rolling coal"crowd. Unbelievably ridiculous.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by InsanePineapple

I have the opposite problem here. There are WAYYYY too many Teslas around here. I'm having to go the extra length to customize my car to stand out a little.

Have you found a CF hood for the model3?

What’s your take on the full coilover options?

Sorry to go off topic

[wdskukm3]

I own an F80 M3 and my wife has the Tesla P3D. Her car definitely feels faster then my car considering the last update gave it another 5% boost in power. However the handling is better in the M3 but the Model 3 is more comfortable to drive. Quality is better in the M3 since the interior of my car is covered in leather and carbon fiber. Her interior is very clean and modern. I love that look. Overall both cars have it's advantages and disadvantages.

I love driving them both. But only with my wife's permission on her P3D ..

[IS350]

Originally Posted by wdskukm3

I own an F80 M3 and my wife has the Tesla P3D. Her car definitely feels faster then my car considering the last update gave it another 5% boost in power. However the handling is better in the M3 but the Model 3 is more comfortable to drive. Quality is better in the M3 since the interior of my car is covered in leather and carbon fiber. Her interior is very clean and modern. I love that look. Overall both cars have it's advantages and disadvantages.

I love driving them both. But only with my wife's permission on her P3D ..

Thanks for sharing.
For daily driving, if you could choose 1, which would it be and why?

[IS350]

Originally Posted by 2011zx10R

Looks like 💩

And I'm not patient enough to wait for this moon car to charge

Looks are subjective, as for the wait on charging, if you plug it in at night, it's inconsequential. Supercharging is very quick if planning on more than 310 miles/day.

[blinkme323]

I was super close to pulling the trigger on an Model 3P before picking up my M3CS. The non-starters for me though were the lack of a gauge cluster / HUD and dearth of model differentiation. That said, I suspect that one or maybe even both of these will be addressed in the mid-cycle refresh in a few years, so it will be interesting to see.

[02M3ForMe]

The Tesla Model 3 Performance is the best daily driver ever made.

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by afadeev

...I personally like the voluptuous shape of the M3, but few others outside of this forum care to notice...

M3s have always been good-looking, well-proportioned, purposeful cars - I've never seen one that I didn't like.

My Model 3P looks good from most angles, but isn't as overt as an M3. That can be good or bad depending on the situation.

Personally, my favorite cars have always been "Sleepers", so the Model 3 suits me perfectly. Few know what it's capable of until I leave them for dead at the stoplight or starting line!

I'm adding some nice wheels and should (finally) get the CF spoiler Tesla owes me soon, so it'll have some subtle distinctions when all is complete.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ZCD1

I'm adding some nice wheels and should (finally) get the CF spoiler Tesla owes me soon, so it'll have some subtle distinctions when all is complete.

When will you get the spoiler?

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

When will you get the spoiler?

I wish I knew for certain...

[Fugly M3]

Originally Posted by ZCD1

I wish I knew for certain...

When you finally get an email from Tesla titled: "SPOILER ALERT!"

[theox05]

Originally Posted by FRAU GRAU

When you finally get an email from Tesla titled: "SPOILER ALERT!"

Well played, sir

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by FRAU GRAU

When you finally get an email from Tesla titled: "SPOILER ALERT!"

LOL!

[Robert]

I thought about a M2/M3 and wanted to visit BMW showroom before buying a Tesla but Tesla rep was able to find me a 2018 Model 3 perf with 14 miles on it for $55k before tax and fee after some negotiations. The car I cross shopped was a 981 Cayman which was ruled out with arrival of my son

I knew Tesla would not sustain on the track. Even though I always want to do track days it just is not realistic I would ever track a 60-70k car regularly, like once a month. Ultimately the decision came down to I absolutely hate the gas line at Costco and having an EV allows me to avoid that madness.