M3/M4 vs. Tesla Model 3 Performance

[Kief]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

I do but every time I schedule it they sell the car im supposed to take. These performance cars are not staying in their inventory very long at all. Btw they normally only give overnight test drives during the week but my rep is pulling strings to get me one over the weekend.

Originally Posted by nicknaz

why are you renting from Turo? I thought had an extended test drive at home, like Kief posted about a while ago?

Yeah, I was able to get an extended 3-day test drive over a weekend with Tesla. Ultimately however, I didn't pull the trigger with last month/quarter push, primarily due to build quality. Honestly, there are many strengths about the car (performance, tech, range, completely different driving exp), but for me, I just don't think I would be happy with the build quality. It was telling last month, when a relatively local dealer had the exact spec I would order available for immediate deliver, with "incentives," and yet I still didn't make the move . But I will certainly look into it again. I highly doubt with all these upcoming EV options in the next year or so, that they will match the performance of the M3P (it probably will improve in fact), at this price point, so it will be telling if I ever get over my concerns about quality.

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by Kief

Yeah, I was able to get an extended 3-day test drive over a weekend with Tesla. Ultimately however, I didn't pull the trigger with last month/quarter push, primarily due to build quality. Honestly, there are many strengths about the car (performance, tech, range, completely different driving exp), but for me, I just don't think I would be happy with the build quality. It was telling last month, when a relatively local dealer had the exact spec I would order available for immediate deliver, with "incentives," and yet I still didn't make the move . But I will certainly look into it again. I highly doubt with all these upcoming EV options in the next year or so, that they will match the performance of the M3P (it probably will improve in fact), at this price point, so it will be telling if I ever get over my concerns about quality.

What exactly did you have issues with quality wise?

[Kief]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

What exactly did you have issues with quality wise?

Similar to what others have commented here and elsewhere, fit/finish, gaps, quality of materials, craftsmanship. The M3P is relatively expensive IMO.
Another issue I had with the M3P, was it didn't have "the park it and turn around effect" like I get with my current M3CS and X5M.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Kief

Similar to what others have commented here and elsewhere, fit/finish, gaps, quality of materials, craftsmanship. The M3P is relatively expensive IMO.
Another issue I had with the M3P, was it didn't have "the park it and turn around effect" like I get with my current M3CS and X5M.

Btw, Kief, I get what you are saying the fender flares of f80 are so great and I always looked back at those (and the Cf roof)

These days “turn around effect” is there for me because I want to make sure that the car has recognized I walked away from it. Lol! (Maybe it’s a strategy to get owners to repetitively look at the car and get used to it)

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by Kief

...it didn't have "the park it and turn around effect" like I get with my current M3CS and X5M.

Just as with your current rides, the right set of wheels (aftermarket, in Tesla's case) make all the difference...

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Kief

Similar to what others have commented here and elsewhere, fit/finish, gaps, quality of materials, craftsmanship. The M3P is relatively expensive IMO.

Agree on interior luxuriousness lacking in Tesla's in general, and TM3 in particular.
I haven't noticed exterior fit/finish issues, but that maybe because mine is a Q1'19 build, by which point they had ironed out production issues.
I don't mind the center screen (prefer it now, actually), but the lack of leather, and driver's seat not being as "hugging" as that in ///M3, are all true.

Originally Posted by Kief

Another issue I had with the M3P, was it didn't have "the park it and turn around effect" like I get with my current M3CS and X5M.

Totally disagree here.
In the 5 years of F80 ownership, I only got rare "turn around" treatment from a few teenage boys. That's about it.

With the Tesla, about 10% of parking lot encounters produce a "turn around" effect from strangers, and more than a few strike a conversation to talk about the car.

Teslas generate FAR more attention that BMWs.
By a huge margin.
This may be a passing thing, as there are now almost as many Teslas' around my neck of the woods as there are Audis, Mercs, and BMWs. But for now, it's very real.

Also, kids think Tesla is way cooler than the ///M3, and beg for me to pick them up from school in (the relatively boring looking) TM3.

YMMV,
a

[Kief]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Totally disagree here.
In the 5 years of F80 ownership, I only got "turn around" treatment from a few teenage boys. That's about it.

With the Tesla, on the other hand, about 10% of parking lot encounters produce a "turn around" from strangers, and more than a few strike a conversation.

Tesla's generate FAR more attention that BMWs. By a huge margin.
This may be a passing thing, as there are almost as many Tesla's around my neck of the woods as there are Audis, Mercs, and BMWs. But for now, it's very real.

Also, kids think Tesla is way cooler than the ///M3, and beg for me to pick them up from school in (the relatively boring looking) TM3.

YMMV,
a

LOL...I wasn't referring to other people turning around and looking/asking me about the car, but whether I will turn around and look back!

I don't like to garner too much attention with my cars, my previous 2 Jag F-Type Coupe Rs were enough! I'll never forget the guy at 3:30 in the morning follow me to the gym (yes, I workout at that time) and he wanted to have a conversation about my car!

[doberzus]

2+ weeks with my M3P. I LOVE this thing. I got mine mostly wrapped in PPF and besides some minor panel gaps, and some “orange peel”. The car is flawless (I fully inspected prior to taking delivery).

Interior has some pretty high quality materials and feels just fine to me. I even think the electric motor whirring sounds are badass. The attention?! My white on white M3P gets tons of it!

The pull never gets old. It literally slams your head against the headrest, HARD. It makes my new X3M Comp feel slow. Not even joking. It makes most cars feel slow to me. I kind hate that

There was a time I hated the Model 3 and its threat to stop ICE cars in its tracks. Although, I still wouldn’t own two electric cars as my only car.

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by doberzus

2+ weeks with my M3P. I LOVE this thing. I got mine mostly wrapped in PPF and besides some minor panel gaps, and some “orange peel”. The car is flawless (I fully inspected prior to taking delivery).

Interior has some pretty high quality materials and feels just fine to me. I even think the electric motor whirring sounds are badass. The attention?! My white on white M3P gets tons of it!

The pull never gets old. It literally slams your head against the headrest, HARD. It makes my new X3M Comp feel slow. Not even joking. It makes most cars feel slow to me. I kind hate that

There was a time I hated the Model 3 and its threat to stop ICE cars in its tracks. Although, I still wouldn’t own two electric cars as my only car.

Sold! Anyone have white interior?

[turboawdfanatic]

Nice to see some people giving the model 3 performance a fair shake. I’ve grown up driving manuals for the past 25yrs....first car was a 4spd 75 stingray. When it was time to move on from my 6spd N54...I had my mind set on getting an M3. But my wife nixed my plan of having a winter beater and an M3. So my next car had to be awd due to my job. I never got to test drive the Performance model 3 and I hesitantly placed an order when they started opening orders for it. I also wasn’t completely sold on the looks and center screen. M3 is is better looking car, but I also knew I’d mod the model 3.

I’ve had it for just over a year now. Hands down it’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned. Not gonna re-iterate what’s already been mentioned about the acceleration. IMO it handles just as well as my e90 with the sports package did, but also absorbs harsher impacts better. I’ve even taken it on a 1800 mile road trip with a family of 4. Did each 900mile leg straight. Most of the time it was done charging before we finished eating or using the restroom. I did the same trip in my E90 a couple years ago and didn’t feel as tired at the end of the trip driving the Tesla...even though it took longer.

Anyway here’s a pic of my old e90 and performance model 3.

[jzhu625]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

Congrats . Which Model 3 did you purchase?

just dual motors with 19" and white interior. didn't get the +.

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by turboawdfanatic

...I’ve had it for just over a year now. Hands down it’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned.

Both great-looking rides, and ditto!

[Kief]

turboawdfanatic M3P wheel specs please?

[Kief]

Did any of you consider the Model S Performance, or is too much of a boat, and assuming money wasn't the barrier? Maybe my concerns about the M3P interior, and build quality, wouldn't be shared with the MSP? I never drove one, but have been told the air suspension makes it more an autobahn bomber than a tight handling M3P contender. I do find the MSP to be more attractive than the M3P, and it has a hatch which would suit our utility needs better.

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by Kief

Did any of you consider the Model S Performance, or is too much of a boat, and assuming money wasn't the barrier? Maybe my concerns about the M3P interior, and build quality, wouldn't be shared with the MSP? I never drove one, but have been told the air suspension makes it more an autobahn bomber than a tight handling M3P contender. I do find the MSP to be more attractive than the M3P, and it has a hatch which would suit our utility needs better.

Model S interior is insanely better. Fit finish and design just blow the model 3 away in my option. However Price aside its just a large car and not nimble enough to take the place of my M3. However I did drive a Model x p100d and loved it. I would choose that car over the others but that monthly payment was extremely steep.

Originally Posted by turboawdfanatic

Nice to see some people giving the model 3 performance a fair shake. I’ve grown up driving manuals for the past 25yrs....first car was a 4spd 75 stingray. When it was time to move on from my 6spd N54...I had my mind set on getting an M3. But my wife nixed my plan of having a winter beater and an M3. So my next car had to be awd due to my job. I never got to test drive the Performance model 3 and I hesitantly placed an order when they started opening orders for it. I also wasn’t completely sold on the looks and center screen. M3 is is better looking car, but I also knew I’d mod the model 3.

I’ve had it for just over a year now. Hands down it’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned. Not gonna re-iterate what’s already been mentioned about the acceleration. IMO it handles just as well as my e90 with the sports package did, but also absorbs harsher impacts better. I’ve even taken it on a 1800 mile road trip with a family of 4. Did each 900mile leg straight. Most of the time it was done charging before we finished eating or using the restroom. I did the same trip in my E90 a couple years ago and didn’t feel as tired at the end of the trip driving the Tesla...even though it took longer.

Anyway here’s a pic of my old e90 and performance model 3.

Thats one of the cleanest model 3's iver seen. I wish I could take care of a black car

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Kief

Did any of you consider the Model S Performance, or is too much of a boat, and assuming money wasn't the barrier? Maybe my concerns about the M3P interior, and build quality, wouldn't be shared with the MSP? I never drove one, but have been told the air suspension makes it more an autobahn bomber than a tight handling M3P contender. I do find the MSP to be more attractive than the M3P, and it has a hatch which would suit our utility needs better.

If I could have gotten new p100dl model S for same price as m3p I’d probably go for it. I do like the 127mph trap speed.

But if it’s 75d (slow) for same price as model 3P, then it’s a hard pass

I considered the original roadster seriously, but apparently it’s a bit too much of a “science project” and it can’t be DC fast charged so you are limited in terms of road trips

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by Kief

Did any of you consider the Model S Performance, or is too much of a boat, and assuming money wasn't the barrier? Maybe my concerns about the M3P interior, and build quality, wouldn't be shared with the MSP? I never drove one, but have been told the air suspension makes it more an autobahn bomber than a tight handling M3P contender. I do find the MSP to be more attractive than the M3P, and it has a hatch which would suit our utility needs better.

I considered a pre-owned Model S P85D, which was about the same price as the Model 3 Performance when I was in the market.

It would have been slightly quicker, but nothing like as much fun to drive, and though some have said the interior quality is better, I think it's actually worse in many ways.

I prefer the quicker charging, better tech and longer range of the Model 3 compared to the P85D.

If what you value is smoothness and quietness and the overall drive quality isn't as important, AND if the fact that a P100D is nearly double the price doesn't bother you, then a Model S might be better for you.

[SPACEMANRICK]

If anyone is interested here is my thread on another forum of my journey from my 2016 M3 to my new 2019 Tesla model 3 performance. It was a quick 1 week process from my first test drive to me trading in my M3 and picking up my Tesla model 3.

If anyone is interested in the Vancouver area my four 437 M wheels in brand new condition and four Michelin Pilot 4S tires with 95% tread are for sale for $2,800 Canadian :-)

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/going...ckage-2314021/

[qba335i]

I live in a condo building with no chargers. How inconvenient would it be to have a Tesla and rely on superchargers? I have a ~70W supercharger stations around my house (2-3min drive). I drive maybe 200-300 miles a month on average.

[doberzus]

A few more impressions I thought I'd share on my M3P that isn't related to how hard this thing pulls.

I notice I tend to be a more aware driver and I am way more calm behind the wheel. What I mean by that, is I feel less "road rage" and overall less aggressive of a driver because of it. Not sure if it's because it's quiet and unassuming. I love it, though! Makes my drives way less anxious.

Which brings me to my next point of never really wanting to "test it out" and doing pulls every chance I get. With every new car I've owned, I've wanted to practice launching, see what gear feels better, what mode, etc, etc. With the M3P the power and acceleration is always there. No downshifting, no "being in the right gear", no LC to activate. I feel more cocky, like I can pretty much shoot any gap and overtake anyone whenever I damn well please. Which in turn makes me a more calm driver. This is good and bad IMO.

Also, with my BMW's, Audi's and Muscle cars I noticed drivers around me would always get "butthurt" and go out of there way to either cut me off, race, and overall exhibit more road rage-like symptoms. The Tesla does no such thing.

I also find little quirks about it almost daily that always pleasantly surprise me.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by qba335i

I live in a condo building with no chargers. How inconvenient would it be to have a Tesla and rely on superchargers? I have a ~70W supercharger stations around my house (2-3min drive). I drive maybe 200-300 miles a month on average.

You'd only need to charge once or twice a month then.

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by NUTScapes

You'd only need to charge once or twice a month then.

Yep.

On other thing to mention: in winter months there can be some battery drain related to the car's systems keeping the battery from getting too cold. The smartphone app shows the car's state of charge at any given time, so staying on top of this wouldn't be a big deal at all.