cant see past a M3P - any ideas?

[Mirinjawbro]

Hello all.

current car is a 640d - long term average a measly 38mpg - that's also with 95% normal driving .

looking for something smaller and more practical as i have multiple dings and scratches all over the car from carparks and other scumbags due to the car barely fitting in any spaces - also fancy a change

the M3P is top of the list due to the running costs and performance.

have previously come from many tuned cars so i think going for a 1.2 diesel would instantly make me regret it. this is where the electric running costs come in combined with performance

looking for

2020 onwards
practical
not too big - maybe c class ish size
budget 20-25k

last 5 cars have been coupes as i like the looks .

thanks.

[SWoll]

Had a Model 3 Performance for 2 years back in 2019. My advice would be go for the LR instead as little in it performance wise, cheaper to buy, much better ride quality and doesn't have wheels made out of chocolate.

For similar money you might also want to consider the Polestar 2 dual motor pilot/plus if the EV route appeals.

[Mirinjawbro]

SWoll said:

Had a Model 3 Performance for 2 years back in 2019. My advice would be go for the LR instead as little in it performance wise, cheaper to buy, much better ride quality and doesn't have wheels made out of chocolate.

For similar money you might also want to consider the Polestar 2 dual motor pilot/plus if the EV route appeals.

ive heard that many times. will check it out

thanks

[JD]

SWoll said:

Had a Model 3 Performance for 2 years back in 2019. My advice would be go for the LR instead as little in it performance wise, cheaper to buy, much better ride quality and doesn't have wheels made out of chocolate.

For similar money you might also want to consider the Polestar 2 dual motor pilot/plus if the EV route appeals.

Can you expand on the chocolate wheels thing, do you mean they crack easily? (Been through this with multiple cars previously and gets boring fast)


Is it the same issue on the 21 onwards ones with the turbine wheels?

[DaveTheRave87]

SWoll said:

Had a Model 3 Performance for 2 years back in 2019. My advice would be go for the LR instead as little in it performance wise, cheaper to buy, much better ride quality and doesn't have wheels made out of chocolate.

For similar money you might also want to consider the Polestar 2 dual motor pilot/plus if the EV route appeals.

Use the cost saving between the Performance and Long Range to get the Full Self Drive.

[cerb4.5lee]

Mirinjawbro said:

Hello all.

current car is a 640d - long term average a measly 38mpg - that's also with 95% normal driving .

I personally class 38mpg as good! I'm generally used to thirsty petrol engined cars though(my 370Z is currently showing 22mpg).

I do always like getting the small engined loan cars every now and again, because they generally offer around the 50mpg mark for example, and it makes a pleasant change for me. So I can appreciate why lots of folk like EVs for their cheaper running costs for sure.

[Mirinjawbro]

cerb4.5lee said:

I personally class 38mpg as good! I'm generally used to thirsty petrol engined cars though(my 370Z is currently showing 22mpg).

I do always like getting the small engined loan cars every now and again, because they generally offer around the 50mpg mark for example, and it makes a pleasant change for me. So I can appreciate why lots of folk like EVs for their cheaper running costs for sure.

around £100 to fill up and always 550 ish miles.

not sure people who claim the 435d gets 45-50mpg. with the quattro i cant think it being much lighter

i also come from heavily modded cars so the M3 seems like a good mix.

not sure on the looks still though

[LowTread]

I've had my fair share of BMWs with bigger engines.

E36 328i
E91 330d
E91 325d
E92 325i
E87 130i
F20 M135i (x2)
F87 M2 (OG)

Currently in a Model 3 Long Range, 2019 model.

It's quite BMW-like to drive with the low driving position. I've always had my BMW seating position v low with legs outstretched. And the Model 3 allows for the same position.

The steering wheel is nice and chunky and the steering is very, very pointy. It gives it a sporty feel.

I'd say it's at least as good to drive as an E91 or M135i in terms of chassis and steering. E87's hydraulic steering was great though!

Performance model did interest me, and i do think they look nicer with the lovely grey wheels and red calipers. I really wanted one. However, the wheels do seem to be prone to cracking, and i'd only end up kerbing them.

I tried the Long Range version and was blown away by the performance, even in standard non-boost spec. At that point i couldn't see why i'd go for the performance model over the Long Range given the price (and insurance) difference.

The shove in the back from the Long Range is much harder than the M2 up to about 80-90 mph, and MUCH, MUCH harder up to about 50mph. The overtaking ability when coming across a tractor or lorry is just plain hilarious.

Very happy so far.

Fuel budget has disappeared from my monthly expenditure. I was putting aside £150-£200 per month for fuel. Now i just pay Octopus an extra £20/month.

Kids love the tech too. Netflix while they're in the car when i nip into a shop. Fart noises and karaoke are a big hit with their friends.

Note also that the Long Range model can be specified with a tow bar, which i use for a bike rack. Has to be factory fitted mind. Performance model was never offered with a tow bar option. Worth it if you're into biking, etc.

[Dimebars]

DaveTheRave87 said:

get the Full Self Drive.

Worst advice ever given

FSD (and even EAP features) does not work here

The only folk with FSD are those who want to get into a dick waving competition

[Mirinjawbro]

LowTread said:

I've had my fair share of BMWs with bigger engines.

E36 328i
E91 330d
E91 325d
E92 325i
E87 130i
F20 M135i (x2)
F87 M2 (OG)

Currently in a Model 3 Long Range, 2019 model.

It's quite BMW-like to drive with the low driving position. I've always had my BMW seating position v low with legs outstretched. And the Model 3 allows for the same position.

The steering wheel is nice and chunky and the steering is very, very pointy. It gives it a sporty feel.

I'd say it's at least as good to drive as an E91 or M135i in terms of chassis and steering. E87's hydraulic steering was great though!

Performance model did interest me, and i do think they look nicer with the lovely grey wheels and red calipers. I really wanted one. However, the wheels do seem to be prone to cracking, and i'd only end up kerbing them.

I tried the Long Range version and was blown away by the performance, even in standard non-boost spec. At that point i couldn't see why i'd go for the performance model over the Long Range given the price (and insurance) difference.

The shove in the back from the Long Range is much harder than the M2 up to about 80-90 mph, and MUCH, MUCH harder up to about 50mph. The overtaking ability when coming across a tractor or lorry is just plain hilarious.

Very happy so far.

Fuel budget has disappeared from my monthly expenditure. I was putting aside £150-£200 per month for fuel. Now i just pay Octopus an extra £20/month.

Kids love the tech too. Netflix while they're in the car when i nip into a shop. Fart noises and karaoke are a big hit with their friends.

Note also that the Long Range model can be specified with a tow bar, which i use for a bike rack. Has to be factory fitted mind. Performance model was never offered with a tow bar option. Worth it if you're into biking, etc.

seems too good to be true. i feel like im missing something

[Hammy98]

I'm looking at doing this too.

For me its between an M3P and a Polestar 2 with the Performance Pack.

I'm coming from an M5 so I thought I better get the performance model of either. Plan is to get a fun toy for weekends etc but I think if I went for one of the lower rung tesla/polestars I'd be grabbing the keys to the fun car too often for it to make sense. Need to try both and see!

[DeanoC89]

I’m a M3P owner and I absolutely adore the car. You’re right, for the money they now cost they’re a right bargain considering the battery and motors are warranted for 8 years / 120k, and bar a few minor things like front control arms and dodgy seals, are proper reliable.

Contrary to popular belief, drive one back to back with a LR and it’s night and day from a dig. Not so much once rolling. The extra is worth it for the subtle styling upgrades IMO. NO difference between a LR or RWD/SR so the P is unique in that sense.

They handle great for what they are, and overtaking is comically easy. I’ve also got an M135i and getting in that after the M3P makes it feel like it couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding.

[Indecision]

I recently moved from a P to a LR - performance is noticeably better in the P, and I miss the subtle styling cues, but (IMO) for daily driving the LR is a far better vehicle; much more compliant ride and far greater range (and subtle styling cues aside let’s face it, it’s not a car you turn to look back at when you’ve parked it).

Chocolate wheels - I had one wheel cracked, replacement was £700 from Tesla, and 2 wheels with slight buckles. LR is on 18s I think? I’m hoping they’re stronger!

[Frankychops]

Polestar dual motor?

[SWoll]

JD said:

SWoll said:

Had a Model 3 Performance for 2 years back in 2019. My advice would be go for the LR instead as little in it performance wise, cheaper to buy, much better ride quality and doesn't have wheels made out of chocolate.

For similar money you might also want to consider the Polestar 2 dual motor pilot/plus if the EV route appeals.

Can you expand on the chocolate wheels thing, do you mean they crack easily? (Been through this with multiple cars previously and gets boring fast)


Is it the same issue on the 21 onwards ones with the turbine wheels?

Due to the way they are painted they chip and scrape like no other wheels I've ever had on a car in 30 years. They're also well known for cracking, buckling although I managed to avoid that fortunately.

I believe the Turbine wheels are no better, but haven't got experience of them personally. .

[NickCW]

SWoll said:

Due to the way they are painted they chip and scrape like no other wheels I've ever had on a car in 30 years. They're also well known for cracking, buckling although I managed to avoid that fortunately.

I believe the Turbine wheels are no better, but haven't got experience of them personally. .

Turbine wheels were reinforced over older style Performance wheels, they are 1kg heavier each.

Not heard of problems with them - espicially compared to how common issues with the older rims were. Hopefully that is a good sign.

[JAMSXR]

Just get a long range.

[Mirinjawbro]

JAMSXR said:

Just get a long range.

why?

[ChocolateFrog]

Mirinjawbro said:

seems too good to be true. i feel like im missing something

A bucket load of uninformed EV rhetoric?

[Dsdans]

I’m in a similar position at the moment. The only other cars I’m weighing it up against is the Polestar 2 (which I think I’ve now discounted because meh) and the Model S - which I think seems a bit nicer inside albeit maybe a bit more dated.