Tesla Model 3 - Road noise
Discussion
Went for a test drive in an SR+ yesterday, have to say, expected more.
Drivetrain felt mostly good, some tuning issues with interactions with the brakes and occasional low speed throttle confusion. Enough power, I want a daily, not a performance car.
Interior, not terrible, don't mind the layout, but the steering wheel material is awful, feels like a cheap east Asian car from the '90s with supposed leather steering wheel, I know it's that vegan stuff, but I just don't get on with it.
Suspension, it is way over sprung, at least 5lbs per corner, many reviewers state damping, which I felt was adequate, it didn't crash, but you're getting suspension jitter after sharp bumps.
They do it this way as it makes it easier to tune the stability control, but it seriously affects NVH and ride.
Steering, something is wrong with the rack, the pinion itself is fine (could be better), but the ballscrew is notching in over centre and it feels like they are compensating for something in either rubberised track rod ends or tie rods, plus maybe multiple joints in the column attachment. Lead to the lack of feel. It's not over assisted, but the rack ratio is probably a bit too quick for a road car.
But the real bug bear was road noise, round town sub 40 or 50 mph was fine, but at motorway speeds it became unbearable. As I want the car for a relatively long motorway commute, this is unacceptable to me.
I didn't measure it, but I turned the stereo off in my Audi on the way back and it is noticibly quieter.
This appears to be a common issue, usually related to assembly defects, but possibly design issues due to lack of gap coverage, especially around the roof joins.
The quietness of the car at low speed probably doesn't help.
The spring rates I mentioned above won't help with the NVH, softer springs and a stiffer ARB may help. The car was on 19s so the 18's may also help.
I don't hate the car, I'm not anti Tesla, I was really looking forward to the test drive and hoping my expectations were met in preparation for a purchase, but it's not good enough.
I'd quite happily trade some of the performance and features for better NVH.
Was curious about others experiences?
Drivetrain felt mostly good, some tuning issues with interactions with the brakes and occasional low speed throttle confusion. Enough power, I want a daily, not a performance car.
Interior, not terrible, don't mind the layout, but the steering wheel material is awful, feels like a cheap east Asian car from the '90s with supposed leather steering wheel, I know it's that vegan stuff, but I just don't get on with it.
Suspension, it is way over sprung, at least 5lbs per corner, many reviewers state damping, which I felt was adequate, it didn't crash, but you're getting suspension jitter after sharp bumps.
They do it this way as it makes it easier to tune the stability control, but it seriously affects NVH and ride.
Steering, something is wrong with the rack, the pinion itself is fine (could be better), but the ballscrew is notching in over centre and it feels like they are compensating for something in either rubberised track rod ends or tie rods, plus maybe multiple joints in the column attachment. Lead to the lack of feel. It's not over assisted, but the rack ratio is probably a bit too quick for a road car.
But the real bug bear was road noise, round town sub 40 or 50 mph was fine, but at motorway speeds it became unbearable. As I want the car for a relatively long motorway commute, this is unacceptable to me.
I didn't measure it, but I turned the stereo off in my Audi on the way back and it is noticibly quieter.
This appears to be a common issue, usually related to assembly defects, but possibly design issues due to lack of gap coverage, especially around the roof joins.
The quietness of the car at low speed probably doesn't help.
The spring rates I mentioned above won't help with the NVH, softer springs and a stiffer ARB may help. The car was on 19s so the 18's may also help.
I don't hate the car, I'm not anti Tesla, I was really looking forward to the test drive and hoping my expectations were met in preparation for a purchase, but it's not good enough.
I'd quite happily trade some of the performance and features for better NVH.
Was curious about others experiences?
Yes, I would say the same. Suspension, road noise and steering wheel are the main faults.
Road noise on motorways is so bad, I give serious consideration to twisty roads over motorway when planning. I read they fixed this with double glazing and insulation, but clearly not.
On the other hand, on those rare occasions you find a recently resurfaced road, at 50 or below, there is something appealing about the eery quiet and I like hearing the road noise with no engine sound to mask. But at higher speeds, it's a buzz kill.
Suspension jitter yes, I had service check it out, normal apparently. The air suspension on S is better but still not comfy.
Road noise on motorways is so bad, I give serious consideration to twisty roads over motorway when planning. I read they fixed this with double glazing and insulation, but clearly not.
On the other hand, on those rare occasions you find a recently resurfaced road, at 50 or below, there is something appealing about the eery quiet and I like hearing the road noise with no engine sound to mask. But at higher speeds, it's a buzz kill.
Suspension jitter yes, I had service check it out, normal apparently. The air suspension on S is better but still not comfy.
We've covered 12k miles in ours and whilst I agree about the steering wheel (rim too fat, feels cheap) I can't say the ride or road noise has ever bothered me, and ours has the lower suspension and 20" wheels.
Undoubtedly build quality is highly variable though so maybe we just got lucky?
Undoubtedly build quality is highly variable though so maybe we just got lucky?
I couldn't agree more. I test drove a LR on Saturday and loved it right up to the point I went on the motorway when I thought it was unacceptable. There was a lot of rear end openess and felt like it needed quieter tires or more NVH on the liners. I don't think I could live with it on a long journey. Yes I am driving a Range Rover at the moment which is super refined but I was super disappointed with the M3LR noise on the motor way.
Also agree on the steering wheel, although I felt the rim was too thick and the overall diameter a little small.
Interestingly I test drove a Polestar 2 about an hour after the Model 3. It is a much more refined vehicle, but obviously slightly more expensive, not quite as fast, no interesting and funny software entertainment etc. Overall it is a more mature car from a more mature company but not as entertaining perhaps as a consequence.
Also agree on the steering wheel, although I felt the rim was too thick and the overall diameter a little small.
Interestingly I test drove a Polestar 2 about an hour after the Model 3. It is a much more refined vehicle, but obviously slightly more expensive, not quite as fast, no interesting and funny software entertainment etc. Overall it is a more mature car from a more mature company but not as entertaining perhaps as a consequence.
witten said:
I couldn't agree more. I test drove a LR on Saturday and loved it right up to the point I went on the motorway when I thought it was unacceptable. There was a lot of rear end openess and felt like it needed quieter tires or more NVH on the liners. I don't think I could live with it on a long journey. Yes I am driving a Range Rover at the moment which is super refined but I was super disappointed with the M3LR noise on the motor way.
Also agree on the steering wheel, although I felt the rim was too thick and the overall diameter a little small.
Interestingly I test drove a Polestar 2 about an hour after the Model 3. It is a much more refined vehicle, but obviously slightly more expensive, not quite as fast, no interesting and funny software entertainment etc. Overall it is a more mature car from a more mature company but not as entertaining perhaps as a consequence.
Depends what you want and spec with the Polestar, the base model is slightly cheaper, but slightly slower and less kit. 7 Sec 0-60, is comparable to most premium saloon, suv in the same price bracket. It's not the same as the Tesla, but it's a question of what you want.Also agree on the steering wheel, although I felt the rim was too thick and the overall diameter a little small.
Interestingly I test drove a Polestar 2 about an hour after the Model 3. It is a much more refined vehicle, but obviously slightly more expensive, not quite as fast, no interesting and funny software entertainment etc. Overall it is a more mature car from a more mature company but not as entertaining perhaps as a consequence.
0-60 means nothing 99.99% of the time, what matters is 30-60 and 40-70, these figures are usually hard to come by.
LR equivalent is slightly cheaper with less kit, more with equivalent kit.
Drove an ID3 yesterday, don't like it.
Sat too high, it's in SUV territory. I know some will but it's not for me.
The infotainment is utterly useless.
The steering wheel controls don't do what they're told.
It's got enough power (performance version).
Chassis is ok, not great.
Lane keep assist is annoying as hell, if it's fitted, it's on by default and you have to dig through menus to turn it off. And needs to be turned off for every journey.
Main issue is the brake pedal, the first 20-25% does not touch the mechanical brakes, it's all regen, above 10ish mph, you don't notice, but in stop start traffic you have to really push the pedal to stop, the differential behaviour is dangerous IMO.
The lack of one pedal driving is a serious mistake with this car.
Sat too high, it's in SUV territory. I know some will but it's not for me.
The infotainment is utterly useless.
The steering wheel controls don't do what they're told.
It's got enough power (performance version).
Chassis is ok, not great.
Lane keep assist is annoying as hell, if it's fitted, it's on by default and you have to dig through menus to turn it off. And needs to be turned off for every journey.
Main issue is the brake pedal, the first 20-25% does not touch the mechanical brakes, it's all regen, above 10ish mph, you don't notice, but in stop start traffic you have to really push the pedal to stop, the differential behaviour is dangerous IMO.
The lack of one pedal driving is a serious mistake with this car.
Edited by annodomini2 on Wednesday 5th May 19:48
annodomini2 said:
Main issue is the brake pedal, the first 20-25% does not touch the mechanical brakes, it's all regen, above 10ish mph, you don't notice, but in stop start traffic you have to really push the pedal to stop, the differential behaviour is dangerous IMO.
The lack of one pedal driving is a serious mistake with this car.
]
Did you use both driving modes? One has regen on lift and designed for town driving, the other doesn’t and is designed for faster road, motorways. They’re both available from the drive select.The lack of one pedal driving is a serious mistake with this car.
]
But what I think you’re really experiencing is the lack of personality in EVs.
Heres Johnny said:
annodomini2 said:
Main issue is the brake pedal, the first 20-25% does not touch the mechanical brakes, it's all regen, above 10ish mph, you don't notice, but in stop start traffic you have to really push the pedal to stop, the differential behaviour is dangerous IMO.
The lack of one pedal driving is a serious mistake with this car.
Did you use both driving modes? One has regen on lift and designed for town driving, the other doesn’t and is designed for faster road, motorways. They’re both available from the drive select.The lack of one pedal driving is a serious mistake with this car.
But what I think you’re really experiencing is the lack of personality in EVs.
So when you're in stop start traffic you need to really push the pedal to stop.
annodomini2 said:
witten said:
I couldn't agree more. I test drove a LR on Saturday and loved it right up to the point I went on the motorway when I thought it was unacceptable. There was a lot of rear end openess and felt like it needed quieter tires or more NVH on the liners. I don't think I could live with it on a long journey. Yes I am driving a Range Rover at the moment which is super refined but I was super disappointed with the M3LR noise on the motor way.
Also agree on the steering wheel, although I felt the rim was too thick and the overall diameter a little small.
Interestingly I test drove a Polestar 2 about an hour after the Model 3. It is a much more refined vehicle, but obviously slightly more expensive, not quite as fast, no interesting and funny software entertainment etc. Overall it is a more mature car from a more mature company but not as entertaining perhaps as a consequence.
Depends what you want and spec with the Polestar, the base model is slightly cheaper, but slightly slower and less kit. 7 Sec 0-60, is comparable to most premium saloon, suv in the same price bracket. It's not the same as the Tesla, but it's a question of what you want.Also agree on the steering wheel, although I felt the rim was too thick and the overall diameter a little small.
Interestingly I test drove a Polestar 2 about an hour after the Model 3. It is a much more refined vehicle, but obviously slightly more expensive, not quite as fast, no interesting and funny software entertainment etc. Overall it is a more mature car from a more mature company but not as entertaining perhaps as a consequence.
0-60 means nothing 99.99% of the time, what matters is 30-60 and 40-70, these figures are usually hard to come by.
LR equivalent is slightly cheaper with less kit, more with equivalent kit.
Even the lease costs are very close, £50 a month between the different models and with very little additional range offered by the 78kWh RWD versus the AWD version not sure who'd choose it to save £20 a month?
annodomini2 said:
Think I'll give the Polestar a try and see if they'll let me re-test the M3.
Try it, I have had a Model 3 and Polestar and much prefer the Polestar overall. Its a lot more refined and is a lot nicer place to sit.
You do sit fairly high especially compared to a Tesla so seeing your comments around a ID3 that may be an issue. As other people have said I would get the dual motor big battery model as the saving for the FWD model doesn't seem worth it to me...
greggy50 said:
annodomini2 said:
Think I'll give the Polestar a try and see if they'll let me re-test the M3.
Try it, I have had a Model 3 and Polestar and much prefer the Polestar overall. Its a lot more refined and is a lot nicer place to sit.
You do sit fairly high especially compared to a Tesla so seeing your comments around a ID3 that may be an issue. As other people have said I would get the dual motor big battery model as the saving for the FWD model doesn't seem worth it to me...
I hate a high driving position for a car, for me it's like driving a van, if I wanted a van, I'd get one.
SWoll said:
annodomini2 said:
Read up, they class it as a sporty SUV, pass.
I hate a high driving position for a car, for me it's like driving a van, if I wanted a van, I'd get one.
It's a little higher than the Model 3 but nowhere near SUV. Its almost 20cm lower than an XC40 for example.I hate a high driving position for a car, for me it's like driving a van, if I wanted a van, I'd get one.
You do feel slightly higher up but it isn't that much higher than a Model 3 to be honest.
annodomini2 said:
Going to test an LR at the weekend, would someone care to share their referral code, if I do buy?
Prefer to give it to someone that can use it, than some douche tuber.
PM me if you don't wish to publicly share
Gladly Prefer to give it to someone that can use it, than some douche tuber.
PM me if you don't wish to publicly share
https://ts.la/marcus70146
I agree with the OP.
The road noise and ride are really quite bad at times. I can't remember the figures but a quick check with a noise meter app suggested it was quite a bit louder at 60 mph than my diesel Hilux running on all terrain tyres!
Our LR is on 18's - the Performance on 20s must be terrible!
The road noise and ride are really quite bad at times. I can't remember the figures but a quick check with a noise meter app suggested it was quite a bit louder at 60 mph than my diesel Hilux running on all terrain tyres!
Our LR is on 18's - the Performance on 20s must be terrible!
This may be controversial but I'm writing what my experience was comparing the Tesla to a Taycan.
We tested the Model 3 LR back to back with the Taycan. We found the Tesla to be quick, smooth and handle well. I didn't notice any particular extra noise on the dual carriageway section of the test drive, even at fast speed (wife was particularly impressed with the acceleration when overtaking, lets say the horns came out a bit!).
We both were really impressed with it to drive, the minimalist interior takes some getting used to however (coming from a Porsche and a Vantage) but our overall impression was very positive.
We then drove the Taycan, admittedly only the 2 wheel drive version. We liked the interior very much, with "proper" instruments and switches, plus an impressive centre console. It felt really substantial to sit in, my wife likened it to sitting in an aircraft cockpit.
Then we drove off.... I immediately felt vibration through the wheel and floorpan. Only slight but we both noticed it. The car was not as quick as the Tesla (although no slouch) and again i didn't notice much roadhouse. It felt very heavy on the road, which of course it is.
I was not as impressed as I was expecting to be for a car that cost £30k more once specced up a bit.
Anyway, the new Tesla comes at the end of this month, based on the experience of the back to back test drives.
We tested the Model 3 LR back to back with the Taycan. We found the Tesla to be quick, smooth and handle well. I didn't notice any particular extra noise on the dual carriageway section of the test drive, even at fast speed (wife was particularly impressed with the acceleration when overtaking, lets say the horns came out a bit!).
We both were really impressed with it to drive, the minimalist interior takes some getting used to however (coming from a Porsche and a Vantage) but our overall impression was very positive.
We then drove the Taycan, admittedly only the 2 wheel drive version. We liked the interior very much, with "proper" instruments and switches, plus an impressive centre console. It felt really substantial to sit in, my wife likened it to sitting in an aircraft cockpit.
Then we drove off.... I immediately felt vibration through the wheel and floorpan. Only slight but we both noticed it. The car was not as quick as the Tesla (although no slouch) and again i didn't notice much roadhouse. It felt very heavy on the road, which of course it is.
I was not as impressed as I was expecting to be for a car that cost £30k more once specced up a bit.
Anyway, the new Tesla comes at the end of this month, based on the experience of the back to back test drives.
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