Model 3 options £20k budget
Discussion
Hi
I think ive narrowed down what I am after, in an ideal world it would be a performance model as im coming from a bmw M140i.
However I think due to budget I won't be able to
So I thought of a AWD LR with a acceleration boost.
(However I think that would be hard to find)
Now I don't actually do alot of miles, in a single trip which I do now and then the most it would be is 150 miles.
The majority of my journeys are anything from 5-80miles.
I love my M140 but I hardly drive it to its max, I coach grassroots football in my free time so most journeys are lugging equipment and going to matches.
I wanted to get people's thoughts
Thanks
I think ive narrowed down what I am after, in an ideal world it would be a performance model as im coming from a bmw M140i.
However I think due to budget I won't be able to
So I thought of a AWD LR with a acceleration boost.
(However I think that would be hard to find)
Now I don't actually do alot of miles, in a single trip which I do now and then the most it would be is 150 miles.
The majority of my journeys are anything from 5-80miles.
I love my M140 but I hardly drive it to its max, I coach grassroots football in my free time so most journeys are lugging equipment and going to matches.
I wanted to get people's thoughts
Thanks
Having owned an M140i for 3 years, then an M2, then a C43 and now having an (albiet brand new) Model 3 LR at the door, i suspect you'll find the car feels at least as quick as your M140i.
Theres no turbo to spool up / gears to kick down. The acceleration is just there, linear, all the time.
Theres no turbo to spool up / gears to kick down. The acceleration is just there, linear, all the time.
I have a late 2022 registered M3 LR AWD, you should be able to pick up one from an independent that's similar. Mine was £22k from a Tesla 'showroom' so I got an extra 12 months/10k miles warranty on top as well as enhanced auto pilot.
It has a few months left of the original 4 year warranty, plus the warranty on the motors and battery runs to 8 years and 120k miles from new.
When I was looking there was another car that had acceleration boost - it drops the 0-60 from 4.2 second to 3.7 but I hardly ever use the performance in mine fully so wouldn't see the difference.
You can always add it later, it's £1500 and if you don't like it I believe you can get a refund within 14 days. You just buy it from the app.
Your 150 mile trip in the middle of winter, starting with a 100% charge, should be fine and leave you a good reserve.
My car has a range showing of 335 miles but as I do mostly motorway I take it to be an average of 250 miles from 100% - 0%. maybe 220 in winter. I leave the car plugged in to precondition which helps a lot.
It has a few months left of the original 4 year warranty, plus the warranty on the motors and battery runs to 8 years and 120k miles from new.
When I was looking there was another car that had acceleration boost - it drops the 0-60 from 4.2 second to 3.7 but I hardly ever use the performance in mine fully so wouldn't see the difference.
You can always add it later, it's £1500 and if you don't like it I believe you can get a refund within 14 days. You just buy it from the app.
Your 150 mile trip in the middle of winter, starting with a 100% charge, should be fine and leave you a good reserve.
My car has a range showing of 335 miles but as I do mostly motorway I take it to be an average of 250 miles from 100% - 0%. maybe 220 in winter. I leave the car plugged in to precondition which helps a lot.
Edited by Whataguy on Tuesday 14th July 15:51
Thanks for the replies a couple of other questions
When looking at cars to buy does the mileage matter per say, or is it more the battery health?
Is it worth buying a used car directly from tesla as opposed to another garage. Ive noticed Tesla sold cars are about £1500 more in some cases.
When looking at cars to buy does the mileage matter per say, or is it more the battery health?
Is it worth buying a used car directly from tesla as opposed to another garage. Ive noticed Tesla sold cars are about £1500 more in some cases.
arj7 said:
Thanks for the replies a couple of other questions
When looking at cars to buy does the mileage matter per say, or is it more the battery health?
Is it worth buying a used car directly from tesla as opposed to another garage. Ive noticed Tesla sold cars are about £1500 more in some cases.
Mileage matters relative to value. Make sure its priced accordingly.When looking at cars to buy does the mileage matter per say, or is it more the battery health?
Is it worth buying a used car directly from tesla as opposed to another garage. Ive noticed Tesla sold cars are about £1500 more in some cases.
I think you get the balance of the Tesla warranty plus another year? with Tesla. it would be where i'd go if i was buying my first Tesla EV.
I think prices have crept up recently. I bought in April a Model 3 performance, '21 plate, 30k miles from Tesla.
I'd not suggest buying a car out of battery or drivetrain warranty. This is 8 years / 120k. You also get at least 12 month vehicle warranty when buying with Tesla direct.
I haven't driven a Long Range, but I have extensively driven the standard model and obviously my own. My only comment would be check to make sure that the Long Range, with/without acceleration boost, handles as you would like. What I mean is the standard chassis is noticeably less sharp than that on the performance model which additionally allows you (in track mode) to set the drivetrain split as you wish, which makes a marked difference.
The standard model falls into understeer a lot quicker and has a more clumsy ride quality; the performance model is sharper, has more grip and whilst firmer, is not overly so. Its a fantastically quick road car and I find it enjoyable to drive.
I've actually had a standard model 3 for a little bit whilst mine has some warranty work done and whilst its a good car, perfectly capable and competent, it is in every respect, nowhere near as good as my performance model.
If you are a keen driver, then try stretch to the performance model; I don't think you will regret it.
I'd not suggest buying a car out of battery or drivetrain warranty. This is 8 years / 120k. You also get at least 12 month vehicle warranty when buying with Tesla direct.
I haven't driven a Long Range, but I have extensively driven the standard model and obviously my own. My only comment would be check to make sure that the Long Range, with/without acceleration boost, handles as you would like. What I mean is the standard chassis is noticeably less sharp than that on the performance model which additionally allows you (in track mode) to set the drivetrain split as you wish, which makes a marked difference.
The standard model falls into understeer a lot quicker and has a more clumsy ride quality; the performance model is sharper, has more grip and whilst firmer, is not overly so. Its a fantastically quick road car and I find it enjoyable to drive.
I've actually had a standard model 3 for a little bit whilst mine has some warranty work done and whilst its a good car, perfectly capable and competent, it is in every respect, nowhere near as good as my performance model.
If you are a keen driver, then try stretch to the performance model; I don't think you will regret it.
arj7 said:
Thanks for the replies a couple of other questions
When looking at cars to buy does the mileage matter per say, or is it more the battery health?
Is it worth buying a used car directly from tesla as opposed to another garage. Ive noticed Tesla sold cars are about £1500 more in some cases.
The mileage only matters for the warranty, the higher the mileage the less warranty remaining.When looking at cars to buy does the mileage matter per say, or is it more the battery health?
Is it worth buying a used car directly from tesla as opposed to another garage. Ive noticed Tesla sold cars are about £1500 more in some cases.
I had a standard range 2022 hire car that had 70k miles on it and it drove the same as mine with 40k miles regarding rattles/etc. They hold the miles very well.
If you can get one from Tesla direct it's worth it, you get any remainder of the original 4 year/50k mile warranty plus another 1 year/10k mile extended warranty on top.
I'm not sure what they do now, but you also used to get enhanced autopilot cruise control included for free with an approved used Tesla.
Cars that have this also qualify for a discount for FSD self driving if it fully launches here - down to £50 a month instead of the standard £100 a month.
prices have crept up a bit recently due to fuel prices etc.
standard tesla warranty is 50k miles or 4 years. whichever comes first (battery/drive motors seperate). you may be able to sneak a car m3 LR just within that. which is always nice but doesnt seem to be much go wrong with them. Mine had a front wing camera fail. if it wasnt for warranty it would of been £160 repair at tesla. probably cheaper if you just done it yourself.
would definetely go 2022+ with the Ryzen CPU. There has been a few software updates already with some features not available on older intel CPU's and imagine it will continue especially with FSD lite or whatever they are calling it.
Within the service menu theres a software page that shows which CPU it has. some late 2021 cars got it and some early 2022 cars dont so not always full proof to go off age alone.
standard tesla warranty is 50k miles or 4 years. whichever comes first (battery/drive motors seperate). you may be able to sneak a car m3 LR just within that. which is always nice but doesnt seem to be much go wrong with them. Mine had a front wing camera fail. if it wasnt for warranty it would of been £160 repair at tesla. probably cheaper if you just done it yourself.
would definetely go 2022+ with the Ryzen CPU. There has been a few software updates already with some features not available on older intel CPU's and imagine it will continue especially with FSD lite or whatever they are calling it.
Within the service menu theres a software page that shows which CPU it has. some late 2021 cars got it and some early 2022 cars dont so not always full proof to go off age alone.
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