Ok I’ve driven a few prev gen S’s…2016 90D, 2017 P100D, 2018 100D…leased. The 100D driven until end of 2021 and shifted into a 2022 M3 LR w/ABoost.
Positives to M3:
- lighter for point and shoot handling. I’m running 20” Perf rims/tires on the 3 Vs the 21” arachnids on the S and there is no compassion to handling. The 3 is a funner experience here and the S felt boaty in comparison.
- longer range 570km to 525km
- the power of the ABoost makes this car a sheer joy to me. Coming out of turns, the car is planted and simply handles like a car 2000lbs lighter than it is.
- more efficient ie. drinks less kw per Km
- door pockets
- wireless phone chargers
- sound system is fantastic. Encompassing, solid bass at all vol levels and imly refuses to distort. The S was far inferior here. The new 2022 S I’ve driven and listened to in my friends SLR and tbh we both feel the 3 sound stage is cleaner and crisper.
-dual pane windows on the 3 made it about as quiet as the 2018 S was. Also no front motor whine
- higher back seats for kids legs and knees.
- no shudder or suspension half shaft issues on the 3. Infant no issues whatsoever for a year now
- keep my psi to 38/39 and find it soaks up road imperfections better. Not as comfortable as the S however it’s decent.
- easier to park.
-0-100 in 3.7
Positives to MS:
- comfort/touring suspension. We had air susp so it felt more cushion. The 21” arachnids muted the overall ride comfort though in favour of some extra handing and lighter unsprung weight.
- pano sunroof. Nothing like open sunlight streaming in. Sadly not avail on any teslas.
- firmer next gen seats with better side bolstering
- physical side mirror controls and wiper stalk
- rear.litfgate. This made the S as practical as any SUV for cargo/storage.
- dash screen customizable to any config. This I heard has also been removed?
- larger leg room front and rear
- looks wise WAY better at all angles
- a more refined / touring drive….comfort over handling.
- 0-100 in 3.7 but felt slower than the 3.
Likely due to a more refined throttle mapping.
I know many say the new S is far superior in interior finish. I agree somewhat in that department but the 3 is not that far off once the dash wood/trim extended into the door frames in 2021.
Would I go back to a prev gen S over a new 3? Never. Would I prefer a new S over a new 3? Sure..who wouldn’t?
Pprice M3LR - 64k cnd
Pprice MS100D - 128k cnd
Literally double the price. Double the car? No.
Todays pricing of 2023 S LR I’m seeing 112-115k inventory Vs M3 LRange inventory for 72k. Now the price differential is more sensible …favouring the S.
Many fellow tesla buddies and some of the SC staff I got to know over the years said I’d never be able to make the switch lol. It took me 2 days to get used to only one screen and then I never looked back. I actually prefer the cleaner minimalist design of the 3 and the drive.’
However we also made the decision to purchase a 3LR AND an MYPerf for almost the price of one new SLR. We now have 2 for 1 lol. The Y provides all the room, luggage, storage we need with 2 teens and their long legs, plus larger interior than the 3, lift gate, reclining rear seats, way better visibility than the S or 3 and a more refined drive than the 3.
The S is essentially a 3 and Y combined into one awesome package. If we had one car to own, the new S would likely take it. But the M3 is again the most enjoyable daily car to drive of the 3 models.
(Disclaimer: plaid is..well…plaid. Diff animal and cannot compare here lol )