Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

Model 3 Delivery and First Impressions

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.
I'm a 2012 Model S P85 (early 2000's vin) owner living in Fremont California. Not an employee.
I had placed reservation for Model 3 late on first day at a store, after the crowds had died down.
I got my config email on 12/15/17
I got a call from delivery specialist on 12/22/17
I got a call back from delivery specialist asking if I wanted to take delivery on 12/23/17, but I couldn't because I had plans
Took delivery of Model 3 LR on 12/26/17 (early 1400's vin)

Delivery Experience
Originally the delivery specialist had offered to arrange an Uber to come pick me up and take me to the delivery center, but I was able to find a friend to take me instead. I had not been to the new delivery center. It was nice. Decor matched Tesla stores and service centers. I appreciated the complementary coffee bar, especially since my delivery time was in the evening and it was unusually chilly for California weather. I arrived at 6pm for my 6:15 appointment. I had uploaded my driver's license and proof of insurance prior. I had a cashier's check at the ready. I was told that the process should take approximately 45 minutes, but I expected less since all the paperwork should have been completed already. There were 20 or so people in the center taking their deliveries of Model S and Model X's. My delivery specialist for the night introduced himself and escorted me to the back where the Model 3's were being delivered. There was a demo model 3 available for us to sit in and familiarize while we waited for my car to be detailed. Eventually I took delivery at around 8pm. I was the last one out.

Model 3 First impressions and random musings

I like it. I like it a lot.

I drove the 3 away from the factory with the range reading 295 mi range. Charged up to 80% this morning I had 250 mi range.

Compared with my Model S P85, it actually feels quicker from a standstill. On the freeway, though, I can tell it's got less "horsepower". Quick bursts from 60 up to 85 are less neck snapping than the S. Regardless, the 3 has more than enough speed for all normal everyday driving needs.

The car is much more energy efficient than the S. My daily commute I average around 280 wh/mi in the S. Today, I got 225 wh/mi in the 3.

One small complaint I have is the alignment of the hood with the fenders, but just as I was thinking about this, I got a call from Tesla asking me how my car was working out. I told them about it and now I have an appt with them next week to address it.

I love the phone key concept. Essentially my phone is now my car fob. One less thing to carry in my pocket.

The charging port door auto closes. I love that.

I wish the center screen in the car was adjustable. As it is, it feels like an add-on. It's not very well integrated into the rest of the dash. The dash, though, looks great. it reminds me of the bridge on the Star Trek Enterprise space ship (Next Generation).

seats are very comfortable and supportive.

I love the panoramic glass roof. I don't miss the sunroof option at all. To be honest I've never really opened the sunroof in my S anyway.

Headroom is abundant, at least in the driver's seat. I haven't tried the rear seats yet.

car feels solid, no squeaks or rattles as yet.

the slope of the hood is steep enough that I don't see hardly any of it while in the driver's seat. It looks like the road is immediately in front of the dash. great visibility

the regenerative braking seems a bit more forceful than the S. The car stops much sooner if I let off the accelerator. That may be because the car is lighter?

There's lots of trunk space. I could easily fit my bicycle inside the car with the seats folded down.

The new door handles are fine, but not as cool as the S's. you have to press down with your thumb to fold the handle out, then grab it with your fingers to open. We'll have to see how my children do. They have much smaller hands.

Let me know if any of you have specific questions.
 
Today, I got 225 wh/mi in the 3.

That is phenomenal. I presume you are not an hypermiler. With that efficiency, you will get 330 miles, more than the rated range.

the slope of the hood is steep enough that I don't see hardly any of it while in the driver's seat. It looks like the road is immediately in front of the dash. great visibility

That is really good to know. One of the reasons why I prefer an SUV over a car, is the good all round visibility especially when you turn right or left and you can't see the curb, it becomes quite stressful and end up taking a much wider turn.
 
@insaneoctane

Yes, I forgot to mention, the rear view camera on the S is much much more clear than on the 3. The difference is like 1080p vs 780 in terms of resolution. I don't really mind though. I don't need to have crystal clear view while backing up. I just need to be able to see objects and the camera on the 3 accomplishes that fine.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: Canuck
The car is much more energy efficient than the S. My daily commute I average around 280 wh/mi in the S. Today, I got 225 wh/mi in the 3

Just met a fresh from the factory 3 owner in Gilroy. Point of comparison, he showed us he had 221 Wh/mi on his ride over there.

Thanks for the review. As a MS owner it's nice to have 3 owners who also have been in the S for a while. The Gilroy guy has been an S owner since 2013 and was very happy with his 3.
 
Last edited:
Took delivery of Model 3 LR on 12/26/17 (early 1400's vin)
I'm happy for all you new owners. I love your reviews and your comparisons to the MS. Keep it up!

The car is much more energy efficient than the S. My daily commute I average around 280 wh/mi in the S. Today, I got 225 wh/mi in the 3.
This is VERY encouraging. Do you have the 18" aero wheels?

I wish the center screen in the car was adjustable. As it is, it feels like an add-on. It's not very well integrated into the rest of the dash.
I have a feeling that aftermarket will address this with an integrated shroud. Stay tuned.

the slope of the hood is steep enough that I don't see hardly any of it while in the driver's seat. It looks like the road is immediately in front of the dash. great visibility
Go-Kart driving! I love it!

the regenerative braking seems a bit more forceful than the S. The car stops much sooner if I let off the accelerator. That may be because the car is lighter?
Aren't there different settings for regen on the U.I.?
 
Yes, I forgot to mention, the rear view camera on the S is much much more clear than on the 3. The difference is like 1080p vs 780 in terms of resolution

That's what the difference is like between the old S backup camera and the new one that came out about a year or so ago. But like you, I don't really need a crystal clear backup camera -- still it would be good to have anyway -- and with how cheap cameras are, it's strange it's not higher resolution.

The charging port door auto closes. I love that.

I'm looking forward to that on my 3 -- that came out with the refresh I think? I still have to close mine manually and hate getting in the car and seeing the chargeport door open warning. I wish I could push a button to close it.

Thanks for posting your review. I can't wait to get mine.

Aren't there different settings for regen on the U.I.?

Yes, but why would you want to turn it down. The more regen the better, for one foot driving which is so much better, and for energy recovery. I just wish the brake lights didn't come on so easily and that could be controlled.
 
I ordered the M3 on the first day and configured on 12/14.

We picked up my wife's red M3 VIN22XX from the new Fremont Delivery Center today. She likes it much better than her 2016 MS (which I inherit) as it's a bit smaller and easier to park.

I think the performance is better and the interior detailing is nicer than the S. The single screen is not a problem but I would like it to be larger. Remember when everyone thought the MS screen was too large?
 
On regen: The Model 3 has less regen than the Roadster. I really like the strong regen on the Roadster. It will be hard to get used to the lighter regen on the Model 3. I wish they had a setting for stronger regen.

On wh/mi: I presume those figures are wh from the battery? A more useful figure would be wh from the wall socket. That's the energy actually used by the car. Is there a constant conversion factor, or does it depend on charging conditions?
 
A more useful figure would be wh from the wall socket. That's the energy actually used by the car. Is there a constant conversion factor, or does it depend on charging conditions

Depends if you are more concerned with cost ($/kWh) or vehicle range (miles/kWh).

Charging efficency is an interesting function based on temperature, vehicle base load, and converter loss type (switching vs resistive). Not going to even try to guess the sweet spot of 240V charge current.
 
Given that the EPA reported battery exhaustion at 78,2kWh, that would be 348 miles in the LR! And maybe 239 in the SR, given a pack ratio of 31/46 and a ~2% range bonus for the reduced mass.
This thread is nudging me towards foregoing the extra nine large for LR. I am very happy with the 249 of my S but was a little concerned about going much lower. Hopefully many more reports will be forthcoming now that non-employee deliveries are accelerating.
 
  • Like
Reactions: suwaneedad