Could a Tesla Model 3 be a useable biking / outdoorsy car?

I think you'll be fine with the towbar rack, but check out the boot opening on it because it's pretty damn small compared to a hatch or estate, feels like using a big postbox. When I was looking into these it was stretching my budget way past where I felt comfortable so I ended up not bothering since I knew this would bug me.

I fully intend to visit a dealer with a mountain bike and some assorted baggage to try getting in the car!

I've got a couple of mates with model 3s, whilst they can get their bikes in the back it is a total faff, and stops the boot being used for anything else. Even a SUP seems to fill the boot, 2 was a squeeze.

Also, be careful with the towbar / roofbars - I think these have to be factory fitted and cannot be an aftermarket upgrade... at least thats what one of the owners has said.

For that reason, its a resounding no from me. And I totally agree on how bad the Y looks, so I'd be looking at an ID3 or EV6.

I'll just leave this here... 😉

It would be Model Y over the 3 for me, for one reason - Y has a hatchback. Now, most of the time on trips I've got my bikes on the towbar rack but 1 in every 4-5 trips (so once a year roughly) I need to travel with one bike in the boot, for security reasons mainly. I just couldn't do that in the model 3.

I'm pretty sold on a Model Y being my next car, I may have to wait 5 years for them to get to a price I can afford mind you...

This may help too:

Have you ridden in a M3? There’s something a bit off with the ride compared to most mid sized cars. I think they’ve over compensated for the weight in trying to make it corner flat and be a BMW 3 rival. As a result I found my mates really crashy over broken roads. Especially from the back seat. Worth getting a go before you commit as it wasn’t my cup of tea. Oh and I agree the MY is gopping.

That off-road version looks great fun.

Yes, I’ve driven one. Definitely firm and not as refined as other similar premium cars. I believe that the more mainstream manufacturers offerings are better “cars” but the Teslas are better “electric” cars if that makes sense.

A major factor is the Tesla charging network - being able to confidently rock up to a charger, charge and go vs having the potential to wait in line for only one or two chargers at a service station or then not work at all etc is quite a big factor and could make the difference between it being a very useable car (lots of road trips) and one I’d avoid using for long journeys. This is a little bit of an issue right now but I think might be a major issue in the next couple of years as EV sales are rocketing (company car tax breaks) and their charger network might not keep up to start with.
They are opening up the Tesla network to other cars though so that dynamic might change.

Re the model y practicality. I know, and it is by far the more practical and “better” car choice. I just don’t like the way it looks (personal taste plus vanity) and would definitely go other brand instead - an EV6, Ioniq 5, Enyaq coupe etc and just live with the charging network risk.

Charging network is getting there and unless you’re a mega miles rep you do >90% of your charging at home. I’ve an ioniq5 and it has 230-50 miles of range abd charges really quickly (in summer temps) at the 100-350kw chargers that are cropping up. Went to the new ionity chargers at Stafford Monday and by the time you have a toilet stop buy a drink and walk back to the car it’s done back to 80% and good to go.

Thought about it for similar purposes, ordered a Q4 Etron instead, with a towball.

It’ll be OK.

You can get two bikes in there with the back seats down if you ‘post’ them through the boot lid. You need to at least take the front wheels off. Very easy to get two bikes in if you take both wheels off.

Or, use a tow bar.

Other Teslas in order of ease of stuffing bikes inside: X, Y, S

The 3 is a ‘sporty’ (firm) drive. Of all the Teslas it is the most fun to drive. The S is more comfortable. if you’re considering a used Tesla many should be cheaper than a new 3.

We had an S. we have a 3 and a Y. And we had an X as a short term loaner.

Edit: chargers.
Until last October I’d only used home/house charging or Tesla superchargers since 2018. I then used a Tesco free charger just for the fun of it.
More recently we were in Cornwall and I used a few non-Tesla ‘fast’ chargers here and there. The experience of those was OK but not as smooth as Tesla. Each needed another app and some needed an account. Only one was a poor experience: the Eden project’s old ‘hidden’ charger in the distant park and ride car park. Later in the summer Eden Project should have about 20 new chargers near the centre.

How long are you thinking of keeping the car and are you buying or leasing ?

I do t think it will be that long (5 years or so) before EV’s become d tech and are replaced by other technologies

Why do you think this? And what do you think the replacement will be?

How long are you thinking of keeping the car and are you buying or leasing ?

3 years lease as it’s a company car. So long enough for an impractical car to be annoying but no worries about long term EV issues, tech moving on etc.

I do have views on long term tech changes etc but will discuss those in the EV car thread and keep this one for the mundane “is a model 3 practical enough” question.

@pedlad - thanks, it’s good to hear the network is improving which opens up the choice. Stafford is right on the route I’d be most likely to need away from home charging in too (Cambridgeshire to Cheshire return trip).

There are folk asking for some owner feedback on Ioniq5’s on the electric car thread by the way if you get a chance to post your experience there.

Odd you think the 3 is cool enough styling-wise but the Y isn't - they don't exactly look radically different, the Y's just a bit taller. Both have a bit 'meh' styling but to compromise on the space you could use for your requirement for a small difference in appearance is very odd.

I need to travel with one bike in the boot, for security reasons mainly. I just couldn’t do that in the model 3.

Why can't you just drop the seat down and put it in?

I've a 3 series saloon and my (very long) Cotic fits in fine. I do take the front wheel off, it's not essential for fit but find it makes it easier to slide in. A quick Google shows me the Model 3's boot is both longer & wider than my 3.

It's all just personal opinion, but I personally think there is a massive difference in the appeal of the styling of the 3 and Y. They are pretty much identical design wise, just the Y is "stretched" vertically. This leaves the 3 looking low, sleek and sporty and the Y looking a bit gangly and badly proportioned, quite awquard looking. More so in the flesh than in pictures.

Again, just personal preference. If they were the only two EVs available it would be a straight choice, but I'm thinking they don't compete against each other - I see the Model 3 / BMW i4 as one set of choices (non-EV - low and sporty types), and the Model Y competes against other "crossover" type EVs from different manufacturers - Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, VAG etc - and in those cases I'd choose the other manufacturers.

There's a lot to like about the Model 3 , but the small boot is a big p.i.t.a. Try getting bouldering mats in.

As an outdoors going somewhere car it's on a different planet to the Fiat Panda from another thread 🙂

I’ve been using my M3P as just such a vehicle for 2.5 years now. It’s absolutely fine and will miss it when it goes back in 6 months (not getting another as price has shot up since I got mine).

I’ve got the Yakima aftermarket bars (only one available other than Tesla ones when I bought them). They’re a pain to fit (need to line them up yourself.. e.g. front of front foot must be 102mm from top of windscreen!). So once they’re on they’re on.

The boot is a decent size with the seats down, as above bigger than my old 3 series. I do tip runs, biking trips, camping, and all sorts in mine. It can be practical but I’ve had a few saloon cars now so maybe I’m just used to making it work and not taking the kitchen sink when away.

The not so good points are when there’s a roof box and bike up top I would basically cut the wltp range in half. Also if biking in more remote areas there’s not so many superchargers about but you can get +100 miles overnight on a 3 pin plug.

I know the looks of the 3 are divisive but I think they look great from all angles other than dead centre at the front.. it’s got a very low scuttle and long sweeping windscreen that just doesn’t look right. This is 10x worse on the Y!

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As an outdoors going somewhere car it’s on a different planet to the Fiat Panda from another thread 🙂

Tbh I fancy a pander 4x4, but I do have easy access to coastal coves and dirt tracks that I’d be happy bouncing around in a reasonably priced panda as opposed to a Model 3 which is great for the long distance stuff but not something I want to use for play.

I usually get MrsDoD to drive the smart cabriolet with bike rack to pick me up or for fun runs to the beach.

As an 'outdoorsy' person with a model 3, if you have the option to get a model Y I think you'll hugely regret not doing so.

The objection to the very slightly different looks will fade quickly the first time you realise you cant put anything that isn't oblong in the car.

It's a great car and there's loads of room inside, but the access is massively limiting.

The roofbars are a colossal faff unless you leave them on all the time. Have you checked if you can get one with a towbar? I'm not sure what the situation is with them now.

You won't get proper camping kit to make it worthwhile going with two active nine yr olds in a model 3. Forget it.

We camped once for a night in ours to save an expensive hotel. It was a colossal faff for one minimal night. Forget proper camping, not a chance.

We camped once for a night in ours to save an expensive hotel. It was a colossal faff for one minimal night. Forget proper camping, not a chance.

You'd camp in a smart car to save a cheap hotel, TBH.... 😉

DrP

I've got a model 3 that also has a towbar attachment. My XL bike fit's in with the front wheel off without issue but if 2 are going in there it's both wheels and pedals off, which is what I used to do with my 3 series touring. If I had the choice it would be a model Y as the boot in the 3 is a bit restrictive.

It's not the getting bikes in bit that's the issue tbh. Model 3 is fine with a pair of XL enduro gnarpoons (front wheels off) in the back and two chaps up front (like most cars are). It's the camping, general being active with kids bit that's the issue. You couldn't get a proper coolbox in the boot for example.

Have you actually looked into how the roofbars go on? It's not something you want to do in hurry before going away.

I'm a case study for the OP, two kids similar age and I'd LOVE to swop my 3 for a Y.

a 3 was my initial choice before looking at much detail. I saw a mates Y and was impressed with the space, though not so much the visuals. Lats month was decision time to order on a Tusker lease through work for delivery next summer - the Q4 etron worked out significantly cheaper and coming from a Q5 and various other Audi's for the past decade, was an easy choice. It arrives next June, comes with towbar, much more space than the 3, not too low for my old creaky back and a quoted range of around 300 miles (quattro version) and real life expected around 220 miles.

I could probably live with one with a towbar rack. Roofbars seem a bit too much faff with the Model 3 to put on and off (glass roof so needs some extra care/steps). Boot is a decent size, there's the extra well under the floor and the frunk too. Just an awkward shape for bulkier things. Buy/rent a trailer for proper camping trips.

fwiw though I'd much rather have an EV6 or Ioniq5 - not just practicality wise but I just prefer them. I don't have as much range as any of these (62kwh Leaf) but I find with that you can easily hit a charging hub including the likes of MFG, Osprey, Shell and Instavolt off the motorway. Quite a few Tesla supercharger sites are open to all now too. Andrew Till on youtube recently did a trip down to Italy and it looked like a breeze in the Ioniq5.

Some good feedback above, thanks all. Sounds like the summary is that the Model 3 CAN work in the way I want/need but will be a bit of a pain in the process. I have checked out the roofrack - quite fiddly - clearly the car was designed with aesthetics in mind not practicality.

I made a simple spreadsheet with the sort of trips I'd expect to do - up to see my parents, a trip to the peaks, lakes, snowdonia once each per year - round trips for work etc and then compared that against mileage capability. Looks like with a 225 miles real world range I'd be charging away from home about 16 times a year and that could be less if I for example overnight charged at my parents using a 13 amp plus approach so actually not much of an issue not having access to the Tesla network.

Something a bit more practical is on the cards then unless the Model Y styling grows on me. Thanks everyone!

We have an M3P (work lease) and have only ever put a bike in it once (we also have a new Transit Custom for that).

It is a pain in the ass & the boot is rubbish. It’s even more rubbish if you have a dog. However the MY wasn’t out at that point, so it wasn’t an option. Needed to be a Tesla for work use, range & charging benefits, whilst some others might be better ‘cars’ the infrastructure of trying to charge anywhere other than home, or a Supercharger is enough to put you off owning any electric car right now IMO.

The Y is a funny looking thing though, that’s for sure. I think it looks massively worse in anything other than a dark colour, to hide it’s shape, but the practicality of the boot may well win us over when the M3 goes back.

After all that... I've just ordered a BMW i4. Now for the loooooooooooooong wait.

Cambridgeshire to Cheshire return trip

Cambridge to manchester was partly the reason I got a Model S back in the day. Made an awful journey bearable.

The trip from Cambridge to Manchester is now better.

After all that… I’ve just ordered a BMW i4. Now for the loooooooooooooong wait.

Maybe the charging network will be way better when it eventually arrives?

Good luck.

You must have patience. I cannot imagine suffering the BMW ‘build and price’ process.

I believe that the more mainstream manufacturers offerings are better “cars” but the Teslas are better “electric” cars if that makes sense.

Why do you think that? Seems to me that people have this idea in their heads from 5 years ago and don't want to let it go.

Edit just saw you ordered an i4. Good choice!

I believe that the more mainstream manufacturers offerings are better “cars” but the Teslas are better “electric” cars if that makes sense.

Why do you think that? Seems to me that people have this idea in their heads from 5 years ago and don’t want to let it go.

As a Tesla owner I think it’s a perfectly valid statement.

Mine has more rattles than Mothercare. The paintwork is extremely poor. The spoiler is falling off. The suspension and ride are nowhere near as good as other cars I’ve had in the same £60,000 price point.

Tesla’s obsession with vision for everything means the auto headlights and auto wipers don’t work as well as they would with simple cheap sensors everyone else is using. It’ll emergency brake when it sees shadows under bridges.

There are no grab handles in the roof, making it difficult for less agile people to get in and out, and the door handles, whilst efficient, are completely unintuitive. You should never need to explain to a passenger how to open the door of your car, either from the inside or out.

The air conditioning’s pursuit of efficiency means the car gradually gets warmer until it realises and then blasts cold air, rather than holding a consistent temperature. And having a massive glass roof with no blinds makes matters worse.

The headlights are utter rubbish, and the rear indicators are barely visible to vehicles behind you.

The driver’s side mirror doesn’t adjust far enough out, because they didn’t bother changing the design of left hand drive mirrors to suit a right hand drive market. Although, my Mercedes have the same issue, so I’ll let them off on that one.

However, as an EV it’s brilliant. I’ve literally driven the length and breadth of the country and never worried about charging it. Even regularly staying in hotels of work it hasn’t been a problem. The efficiency of the car is amazing for something with so much power and massive wheels. The dedicated EV design gives exceptional room inside.

I wouldn’t change it for any other EV at the moment, but I would change it for other cars, especially ones I’ve owned before that haven’t had similar design errors.

That said, I find this thread perplexing. The Model 3 is no better or worse for outdoor pursuits and biking than any other mid-size saloon. And having test driven an i4, the only distinct advantage that has is the hatchback, but it loses out on interior space, efficiency and charging network to Tesla. The latter being pretty important if you’re travelling long distances.

clearly the car was designed with aesthetics in mind not practicality.

More likely they forgot about roof bars as a thing and had to do a bodge job to enable fitting them. Bit like the MG5, late change, no testing, bugger.
@bensales

As a Tesla owner I think it’s a perfectly valid statement.

TBH, i'm not an owner, but have driven and tested Teslas (and most of the other competitive EVs on the market) and would agree with pretty much everything you've pointed out.

When the Teslas were new, they spent about 1 week in 4 at the tesla workshop in the city having stuff fixed. (though, admittedly, they are very heavily used.) Many multiple attempts to fix.

Buttons fall off, doors jam, lights simply don't come on (we had one where only one headlight would switch on for 6 months. Randomly left or right.) Just generally very prototype build.

The reports on the cars were mainly one page of interesting features and fifteen pages of faults and issues.

Appreciate the OP has ordered a BMW but we have the Skoda Enyaq and IMO it's the most practical EV on the market (other then possibly the Model Y, not seen one of those in the flesh). We're in La Rochelle at the moment and getting here from the UK was easy, that said the local charging network is crap, broken chargers everywhere. Got a 900 km drive up to Germany on Sunday so will see how that goes. I have my road bike with me and it didn't affect range too badly on a tow ball rack.

Overall love the car, comfy for 5 of us, best shaped boot on the market, pretty much drives itself on the motorway. The adaptive LED headlights are one of my favourite things, insanely good

So the "best electric" bit of the Tesla is basically the charging network?

I'm not sure they're all that efficient, are they?. I mean adding 'for a fast car' doesn't really apply with EVs in the same way that it did with petrol. I get 4.8m/kWh on my Hyundai now, which is pretty much exactly what the test figures say, so that's what I consider to be efficient.

So the “best electric” bit of the Tesla is basically the charging network?

It’s a significant draw, and a massive bonus to not having to even consider using ZapMap, along with god knows how many other providers Apps on your phone, all of which need credit & half the time the chargers are out of order anyway 🤦‍♂️

Tesla. Plug in route - tells me if I’ll make it, where the nearest supercharger is, the price I’ll pay, availability & what’s working. Turn up, plug in, charge, drive off.

The infrastructure around charging non Teslas is so bad if you need to be a frequent user of other charge points than home/work, I’d rather not have an EV.

Additional areas where Teslas are good as EVs…

- all have a decent sized frunk - some of the new Mercedes don’t even let you open the bonnet, let alone give you storage.
- all have flat floors give extra space - most of the BMW offering as based on ICE platforms that still have things like transmission tunnels wasting space
- blending of physical brakes and regen - on every Tesla I’ve driven it’s been utterly seamless, the Porsche Taycan I drove on the other hand, had a noticeable change between friction and electric braking.
- integration of charging network wholly into car along with payment.
- weight of the car, a Model 3 is around 1850 kilos, BMW i4, 2200kg. This impacts on range and efficiency hugely.
- charge port placement right on the corner of the car so it’s easy to get to.

All the legacy ICE manufacturers are getting there, and certainly cars like the i4 are damn good (I’ll probably have one of them, or an EQE next) but a Tesla do seem to have cracked the EV formula the best at the moment.

After all that… I’ve just ordered a BMW i4. Now for the loooooooooooooong wait

Are folding rear seats still an option thing on the 3 series? You did tick them didnt you ?

I’m not sure they’re all that efficient, are they?. I mean adding ‘for a fast car’ doesn’t really apply with EVs in the same way that it did with petrol. I get 4.8m/kWh on my Hyundai now, which is pretty much exactly what the test figures say, so that’s what I consider to be efficient.

Ok, it’s summer, but my trip from Birmingham to North Yorkshire this last week, two adults, two kids, full car of luggage. There and back at 70 odd, with no particular concessions to efficient driving, plus a day trip to York from Scarborough. 260watts/mile average. That’s bloody good for a 500bhp car, on heavy 20in wheels, fully loaded.

My long term average since buying it is 280watts/mile and that is mostly motorway driving.

The not so good points are when there’s a roof box and bike up top I would basically cut the wltp range in half.

@nickewen - thats what puts me off getting an EV. So what does that make your real world milege (given that Teslas are usually better than the most EV's) ?

My long term average since buying it is 280watts/mile and that is mostly motorway driving.

That's really not that good. I get 30% more than that in a cheap car. Yes, it's got 500bhp, but that's unrelated to efficiency in the EV world. Anyone who thinks Teslas are particularly efficient must not have looked at many other cars.

given that Teslas are usually better than the most EV’s

See what I mean?

Watts/mile is a nonsense unit, do you mean watt-hours per mile? Ie a little under 4 miles per kWh?

This is a decent range test video talking about the i4, but also references the Model 3. The range appears to be pretty similar between the two (M3 more efficient but i4 has bigger battery).

Ultimately, for my choice it came down to a compromise of range, practicality, quality (perceived and actual), and image / aesthetics.

Basically - I like the way the i4 looks and drives. Sure there are more practical cars but I didn't "want" to own one as much, and right now I don't "need" all that practicality. The M3 dual motor version wasn't available to me, so without the crazy performance the RWD M3 didn't appeal enough to overcome the lack of practicality. Fingers crossed the charger network doesn't turn out to be too much of a headache, but it'll only improve when there is demand so I may as well be part of the solution by using it and driving demand. Once the time comes around for a next model I'm sure there will be way more choice in cars and the charger network will be better.

(Folding rear seats are standard by the way but I will be double-checking that once that once the dealer has the order - that WOULD be a deal breaker.)

Watts/mile is a nonsense unit, do you mean watt-hours per mile? Ie a little under 4 miles per kWh?

280wh/mile is just over 3.5 miles/kWh if my calculations are correct?

Fingers crossed the charger network doesn’t turn out to be too much of a headache

I think it depends on the software. Previously, Hyundai's was a bit shit. It would randomly send you to chargers nowhere near where you wanted and you weren't even sure you could access them, so I never used it. It's been updated, so now when you plot a route it seems to give you a pretty sensible set of options that are on your route, but it only does one stop ahead. That is to say, you don't know how many stops you'll need or if you'll have to stop early and top up because there isn't one for 150 miles or whatever.

I'd hope that other manufacturers are better because let's face it, it's a top priority issue and not that hard to code.

I’d hope that other manufacturers are better because let’s face it, it’s a top priority issue and not that hard to code.

What id like to see is the car passing data on the battery and efficiency back through android auto / apple car play

That way, Google maps (which is still by far the best sat nav) could handle the planning of charging based on real time usage data

Cheeky peek inside this months what car whilst at the supermarket from their range test.

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I’d hope that other manufacturers are better because let’s face it, it’s a top priority issue and not that hard to code.

and a feature oddly that Tesla have had for years so you would have expected it to be widely emulated 🙂

and a feature oddly that Tesla have had for years so you would have expected it to be widely emulated

Public charging is literally something that could make or break an EV for me - I'm going to try and get a long demo of the EV I'm considering to see if it's livable along with the range.

a feature oddly that Tesla have had for years so you would have expected it to be widely emulated 🙂

I imagine it’s a data integration issue. Several bits of data need integrating - car info (remaining energy plus energy needed for planned route from the car, data on all available chargers - availability, rate, price across several networks each competing with the other hence not wanting to share data openly). Each piece of this data on in isolation is fairy easy, integrating it is much harder.

My theory…. Google are really good at doing this, and I suspect that they will eventually to do (either developing their own or buying out a smaller company who’s developed a solution) and from then on all the charging providers will desperately want to be part of this system to drive traffic to their chargers (a bit like how Google focussed SEO is a big deal for websites now). That will then drive prices down as it will be a hyper competitive market.

So - the distant future is bright. Next week less so.

I’m off to try and write a charging point data app…

My theory…. Google are really good at doing this, and I suspect that they will eventually to do (either developing their own or buying out a smaller company who’s developed a solution) and from then on all the charging providers will desperately want to be part of this system to drive traffic to their chargers (a bit like how Google focussed SEO is a big deal for websites now). That will then drive prices down as it will be a hyper competitive market.

If Google can get this working and integrate it with maps then that will be a massive win - I never use on board nav, only android auto so being able to plan just via that, with some sort of API pulling charge data from the car... Massive win.

I'll read what others have said at my leisure, so sorry if it's all been said.

I've experienced it in my M3 (standard range) of 2 years (now have an ID.3) and a mates who has the tesla with roof bars.
I managed 2 med MTBs in the back, one all wheels off, one front wheel off. Was fine maybe a little fiddly but not a tight fit. Tesla roof bars go on/off fairly easily. They have some paint protector clear sticky film at the four contact points which spoils the look a little but only close up. if you remove the film after each use then you'd need to buy some more film but you can probably find a source. I go camping / climbing / walking regularly and I never had an issue, also usually had a big bouldering mat with me, the boot is very big when you drop the back seats (they're split something like 33/66).

I've never found charging a big issue and I use the public network all the time, but it's not like petrol, you have to do a bit of pre planning on long journeys and use your common sense, have a plan B , charge in an area where there's more than one option etc. For example, If I was going up the M6 to Scotland at a peak period, I'd assume the tesla superchargers would be chocka at Tebay and Gretna so I'd maybe use another option ie instavolt or Geniepoint in Penrith to give me enough to get to the superchargers at Eurocentral Motherwell which are always empty.

I suppose the only issue I might have had was in the national parks where charging is sparse. If you're going away for a weekend walking in the Lakes, then you are going to want to be doing other things than looking for car charging or you might end up on Sunday night having to look for a charger in Windemere or Keswick before getting on the road home, when you just want to be heading off home. I think it's going to be in these sort of places where charging might get more awkward in the near future with the increase in EV owners, where the vendors can't warrant the capital investment for seasonal and a few busy weekends, or the local planning is a pain, or the local DNO infrastructure can't cope with many DC rapid chargers. If you get a long range model then all the above will probs not be an issue.

So – the distant future is bright. Next week less so.

Or buy a Tesla and drive the future today:-)

I just don't think the car manufactures have really got the grasp of software, they'd prefer you to buy a new car in two years time rather than pump out some extra new feature/fix on a monthly basis although it does look some are getting in the subscription service for heated seats.

The Tesla navigation software for a built in non-option is very impressive, don't forget how inbuilt nav was a beloved high priced option for years in cars and dated very quickly as they couldn't be arsed.

You can hate on Tesla for many things but you can't knock the software and how they have realised that it's an integral part of making the electric car ownership simple and have acted on this.

Or buy a Tesla and drive the future today:-)

I just don’t think the car manufactures have really got the grasp of software, they’d prefer you to buy a new car in two years time rather than pump out some extra new feature/fix on a monthly basis although it does look some are getting in the subscription service for heated seats.

The Tesla navigation software for a built in non-option is very impressive, don’t forget how inbuilt nav was a beloved high priced option for years in cars and dated very quickly as they couldn’t be arsed.

You can hate on Tesla for many things but you can’t knock the software and how they have realised that it’s an integral part of making the electric car ownership simple.

I totally agree with this. Hence earlier comment re “if it was a hatchback”

The i4 choice has also brought into focus the issues (non EV related) about options gamesmanship. So much stuff that you think should be standard on a “nice” car that aren’t on this £55k car. E.g. - adaptive cruise control - need to buy a £1k+ pack for that. Really?!?

they’d prefer you to buy a new car in two years time rather than pump out some extra new feature/fix on a monthly basis

Agree, although OTA or at least DIY updates are a thing for many now.

adaptive cruise control – need to buy a £1k+ pack for that.

It's included on my £30k Hyundai 🙂

The Supercharger network is trialling opening them up to other EVs since May, we've had guys at work charging up the Vivaro Es recently. Hopefully it's a success and they go national!

Adaptive cruise and steering control comes with a Tesla as standard Molgrip, it uses cameras not radar. You only pay extra for the Full self drive.

I had adaptive cruise on a £4k Fabia as well if that helps.

Also, for the model 3 owner who doesn't like the headlights, maybe they need calibrating, they're absolutely brilliant on mine. 👍

I went for a confirmation drive in an i4 today - just to check I've not made a mistake.
Not a chance, it'd blinkin' lovely. It has that "high end BMW" look and feel to it. The ride and handling is spot and it's properly quick. Infotainment is also excellent. I'd say better than the Tesla as it's controllable via the iDrive controller thingy rather than needing to jab at a touchscreen.
It's definitely compromised for rear seat and boot space, but the payback for that is a car that looks and feels sporty rather than the SUV/Crossover way that almost everything else seems to have gone. Happy days.

Also, for the model 3 owner who doesn’t like the headlights, maybe they need calibrating, they’re absolutely brilliant on mine. 👍

They’ve been check by Tesla and are ok. They’re just not very good. They are deliberately a lower lumen so Tesla don’t have to fit headlight washers.

A bit like the comment above on Adaptive Cruise on the BMW. They’re ok, but you expect more from a car of this price.

Also, for the model 3 owner who doesn’t like the headlights, maybe they need calibrating, they’re absolutely brilliant on mine. 👍

They also sneaked a matrix version in later cars which could project Tesla against the wall.

Anyone else think the Tesla logo looks like a uterus and ovaries?

Interesting thread, I have a lease (Tusker, through salary sacrifice) Q4 Etron Quattro on order for next June delivery. I don’t need to commit till about Easter 23. It is bigger and cheaper than the Tesla 3, bikes go on towbar as with Tesla, and I’m used to Audi. I’m wondering about a Model 3 …..

They also sneaked a matrix version in later cars which could project Tesla against the wall.

They’re the rubbish ones I’m referring to. Fancy matrix LED lights that don’t actually do anything useful. The ones in my old car could do all sorts, like blocking out oncoming traffic and leaving the other bits on full beam, bend round corners, etc. These can just write ‘Tesla’ on a wall.

lso, for the model 3 owner who doesn’t like the headlights, maybe they need calibrating, they’re absolutely brilliant on mine. 👍

They’ve been check by Tesla and are ok. They’re just not very good.

Mine were pretty poor aswell (July 19 reg), my mates are brilliant by comparison (Mar 21 China build)

Mine is a ‘facelift’ December 2020 car (black trim and door handles). So it has the latest matrix lights.

Pretty sure Tesla had a recall on certain versions of those matrix lights in some markets.