Crashnburn80's Tesla Model 3 Performance Longer Range Build

Dropped off the EV01 wheels today at the wheel shop for a color change, to make them darker. Looking forward to the outcome and hoping I made the correct choices.

And. Because Tesla.

https://youtu.be/KruhuPijOjc

 

How long did it take you to learn the ins and outs of this Tesla? To me it seems like the learning curve would take a while with all the gizmo's and settings.

 

The 20s are really growing on me.



I'm concerned I might not like the 18s on the car. Re-coating them this week will cost nearly $900. So need to decide if I need to abort now.

Stock setup weighs 56lbs a corner.
18" EV01s weigh 46lbs a corner w/ Goodyear electricdrive GT tires
19" EV01s weigh 53lbs a corner w/ Goodyear electricdrive GT tires
The brakes and lugs will remove an additional 1.8lbs per corner regardless of the setup.

The 19s are still lighter than stock while being far more aero efficient and having a more usable tire.

 

The learning curve is on-going. Tesla does a phenomenal job of prepping you for all the essentials before you get the car, many 'how-to' videos sent to your app. Just today I learned the car can plot G-load graphs in the track mode setting. Guess what I am doing tomorrow. It is different for sure, and it makes other brands seem obsolete. First week+ are certainly a learning curve, but it is a simple one that is for the better.

 

Well. Shit. I decided to pivot to the 19s, but my 18s have already been prepped for powder coating, so they are scuffed up and not returnable. Very costly oops second guessing myself. I ordered the 18s immediately after getting the car purely on data. But the more time I spent with the car, the more I realized I wouldn't like downsizing from 20s to 18s and the range is a complete non-issue. Sigh. In better news TireRack offered to cover the return shipping on my tires for a 100% refund if purchasing another set. The same tire is available in the 19" size.

The car received its first software update yesterday. Among the new features were an updated energy app that could show real time usage, and a breakdown by which systems were using the energy. This was exciting because real time usage is what I wanted for comparing the wheel efficiency. Except I did not get that feature. There are 2 user configurable update settings, standard and advanced. If you are in the standard setting you only get updates after they have been out a while and vetted. The new energy app features appear to be in the advanced roll-out. I've switched the car to use the advanced roll out, but there is no way to push a request for an update.

Borrowed image

 

Go ahead and powder coat the 18's. You can probably flip them.

 

My thought is to take $900 off the purchase price and see if someone wants to buy them for dirt cheap. They can then powder coat them to match their car, or whatever they want. If that doesn't work, I'll get them coated and then sell them.

 

sub'd for the inevitable molten salt reactor mod

 

This will not be a repeat of the Jeep non-stop dumpster fire.

 

more like 3 Mile Island
https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/05/micro_molten_salt_reactor/

 

We took delivery of our M3LR in May 2022 and it's probably one of the most well-rounded cars that we have ever owned. It's actually my wife's car and I wanted her to buy a 4R PRO(for obvious reasons lol) but she was dead set on a M3LR. I'm pleasantly surprised by the fit and finish as well as the performance. I was quite concerned hearing about panels gaps and random issues online so we went over it with a fine tooth comb when we took delivery but it was absolutely perfect. Ours came with the new upgrades like matrix lights, AMD Ryzen processor, new door trims, power trunk, etc.

 

Just need the over the air update to enable the full headlight matrix functionality at some point. The light show feature does show off some of their capability. Agreed on the well roundedness. Storage is crazy, the car is mind-blowingly fast and fun to drive, range is plenty, and operating costs are virtually nothing. Kinda makes me want to go into the office instead of work from home, just so I have somewhere to drive to.

 

I find myself wanting to drive it more than I initially anticipated. We charge at home 100% of the time so the cost is relatively low compared to gas. Range is more than we will need as a daily. We only charge it to 80% which is 286 miles and find the range to be pretty accurate if we drive conservatively. I use Autopilot every time I drive since the first day and it's actually bad in the sense that when I hop into the Tacoma, I catch myself not paying as much attention to the road because of the habit of driving the Tesla. I also startle myself in the Tacoma because I got used to the single pedal driving that I end up braking late.

 

I don't drive mine so conservatively, it is way too much fun and the range is plenty so there isn't the need to nurse it. In 20+ years I've never really used cruise control, because I like to drive. However, autopilot is on another level and amazing for times you just don't want to deal with the road, traffic etc, just let the car do the work and relax. Going back to my Tacoma is a very eye opening experience. The plan is to keep the 1st Gen forever as the weekend warrior vehicle, but I'm pretty certain it will be my last ICE vehicle.

 

With my Prius I found myself falling asleep on the 8 mile freeway drive home from work (pre pandemic). Traffic was especially brutal then due to bridge construction at a key point in between work and home (4 years, since completed) and the trip was often 35-40 minutes. I felt like an old man with narcolepsy. I was semi tempted for any sort of automation which might allow me to do work or something to keep my brain active during those commutes so I put in a deposit on a 3.

A MT eliminated the problem for me, though the pandemic changed traffic and we’ve since moved so that commute is a permanent thing of the past.

There is a lot to love about a Tesla but they lost me as a customer with Elon’s antics and idiocy. More specifically, they got a permanent ban from me when they returned my deposit to my dad’s bank account and couldn’t help me track it down after I canceled when it became clear that the tax credit would expire before the 35k price was an option.

Granted, the 3 was never explicitly offered at 27.5, but often marketed at 35 with that 7500 tax credit dangled as a carrot. I would want a $25k model 3 and even more so a Y. But I don’t know that I’ll ever pay more than 30 to buy a vehicle. For some reason that’s just a hard cutoff for me right now. At the time I found 32 as too much of a stretch, the Odyssey being my wife’s decision to purchase. I had qualms about that price tag too. I couldn’t do full price on a Tacoma, had to go used. Me and my strange brain.

For equal money, I’d much rather own a Rivian than a 3. The 3 just feels like a BMW felt to me as a kid, something shouting privilege to the world. The Rivian does so even more loudly but for some reason I don’t find it nearly as offensive, perhaps since it’s so unique. That likely changes with time. I did see a R1S the other night, that’s the one I think has the most appeal. But other than the environmental aspect, I’d rather have a 4 Runner. I’m just not at all interested in driving performance at speed anymore. I drive slow or slower, as I’m usually hauling cargo, kids or sometimes horses. I prioritize safety and cherish extra minutes behind the wheel because there are so few of them these days. Even kids screaming potty jokes in the back seat don’t bug me. Wireless CarPlay for nav and tunes is all the tech I ever want.

I could see buying an EV minivan down the line. The Odyssey actually feels like it should have an electric option. It’s partway there on the tech. I want my buttons though. I want things to fiddle with. Otherwise I will just fall asleep.

What about seat heat? Touchscreen for that? Honestly the interior is a big turnoff for me. My favorite interior is the ‘05 RC Tacoma. Same basic spartan feel, zero tech to speak of, shifter to keep me awake. I’ve stopped locking the doors on it, even in parking lots, no need, nothing of value inside. Basic climate controls and that’s about it.

My dad had his 3 taken when he got out and left his phone inside. It’s a legit target for opportunistic theft. He doesn’t drive it to the beach either, uses his ‘06 Tacoma for that now. He loves it but babies it and I’m sure I’d do the same. Maybe when I’m older but then I’d want a 2 seater. Or maybe a 1 seater and full grumpy old man with no friends. Entirely different purpose than I have any use for now.

TLDR, I’m a fan of the engineering and will enjoy that part of the discussion but I don’t think I can ever love this vehicle. I had hope that the cyber truck would be the ticket but it’s just lunacy. Ears to the ground in case there is a future model more in tune with my preferences. The Y is closer but not nearly enough to draw me in.

 

My commute pre-pandemic was 2.5 hours round trip every day. The bay area is no joke. You just get used to it. A lot of people think getting an EV saves them money but in reality that isn't the case. Registration is higher, insurance is higher, cost is higher. IMO, getting a EV now is only if you want the tech. You're much better getting a gas efficient beater if cost is a real factor. Ditto on new car prices. They are insane.

 

OEM wheel/tire setups
Tesla 3 long range w/ 18" aero wheels (23lb wheel + 25lb tire, 48lb setup): range 258 miles
Tesla 3 long range w/ 18" aero wheels and aero covers removed (21.6lb wheel + 25lb tire, 46.6lb setup): range 249 miles
Tesla 3 long range w/ 19" sport wheels (25lb wheel + 24lb tire, 49lb setup): range 334 miles
Tesla 3 Performance with 20" wheels (32lb wheel + 24lb tire, 56lb setup): range 315 miles <-Ultra high performance sticky summer tires.

The planned setup using Ultra High Performance All Seasons
18" EV01 aero wheels (21lb wheel + 25lb tire, 46lb setup).
Aero efficiency was claimed to be the same as OEM aeros (3.4%), using a just slightly lighter setup, but then saving another 1.8lbs off rotating mass with brakes and lugs bringing it down to 44.2lbs, plus much newer and likely more advanced low rolling resistance EV tuned tires (Goodyear ElectricGT). <-This is definitely the most optimal setup numbers standpoint, which should exceed the performance of Tesla's longest range model.

But. Course change, still using Ultra High Performance All Seasons
After spending time with the car, range is really a non-issue and I'd rather have the more aggressive stance of larger wheels than drop from 20s to 18s, but still make improvements in both performance and range over stock. So the new plan:
19" EV01 aero wheels (26lbs + 27lb tire, 53lb setup)
With the EV01s being aero equivalents of OEM they should see about a +3.4% range gain. Looking at the OEM 19" wheel package which is slightly lighter, applying 3.4% would push range to about 345 miles. Hard to say how much the 4lb increase vs the Sports (and -3lb vs Performance) would decrease that number compared to the sport rating, vs the likely increased efficiency of the newer EV specific performance tires. Pirelli does have a competitor in the space with their P Zero All Season Plus Elect which saves 1lb, but they are a bit narrower and not rated to the speed of the 3 Performance unlike the Goodyear ElectricGT, plus the tread on the GTs looks more all season ideal.

Also worth noting the 3.4% aero wheel cover improvement was based on speeds of 50mph. Aerodynamic drag is a square function of speed, meaning it has significantly more impact at higher speeds, like on the freeway. So at 65mph the aero cover would provide 1.69x the improvement vs 50mph rating of 3.4%. I point this out because when concerned about max range it is often a long highway trip at higher speeds, not low speed around town for 100s of miles. 1.69x improvement on the 3.4% would provide about 5.75% improvement takes the 334 milage rating to 353 miles. Taking the 3 Performance to from 315 miles range to 350 miles would be a 10% increase in range (and 10% reduced charging cost), with reduced rotating mass leading to even quicker acceleration. Certainly isn't as good as the 18" setup in terms of weight savings/range/performance, but I'm looking forward to the outcome. Yeah, long post.

 

Love mine

 

We are not the same type of drivers, as we've established before. I am all in on the power and performance and like extreme performance vehicles, its just in my blood. I wouldn't drive a Prius regardless of gas prices, I think they are great cars for the right demographic but the vehicle is uninspiring to me.

Agreed MTs are a lot of fun. I kicked around a few like an S4 and STI before coming back to the Model 3. The entry 3 RWD has no appeal to me. The appeal for me is in the vehicle performance. A vehicle to me has never been a point A to B device. It has an entertainment element. People either love or hate Elon (caution politics!) but there is zero doubt he has advanced the electric car adoption on another level.

Equal money for a Rivian? Rivians are 2x the price of a model 3. I ordered a Rivian and for many reasons decided it wasn't actually the best fit and ended up cancelling it. I see they still say "start at $73k" on their site but they eliminated that model and forced everyone to the more expensive Adventure model. They are now about $87k base and $97k+ for the long range battery IIRC. Awesome trucks for sure, and by far the best truck EV. But also, not really a great EV in many ways. A truck is inherently inefficient vs a car, and everything done to make it more truck like reduces the efficiency. Opt for the $15k long range battery option to get 400 miles advertised range instead of 315 and you are $100k+ into price tag, put the stock ATs on the $100k 400 mile truck and the range drops to 360 miles. So range is now similar to a Model 3 long-range which is nearly 1/2 the price. Except the latest Teslas (like the model 3) are now using ultra efficient heat pumps, vs startups like Rivian using highly inefficient coil resistance heaters and electric AC. A modern Tesla will take a 20% range hit with the heat on, the Rivian will take a 40% range hit with their dated tech. Meaning that 400 mile Rivian with ATs then falls to 216 while the 358 mile Tesla only drops to 286. Brutal efficiency loss. It is worth noting that the Model 3 also has the lowest coefficient of drag of any mass produced vehicle of all time, meaning it is the most efficient vehicle moving through the air, beating out the previous record holder in the Model S. The Rivian will expend far more energy to do the same thing.
EDIT: I forgot Rivian introduced the dual motor (vs quad) small battery model that is rated for 260 miles for $73k. They eliminated the previous entry 320 mile quad motor truck for that price, and told everyone to upgrade to the $87k Adventure version or cancel their order since they were discontinued that model to streamline production.

But where this all comes into play, the Tesla weighs 4k lbs with an 82kWh battery vs the Rivian at 7k lbs with a 180kWh battery (400mi version). The Rivian is massively more power hungry and far less efficient and weighs a ridiculous amount more. At a level 2 charger the Tesla can charge 44 miles in one hour, whereas the Rivian can charge only 25. The Tesla has a huge Tesla Supercharger network where you can charge 175 miles in 15 minutes, Rivian does not. When we wheel it is typically a several hour drive on the highway over the pass to the trailhead. Running ATs to wheel, plus the optional skids (which would further reduce range performance) and the HVAC on, I'd get to the trailhead with a battery far lower than I'd like. Rivians charge so slow, and don't have the Tesla superchargers that it just wouldn't be practical to charge before wheeling. I'd need to go there the night before and find a hotel with a charger or something. If you are to plug both vehicles into a standard 15A 110v outlet as found in most houses, the Tesla charges at 4 miles/hr, the Rivian at 0.6-1.2 miles/hr, which barely even registers for the Rivian.

But the real kicker, is I can buy the Tesla Performance Model 3 and an older double cab Tacoma to have the best of both worlds, while also saving $20k vs just buying a Rivian. In terms of practicality the 3 is just far more efficient and usable as a daily and distance driver vs the Rivian, plus gives me more flexibility at a fraction of the price. If long range is a non-issue, much of this may not matter. I plan on driving the Tesla over the pass or multiple passes to Eastern WA and across state. The Rivian certainly has the capacity to get there, but charging it to get back would be a major concern.

As for leaving your phone key in the in the car, it is no different than leaving your physical key in the car. Easier to forget when you don't need real metal keys anymore though.

 

Midnight Silver Metallic was the color I ordered the first time around. Sharp color.