So my Model 3 LR turns 3 years old this week, booked in for MOT later today (that was a ballache in itself, been cancelled 2 times, 3rd time lucky eh). Covered 51450 miles in that time.
Thought I'd summarise the ownership over that time, costs and problems etc.
In general the car has been a joy to own, it has a few niggles that I'll address but overall I've really enjoyed owning it and really struggle to comprehend the hate that these cars have spawned, albeit mainly on socials.
So we've had to contact Tesla 4 times, 3 of those were covered by the rangers, only once have we had to take it to their service centre at Dartford.
When we picked it up they hadn't installed the USB C ports and wireless charging pads, that was carried out a month after we picked it up.
The driver side heated seat element failed and we had the ranger out twice to do that, once for diagnostics and returned a week later to replace seat base. They also replace some parts on boot struts as part of a recall whilst here.
Earlier this year we had a 'Tyres on the Drive' company come and replace all 4 tyres (£450) and a few days later one of the TPS failed to transmit pressure data to the dash resulting in a puncture warning. Contacted Tesla and they booked us in to replace it but it couldn't be done by the rangers. Mrs decided to take the Model Y out for a spin whilst at the Dartford site to save sitting around waiting, as she wanted one since we picked this up, 2 birds 1 stone etc! (She didn't like it..)
Replaced wiper blades and pollen filter (£50) this year and regularly swap wheels every 6250 miles. Had one wheel refurbed (£80) when she brushed a kerb parking it..
And that's it, painless ownership!
The only niggles that really bug me are more software related, phantom braking and it's over protective lane "Take control of vehicle" beeping on the screen when it thinks you're wandering over a white line. The main issue for me is the paint/stone chips, they are horrendous, constantly finding new chips everytime I wash it, not had a car like this for stone chips, I dab the chips with a touch up kit from Chipex (£42).
I keep it clean using Bilt Hamber/Autoglym products. Usually once a week in winter and fortnightly in summer. The white interior has surprisingly kept really clean, considering i'm HGV Technician and the hidden dirt that comes with that job.
As it's my main commuter (40 mile round trip daily) I get to charge it at work once a week and around twice a week in winter. Rarely charge at home and Mrs uses superchargers when she has to visit friends up the country. So charging costs have been minimal.
We normally look to buy a new car after 3 years, but we've been so impressed we are keeping this. She road tested the BYD Seal a few months ago and was impressed by that, but is ultimately put off with having to use normal charge stations and not the Tesla ones.
So here's to a few more miles yet
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