Model 3 vs. M3 at Thunderhill

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
04/30/2019 at 13:10 • Filed to: None

1.9 second difference on a standing start hot lap, but said he didn’t get a good start in the M3, and he had oversteer on the first corner, AND he had a redo in the Tesla because he went off on the first go. Come on... glad they did this test, but use a real driver and try to at least get some kind of comparable result between the two (even if you are going to give the Tesla the advantage of a standing start). Obvious that Top Gear knew the headline/cover they wanted before they even started.

“Ah, that’s fairly comprehensive, then.” GTFAC

Personally, I think that it’s great that the Model 3 outperforms the M3, regardless of how flawed this comparison is. Competition is great for us enthusiasts, and it will make all the cars in this class even better.

DISCUSSION (12)

His Stigness > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/30/2019 at 13:44

I got bored at work so I started watching a KBB review of the Model S. A few minutes in he couldn’t get the door handles to work.

On a car that, as he said, has been around since 2012.

Wow. Quality.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > His Stigness
04/30/2019 at 13:46

Yeah, not great. Practicality is not exactly what they seem to be going for.

Elon himself admitted that the “falcon wing” doors on the X were a huge mistake.

Sure, this stuff gets media coverage and is a fun parlor trick to show your friends, but in the end, it has to work.

412GTI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/30/2019 at 13:49

I thought that was a pretty good video. The Model 3 does “beat” the M3 is many aspects, yet the feel or soul is missing. I’ve only been in one Tesla and the party trick acceleration is great, but it’s not a sports sedan. I think it’ll be interesting to see how the Roadster performs in this regard.

His Stigness > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/30/2019 at 13:57

The falcon doors are absolutely hilarious. The handles are a good idea , but as with most of Tesla’s shit, it was poorly executed. At least when Porsche did it there is still a lip on the handle that I’m sure you can pull out if the motor fails.

But their biggest problem is they don’t test anything. I just had a conversation with a customer this morning about that. All the major brands get shit when they delay a product, but as he said, he’d rather they iron out all the kinks BEFORE selling the product.

Something Tesla will never do as people in The Valley don’t think like that. Even though Tesla employs people from mainstream car brands, they’re drowned out by the valley bros who have no clue how people think in the real world.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 412GTI
04/30/2019 at 14:01

It was okay, except for the issues with the respective lap times. A standing-start one lap comparison is fine, but once the Model 3 went off and he got a redo, the M3 should’ve also gotten a redo to see if it could get a better start off the blocks . A full second of that lap difference is probably in the first 5 seconds of the lap.

The new Roadster looks to be a world-beater.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > His Stigness
04/30/2019 at 14:04

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/m4chckstsealgp4yevps.mp4

Yes, Tesla customers are all beta testers (some of them seem to love this, despite paying tens of thousands of dollars for the privi lege).

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/30/2019 at 14:09

Excited to see more of these at driving events, may be best suited towards an autocross or time trial event given the battery consumption.

That being said, not many folks would cross-shop these.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol
04/30/2019 at 14:15

Best suited for the drag strip. Would be fun to see at autocross, but... 4,072 lbs.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol
04/30/2019 at 14:17

Tesla should set up a hill climb course somewhere in California with Superchargers at the top. 10 minute session, 20 minute charge, repeat.

His Stigness > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/30/2019 at 14:31

Oh shit, I forgot it did that to him.

PRE-PRODUCTION MODEL*

But yeah, that was not good, at all.

BigBlock440 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/30/2019 at 15:26

But does it beat a Mustang?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BigBlock440
04/30/2019 at 15:42

Nope!