It’s been 2 years since I sold my BMW M240i and bought a Tesla Model 3 Performance (2020). Let’s take an in depth dive into the car and my thoughts about the first two years of ownership.
The Switch to Electric
I have always been a petrol head but over the past few years I have become increasingly interested in electric vehicles. Two years ago I finally gave in and bought a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance. Tesla has always appealed to me, for it’s cool technology and nice yet simple design that sets them apart in a car market which is flooded with futuristic spaceship looking designs.
Performance
The performance of the Tesla Model 3 is nothing short of jaw dropping. This car delivers an instant and exhilarating burst of power that can pin you to your seat in a way no petrol car I’ve driven ever has. The acceleration is violent, yet it feels completely controlled thanks to the all wheel drive system and smart traction management. There’s no lag, no hesitation, no wheelspin, and no tyre screeching, just a seamless surge of power from the moment you touch the accelerator. The handling and braking are equally impressive, offering a level of precision and confidence. Unlike high performance petrol cars that announce their presence with a roar, the Model 3 lets you experience all this power in near silence, allowing you to enjoy the thrill of speed without drawing undue attention. This can be a significant advantage, as it lets you enjoy the car’s capabilities without the negative perceptions often associated with loud engines.
Infotainment and Sound System
One of the unique features of the Model 3 is its simplistic interior design. Gone are the traditional instrument cluster and array of physical buttons. Everything is controlled via a single, large touchscreen that dominates the centre of the dashboard. Initially, I was sceptical about this shift, but I found the transition to be surprisingly smooth. Within a week, using the screen to manage everything from climate control to navigation felt intuitive and natural. The infotainment system is not just functional; it’s snappy and genuinely fun to use. The ability to watch YouTube or Netflix while parked is a great bonus that has made waiting in the car an enjoyable experience. The lack of a conventional layout might put off some traditionalists, but for anyone open to embracing new technology, it’s a fantastic leap forward.
However, it’s worth noting that the Model 3 does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which could be a drawback for those heavily invested in those ecosystems. Despite this, the Tesla app is excellent, offering features that have become indispensable to me. The convenience of using my mobile phone to lock and unlock the car is something I would struggle to give up now. The app’s ability to pre-condition the cabin, heating or cooling it before I get in, is a feature I use constantly, making the car comfortable in all weather conditions.
The sound system is top tier. It’s the best quality sound system I’ve ever experienced in a car, with deep bass and incredible clarity. Whether I’m listening to music, a podcast, or watching a show while parked, the audio experience is exceptional, adding another layer of enjoyment to every journey.
Comfort for Long Distances
Despite its performance focused nature, the Tesla Model 3 is surprisingly comfortable on long journeys. The seats provide excellent support, and the spacious cabin makes even extended trips feel less tiring. One of the best features for long drives is the Autopilot system, which takes over much of the driving workload, significantly reducing driver fatigue. It’s not a fully autonomous system, and you still need to be attentive, but it makes hours of motorway driving more manageable. Combined with the quietness of the electric powertrain, this makes the Model 3 an ideal companion for road trips.
Range, Charging, Supercharging and Battery
Range anxiety was a slight concern before switching to electric, but the Model 3 has largely put those fears to rest. In the summer, I can expect around 250 miles from a full charge, which is sufficient for most journeys. Winter does see a reduction in range due to the cold affecting battery efficiency and increased use of the car’s heating system, but the drop is manageable, around 10-15%.
Charging, both at home and on the road, has been a surprisingly easy experience. I use the Octopus Energy Intelligent Go tariff for home charging, which makes it super affordable. The current tariff is 7p/kWh for 6 hours per night which means it costs around £4.50 for a full charge at home. When out and about, Tesla’s Supercharger network is great, offering fast and fairly inexpensive charging options that make long distance travel straightforward. We tend to need to use the toilet before the car needs charging, so any stops we make we plug the car in for 5-10 minutes while we use the facilities.
I have not experienced any noticeable or huge battery degradation. This is impressive, considering the car is now almost five years old and has 62,000 miles on the clock. The range has remained pretty consistent, with no significant drop in performance or capacity.
Over the Air Updates
One of Tesla’s coolest features is its ability to receive over the air updates, continuously improving the car and adding new features. This aspect is fantastic, as it keeps the car feeling fresh and up to date without needing to visit a service centre. However, not all updates are welcome. A recent recall update introduced a ‘strike’ system for the Autopilot feature, which can deactivate Autopilot after five strikes. These strikes are given if you don’t apply enough torque to the steering wheel while using Autopilot. While I understand the importance of driver engagement, it feels somewhat unfair to risk losing a feature I paid for because of a software update. This leads me to question what future updates might bring and whether they could impose further restrictions in the future. The prospect of updates potentially punishing drivers for speeding or other behaviours is something that sits uneasily with me.
Build Quality
This is where the car, and Tesla in general, shows its cracks. The car’s build quality is a significant let down. Almost from the start, I noticed rattles coming from various parts of the car. Despite multiple attempts to fix them using DIY solutions like sticky foam tape under certain parts, the noises persist, often migrating to new areas of the car. The current symphony of rattles seems to be coming from the dashboard, rear seats, passenger B pillar, and driver’s door card. Conversations with other Tesla owners and a quick glance at Tesla forums confirm that these issues are widespread. Disappointingly, even the newer Tesla models haven’t shown significant improvements in this area, with a friend reporting similar issues with his 2024 Model Y. In addition to the rattles, I’ve noticed paint flaking off around the wheel arches after just two years and 30,000 miles on the clock, a problem that forced me to install mud flaps to hide the flaking paint and prevent further damage. For a car at this price point, these issues are hard to overlook and detract significantly from the overall ownership experience.
Issues I’ve Had with the Car in 2 Years of Ownership
While the Model 3 excels in many areas, my ownership experience hasn’t been without its frustrations. Early on, I noticed that the steering wheel was slightly off centre, requiring a four wheel alignment at a Tesla Service Centre. This did improve the issue but still left the wheel pointing slightly to the right. This service cost over £450 as the car was out of warranty. Additionally, I’ve had persistent issues with the rear suspension, which produces squeaks and sometimes loud bangs over bumps or uneven road surfaces. Tesla quoted over £300 just to investigate these issues, with any actual repairs likely to push costs well over £700. As the car is out of warranty, I’ve been reluctant to go through with these repairs due to the cost, especially since finding third party garages capable of handling Tesla repairs is still a challenge. I’ve been told the fault is not dangerous so I have left it as it is for the moment.
Tyre issues have also been a source of frustration. Two of the factory fitted Pirelli P Zero tyres developed bubbles on the sidewalls when the car was just two and a half years old, requiring replacement at a cost of £315 per tyre. A recent puncture close to the sidewall required another costly replacement. While these issues are more related to the tyres themselves than Tesla, they highlight the importance of considering the running costs of high performance tyres on electric vehicles. I’ve unexpectedly spent £950 in the past year on 3 tyres that still had plenty of tread on them.
Conclusion
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance is a fantastic car in many ways. Its performance is exhilarating, the technology is cutting edge, and the overall driving experience is easy and enjoyable. The convenience of using the mobile app to control features and the incredible sound system adds to the experience. However, the persistent build quality issues, coupled with the high cost of maintenance and repairs, have made me question my long term commitment to this vehicle. I’m torn between my love for the electric driving experience and my frustration with the car’s flaws. While I’m keen to stay in the electric vehicle space, the reports of ongoing build quality issues even in the newer Tesla models make me cautious of upgrading to newer Tesla. For now, I’ll continue to enjoy the aspects of the Model 3 that I love, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on the market for my next electric car choice.
