Tesla Model 3 News and Discussion

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#2845285 8-Jan-2022 14:07

The thought of no spare wheel bugs me a little, tire inflation kits accepted, because we have recently had a tire wrecked by a construction screw going through the tread and sidewall. I don’t believe once the screw was removed that the hole could have been plugged and re-inflated successfully. And even if it was inflated, that it would have been safe to drive on. When taken to the tire shop, it was a write off.

So for that reason, have any NZ Model 3 owners sourced either a spacesaver or full sized spare wheel? There is a US based company (Modern Spare) that produce a kit that includes the spacesaver wheel, jack, wheel brace and carry case which is about $NZ1000 incl freight. But I wonder if there is even the option of a full sized steel wheel to have as a spare that can be sourced locally? The kind of thing that could be stored in the garage at home and just loaded in the boot for longer trips away. Yes, I concede that it would take up a bunch of space, but the underfloor in the boot and the frunk make up for that, don’t they?

Many years ago my Dad re-engined his Mk IV Zephyr with a 302 V8 which meant we had to carry the spare wheel in the boot. We seemed to cope okay.

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Obraik

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#2845301 8-Jan-2022 15:03

There's no reason you couldn't do that if you're willing to sacrafice the space. The only thing to remember would be to take the spare out of the boot when you go for a WoF as I believe if you do have a spare present, it has to be secured to pass (although that might not apply since the boot might be considered a seperate space to occupants). I haven't done it myself but I've seen people on the NZ FB group talking about getting one.

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Dingbatt

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#2845379 8-Jan-2022 16:55

Obraik:

There's no reason you couldn't do that if you're willing to sacrafice the space. The only thing to remember would be to take the spare out of the boot when you go for a WoF as I believe if you do have a spare present, it has to be secured to pass (although that might not apply since the boot might be considered a seperate space to occupants). I haven't done it myself but I've seen people on the NZ FB group talking about getting one.

I guess what I’m getting at though, is the Model 3 some weird and wonderful stud configuration that would mean you can’t get a spare wheel?

Edit: Agree it would need to be removed for WoFs. For local driving where ‘rescue’ is at hand I envision the spare living in the garage.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Obraik

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#2845401 8-Jan-2022 18:20

From what I can see, the Model 3 has a 5X114.3 bolt pattern, which seems to be shared amoungst a number of vehicles, such as the Honda Civic. Would just be a case of making sure the diameters are correct and that there's no interference with the brakes.

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afe66

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#2845407 8-Jan-2022 18:36

Maybe I'm lucky but in 30+ yrs of driving I have not yet had a puncture...

Not including the time an idiot stabbed the side wall of my leaf causing slow leak which didn't stop me driving to tire shop and getting it replaced.

So it would be strange if I went on about it being very important to have a spare tire.

The only tire I ever changed was helping a friend late at night next to Notre-dame cathedral in Paris!

I wonder if other people can remember where/when they changed their first tire

lxsw20

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#2845416 8-Jan-2022 19:48

5x114.3 is common as mud. Pretty standard for cars to come with a tube of goo and a pump rather than a spare now days.

Dingbatt

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#2845437 8-Jan-2022 21:07

lxsw20: 5x114.3 is common as mud. Pretty standard for cars to come with a tube of goo and a pump rather than a spare now days.

So a full size rim, but not a space saver if the size is for vehicles that go without a spare?

@afe66 I went many years without a flat tire as well, but certainly of recent times there seems to be a lot of construction debris on our roads, the worst of which was the screw I mentioned. Which ruined an almost brand new tire. If I had not had a spare the options would have been leave the car on the roadside or put it on a flatbed. That is the third puncture in the family in 12 months, so either we have just been unlucky or it’s an indication of the debris on Auckland roads.

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Obraik

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#2845438 8-Jan-2022 21:14

You also get four years of Roadside Assistance by Tesla, which includes bringing a loaner wheel to you should you get a puncture. Of course, that's not a great help to you if you're out of coverage and it could also be an hour or two before they get to you...but I've seen a few people use the service with success

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Technofreak

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#2845480 8-Jan-2022 22:38

I've got free roadside assist. The car only came with a pump and Goo. I've just got a spacesaver spare for the very rare occasion I might need it. Fortunately the car has a tyre well so it wasn't a problem finding a place to put it. Don't forget you'll also need a jack and wheel spanner.

Previous car 400,000km in 18 years, one flat tyre, original spare still in the tyre well. History would show that it's very unlikely I'll need it but for peace of mind it's worth it.

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Dingbatt

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#2845618 9-Jan-2022 13:32

And while I’m questioning extras, I have read a lot of criticism of the paint job on the Model 3. That was probably true of the early ones, particularly out of Fremont, but what about the ones we are getting here in NZ, which I believe are from China? I ask because if the paint is inferior, do you need to factor in PPF and/or ceramic coating? Has any GZer done this? At what sort of cost?

The thing is, while a rear wheel drive M3 can be got for just over $60K (after rebate), or just under $64K if you choose red, is it’s paint any worse than other brands selling ~$60K vehicles? It certainly didn’t look like it on the ones in the Auckland showroom (Red, Grey and White on display). The front of the M3 does seem to be a bug magnet though.

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Obraik

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#2845619 9-Jan-2022 13:43

I have a 2019 from Fremont. I don't have any PPF or Ceramic coatings on it and yes, I do have some stone chips on the bonnet and fender, this was mostly due to a stock truck flying through a newly sealed section of road with lots of loose chips. I don't think it's more chipped than any other cars I've had - the 2012 Nissan Skyline I had previously had a few chips that had started to rust. Beyond the front section of the car, I haven't noticed any wear or tear and with my two bucket wash method I have no swirling in the paint.

Next time I buy a new car, whether it be a Tesla or any vehicle, I might look at putting some PPF on the front section of the car but I do have concerns that over the years it might discolour compared to the areas that have none. I'm also still not convinced it's worth the extra cost over just having the affected areas resprayed a few years down the line.

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michaelmurfy

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#2845622 9-Jan-2022 13:52

I got quoted $3490 total for protection film + Ceramic Coating. Given I've had issues with the paint of my current car (a Kia Seltos) I think I am going to go for at-least a Ceramic Coating.

Full Front Protection Pack (option 3)

- Full Bonnet

- Front Bumper

- Full Front Guards

- Headlights

- A-Pillars

- Mirrors

- Door Cups & Door Edges

- Top of the rear bumper

Front part of the sills (free)

Also had a test drive Model 3 Long Range overnight and took it up to Palmerston North. I am about to place an order now for the Long Range having experienced the entry level model, long range and performance now.

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Dingbatt

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#2845623 9-Jan-2022 13:52

Thanks @Obraik , that’s what I wanted to know.

As with a lot of tall poppies, it is blown out of proportion and the paint on Teslas is probably not a lot worse than from other consumer brand manufacturers. So no more protection required than for any other new vehicle to avoid things like stone chips. I guess the only thing is stuff that would hit the plastic grill of an ICE smacks a Model 3 in the face.

Edit: Cheers @michaelmurfy So a full cover PPF + ceramic is probably almost the same as a full wrap (~$6000). Therefore a White M3 wrapped in Red, is going to be cheaper than a Red M3 wrapped in clear. As long as you don’t get the door sills etc wrapped @ $500 per door.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Technofreak

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#2845626 9-Jan-2022 14:02

michaelmurfy:

I got quoted $3490 total for protection film + Ceramic Coating. Given I've had issues with the paint of my current car (a Kia Seltos) I think I am going to go for at-least a Ceramic Coating.

Full Front Protection Pack (option 3)

- Full Bonnet

- Front Bumper

- Full Front Guards

- Headlights

- A-Pillars

- Mirrors

- Door Cups & Door Edges

- Top of the rear bumper

Front part of the sills (free)

Also had a test drive Model 3 Long Range overnight and took it up to Palmerston North. I am about to place an order now for the Long Range having experienced the entry level model, long range and performance now.

From what I've read ceramic coatings can be rather expensive. They're a good upsell with a great profit margin. Check around for prices. You can also do it yourself.

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Dingbatt

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#2845628 9-Jan-2022 14:09

michaelmurfy:

Also had a test drive Model 3 Long Range overnight and took it up to Palmerston North. I am about to place an order now for the Long Range having experienced the entry level model, long range and performance now.

The $24K difference between the M3RWD and M3LR puts it out of reach for a lot of people. Did you notice any difference running on 19” rims rather than the 18s?

You might find the YouTube videos by “The Limiting Factor” on LFP batteries vs NCA batteries of interest before that final squeeze of the trigger. Unless you need the extra range.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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