1st Technology Tesla Mannequin 3 Nonetheless Maintaining It Collectively At 100,000 Miles

Join each day information updates from CleanTechnica on electronic mail. Or comply with us on Google Information!

Regardless of many others having already executed this, I really feel considerably obligated to report on the primary 100,000 miles pushed in my Tesla Mannequin 3 LR RWD, since that is the very first configuration Tesla despatched off the manufacturing line in July 2017. In actual fact, this has made me notice that I must go discover a set of these unique 19″ rims to exchange my 18″, as a result of it’s a born traditional with that look from the very first SN1 car! It additionally means I’ve to maintain it without end…. Effectively, let’s see when it caves and must be shelved. I believe that may occur many, a few years and miles into the longer term.

My specimen is a black 2019 Lengthy Vary with rear-wheel drive. It has a (present) real-world vary of simply over 250 miles (400 km), which was purported to be the preliminary real-world vary of the Mannequin 3 lengthy earlier than manufacturing. It has declined some 10% since new, however that’s nonetheless sufficient to by no means make me fear about vary. Additionally, the variety of Supercharger stations which have popped up throughout Denmark — and Europe —  makes any considerations about vary a non-issue. By the best way, the opening up of Superchargers to non-Tesla autos has not been an issue for me on the occasional highway journey. And I’ve additionally been on a highway journey in a Citröen eC4, solely utilizing Tesla Superchargers, and that has been no trouble in any way.

Whole Value Of Possession

I documented a number of particulars after I reached 100,000 km (62,000 miles), so this time round I’ll simply replace the details:

Value in June 2019 together with full self driving (FSD): $67,290 (DKK 463,000).

• Present common resale worth in accordance with numerous native used automobile websites: $29,000 (DKK 200,000)
• Depreciation: $38,290 (263,000 DKK) = $0.383 per mile (DKK 1.64 per km)
• Whole spent on service: $4,840 (DKK 33,312) (Be aware: A 3rd of this has been changing a number of suspension components attributable to squeaking noises, some have been beneath guarantee, some weren’t. The remainder is 2 windshield replacements, 8 tires, wipers, cabin filters, and wiper fluid, and a few noise dampening work — nothing else.)
• Whole spent on electrical energy: $2,953 (DKK 20,327) (Be aware: As a result of sort referrals early on I acquired greater than 10,000 miles of free Supercharging. Nonetheless, 93% of charging is at dwelling.)
• Whole spent on insurance coverage: $5,140 (DKK 35,380)
• Whole spent on taxes: $429 (DKK 2,950)
• Whole spent on premium connectivity: $349 (DKK 2,400)
• Working value complete of: $13,711 (DKK 94,369) = $0.137 per mile (DKK 0.590 per km)

Whole value of possession (TCO) to date: $0.52 per mile (DKK 2.23 per km).

So, regardless of fairly important depreciation, attributable to value cuts over time and new vehicles getting higher and higher, making used vehicles much less and fewer engaging, that is nonetheless a really low TCO. If FSD turns into a actuality earlier than this automobile reaches finish of life, the story modifications utterly, however that’s a pie within the sky for now (though, I clearly wouldn’t have purchased FSD had I not believed in it, which I nonetheless do).

Consolation

Does the automobile really feel like new? No, it feels higher than new, however that’s solely as a result of I had it noise dampened inside the first 12 months, which made the sound consolation within the cabin so significantly better. I’m very completely happy I made this resolution early on. All the pieces by way of the mechanics exhibits no indicators of damage (besides changing these suspension components attributable to irritating — however not unsafe — squeaking noises), that means the automobile nonetheless feels new to drive. And bear in mind, that is the rear-wheel drive with the massive battery, which provides it extra energy than the usual vary, thus delivering a strong 0–60 mph time of 5 seconds. Nothing loopy, however provides to the enjoyable issue.

Unknowns

There are a few unknowns which are value mentioning. Rust is one. I hear tales about Teslas beginning to rust, each older Mannequin 3 and newer Mannequin Y autos. I had my automobile checked a few instances, and I’ve nothing out of the abnormal by way of corrosion, even though the automobile sits exterior all 12 months spherical and is uncovered to a number of salt roughly half of the 12 months. This winter has been very difficult, and it made me notice that in case you can not keep at dwelling when it’s snowing closely, all-season tires are usually not adequate. I’ll begin utilizing summer time and winter tires.

Brakes is one other unknown that you need to take into consideration when driving in the kind of local weather now we have right here in Denmark. The primary couple of years, I drove with most regenerative braking (one-pedal driving) to get good vary, however I seen that this made the brake discs rust a lot it could make them uneven. I switched to low regen and began to use my brakes tougher often, particularly in winter. This has made the discs cleaner and extra even once more. At 4 years, it handed inspection, however solely simply, and I used to be advised the discs most likely wouldn’t move subsequent time — we will see. I’ve additionally discovered that if I work the brakes laborious a few miles earlier than parking, in order that the discs have some warmth constructed up, the parking brake pads are much less inclined to stay, which beforehand would really feel actually uncomfortable beginning out within the morning with a loud clonking sound as if the pads had been glued to the discs.

Vary

Vary may be seen three-fold: First, there’s the official WLTP vary, which is 600 km (373 miles) for this mannequin. Second, there may be the vary estimate all the time proven on display screen within the automobile and within the app. Third, there may be the precise vary achieved. At new, the automobile prompt a variety of 516 km (321 miles) was attainable. Now, it exhibits 462 km (287 miles). So, that’s down 10.6%. The precise consumption has been very constant, with a year-round common of 176 Wh/km (283 Wh/mile), or put one other method, 5.68 km/kWh (3.53 miles/kWh). Assuming 75 kWh of usable battery capability, this quantities to a mean vary of 426 km (265 miles) on a full cost. Adjusting for a attainable lack of 10.6% battery capability, which provides an approximated present usable battery capability of 67 kWh, the precise vary that I might belief a full cost would ship can be 381 km (237 miles). When folks ask me what’s the vary of an EV, any EV, I all the time reply: Overlook WLTP and calculate battery capability × 5 km (3.1 miles). That’s actual life for you.

I nonetheless take pleasure in each single experience on this automobile. It’s depraved quick, straightforward to make use of, and has razor sharp dealing with. The inside holds up nicely. There is no such thing as a visible put on and tear and nothing has come unfastened anyplace. Consolation is okay for me, however I’m nicely conscious it’s nowhere close to its rivals, not to mention its successor. But, as a each day driver, this 1st technology of the Mannequin 3 has confirmed itself method past what I might have anticipated. (I’ve learn the tales of others having a lot of issues, so perhaps I’m simply fortunate?) Nonetheless, I dare not check out the brand new Mannequin 3. I’m so scared I’ll abandon “Colin” on the spot. Moreover, what would I name a brand new automobile? “Colin” is the proper identify … and it stays with this automobile! Goofy, I do know….