Ford, Time to Up Your Game - Tesla Model 3 Refresh

[JohnFoxeSheets]

I'm getting less and less inclined to ever purchase a Tesla in the future. In fact, I doubt I would even consider a Model 3 with this latest review. They keep removing controls (no turn signal stalk, no P/D/R shifter, no center speedometer, etc.). Tesla, those things are there for a reason. They aren't decorative. Stop being cheap.

All true. Now if they could just remove Elon....

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[LinkRS]

https://insideevs.com/news/694279/2024-tesla-model-3-out-of-spec-review/

The New Model 3 Refresh, reviewed by Kyle Connor.

Highlights:
1. Soft / Comfortable Suspension**
2. Much Quieter than Old Model 3
3. Ventilated Seats** ( I really miss ventilated seats)
**This all on the BASE MODEL!!!
1&3....Come on Ford, Step Up!!!

SInce the Model 3 is a sedan, and the Mach-E is an SUV, you shouldn't directly compare ride quality . I can get behind the ventilated seats, and I want my cooled seats back too LOL.

 

[azerik]

The old 3 rode like the MME in my mind. My wife couldn't do the backseat of the 3 so the MME worked. It might work for her now. She's not happy the MME is an 'suv' which I fought her on, but yeah, it's an SUV. She wants something easier to park and my FFE is getting really dated. But I fixed it with some silicon spray to get the doors to open again lol. (100k on it, it's getting a little dusty).

 

[jbooth]

Okay I don't get the vented seat thing. We had a loaner lincoln mkx with those when the MME died, last summer, in Illinois. In theory this should have been ideal. In practice, turning them on made both my wife and I convinced that we'd split our pants (jeans) and didn't honestly do that much else.

What am I missing out on I should love about vented seats?

 

[tuminatr]

https://insideevs.com/news/694279/2024-tesla-model-3-out-of-spec-review/

The New Model 3 Refresh, reviewed by Kyle Connor.

Highlights:
1. Soft / Comfortable Suspension**
2. Much Quieter than Old Model 3
3. Ventilated Seats** ( I really miss ventilated seats)
**This all on the BASE MODEL!!!
1&3....Come on Ford, Step Up!!!

The Model 3 and the MME are very different. I don't think ride comparisons are fair because these are not the same kind of vehicles. To me a fair comparison would be a Tesla Model y vs the MME.

The model Y and the MME in standard trims have fairly comparable rides. With a small advantage going to the Tesla because it weighs less.

In the performance trim the MME has a much softer ride.

I have been traveling this year and renting EVs to the extent of about 3 months and 35k miles behind the wheel of a combination of M3 and MY.

The model 3 refresh was needed. Most of my rentals have been standard range rwd M3 and they are very loud. Whenever I get home the serenity of peace and quiet that my MME provides is very noticable.

Ventilated seats, yeah these are actually really nice and the last five cars I've had have had them. And the last five cars that I've had needed them without using the ventilated seats my legs would sweat so bad I'd stick to the leather by the end of a road trip. This doesn't happen with MME for me they are not needed. Like you would I still like them, sure

Maybe you have driven a new M3, I haven't. The only person I know who has is a chassis engineer and race car driver. So your next question is how did he like it? He told me it's one of the worst car rides that he's ever experienced, the car is very unstable especially in the rain.

 

[SWO]

I found this photo from a Ford Mustang Mach E product planning meeting:

That's funny but Tesla is the ultimate stingey/decontented vehicle. No turn signal stalks, no dash, no radar sensors, no 360 camera in a "luxury" vehicle, no paint options, no interior door handles, no apple carplay / android auto.

Tesla even "decontented" right-hand drive in the UK and gave buyers little helper wands ?:

https://www.carscoops.com/2023/06/t...stick-after-cancelling-right-hand-drive-cars/

It makes fart noises and has ventilated seats though, so there's that.

 

[Just Lurking]

Better suspension and ventilated seats would be nice. Come on Ford, how about also adding a HUD? I miss the HUD from my last two cars. Also, better performance on the GT. Much better performance.

 

[Mach1E]

Okay I don't get the vented seat thing. We had a loaner lincoln mkx with those when the MME died, last summer, in Illinois. In theory this should have been ideal. In practice, turning them on made both my wife and I convinced that we'd split our pants (jeans) and didn't honestly do that much else.

What am I missing out on I should love about vented seats?

They keep your bum cool.

It’s an odd sensation at first. But you get used to it. Then you start to enjoy them. Then you don’t want to buy a car without them.

It’s kinda like cigarettes. Nobody likes their first puff. ?

 

[voxel]

Okay I don't get the vented seat thing. We had a loaner lincoln mkx with those when the MME died, last summer, in Illinois. In theory this should have been ideal. In practice, turning them on made both my wife and I convinced that we'd split our pants (jeans) and didn't honestly do that much else.

What am I missing out on I should love about vented seats?

Honestly not that much. It’s a nice to have. I’ve have them on my Rivian and GC and on my former Ioniq 5 but don’t think it is a must have. I live in Florida and only use them once a month. HUDs are nice too but same thing. Something I could live without.

What is underrated is ride quality and quiet cabins. Neither of which the Mach-E (nor Teslas) has. I miss the rear air suspension of the BMW i4 and more compliant ride of the Ioniq 5. I sat in an Audi Q8 at an auto show and everybody inside mention how silent it was. I could not hear the bustle of the auto show floor which wasn’t the case for most of the cars on the floor.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

50 minutes?! This guy really needs to learn how to communicate more concisely!

I've tried with him; he just rubs me the wrong way. And yah, videos are way too long.

 

[voxel]

In the performance trim the MME has a much softer ride.

Not at all. I argue Unbridled with MagneRide made the ride stiffer and handled better. Weaving through traffic with zero body roll was fun. Whisper mode and the bucking Bronco like suspension… nope.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

I admit, the Model 3 "Highland" has me intrigued if only because of the improvement to seating and ride comfort. Having been a passenger in my coworkers' 1st gen Model 3 and 2022 MY Performance, I can attest to the harsh ride and uncomfortable back seats. The Model Y is better though.

But there is still no driver display or Android Auto (Waze). Reasons, back in June of 2021, I chose the Mach-E over the Y.

I live in NH in the south on the coast (affluent area/region). As such, the roads around here are actually quite nice and well maintained. So I do not suffer from nearly as much bounce in my daily driving. For my personal situation, the Mach-E is almost ideal.

Today, I still envy Tesla's faster and more responsive software UI and charging experience. At least that latter will be fixed for the MME in the next 12 months.

 

[tuminatr]

Not at all. I argue Unbridled with MagneRide made the ride stiffer and handled better. Weaving through traffic with zero body roll was fun. Whisper mode and the bucking Bronco like suspension… nope.

I don't agree, recently I traded premium for a GTPE the roads where I live a very bad, potholes, ruts, ect. The GTPE took the harshness out of impacts. The car also has much less bucking effect than MY or a MME without magneride.

One note to anyone wanting to smooth out the suspension put on tires with a larger load range and lower the pressure. For a GTPE put on 255/45/20 105 XL and inflate to 36 psi. Harshness comes for running higher than normal tire pressure.

I will agree with you on unbridled it seems to be stiffer than the premium suspension.

 

[Mach1E]

Honestly not that much. It’s a nice to have. I’ve have them on my Rivian and GC and on my former Ioniq 5 but don’t think it is a must have. I live in Florida and only use them once a month. HUDs are nice too but same thing. Something I could live without.

What is underrated is ride quality and quiet cabins. Neither of which the Mach-E (nor Teslas) has. I miss the rear air suspension of the BMW i4 and more compliant ride of the Ioniq 5. I sat in an Audi Q8 at an auto show and everybody inside mention how silent it was. I could not hear the bustle of the auto show floor which wasn’t the case for most of the cars on the floor.

Your cabin isn’t quiet?

This is by far the quietest car I’ve owned. My wife’s Lincoln is loud by comparison.

68 db on the highway vs 70 for the Model Y.
https://www.caranddriver.com/review...stang-mach-e-vs-2020-tesla-model-y-compared/#

 

[Jimrpa]

I've tried with him; he just rubs me the wrong way. And yah, videos are way too long.

He does come across as a little smug.

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