Originally Posted by rumatt (Post 536131)

Why did you need 3 alignments? Did they just keep doing it wrong? Or was something coming loose?

Originally Posted by rumatt (Post 536125)

I went in one more time to drive the performance AWD, to make sure I really want to do this. It was a longer test drive this time, and I drove the Cayman there so the comparison was back to back.

1. The Model 3 on 20" wheels is significantly more comfortable on bumpy roads than the Cayman R on 18's. The Tesla has half an inch less sidewall and it's still shockingly comfortable. I'm not sure how, but it is. From a ride quality point of view I'd take the 20's on the tesla. It's the $5k cost, questionable pothole durability, and inability to use other rims that bothers me. But I'd say 19's are a no brainer.

2. The steering in the model 3 is weird, and not in a good way. I won't say it's a total abortion like new BMW's, because it doesn't have a big floaty dead spot on center and then a bizarre non-linear resistance that fights you mid-corner. The Model 3 steering is tight and consistent in feel. But even in "standard" a) there's a lot of steering input required to turn, and b) it's very sensitive. I'm guessing I'd get used to it, but the steering isn't exactly a relaxing experience. I found myself having to work harder than I expected to drive smoothly and keep the car pointed where I wanted it. On "Comfort" it's pretty awful - the steering becomes soft yet jerky at the same time.

3. Regen braking is just fantastic in traffic. It's really strong, so if you look ahead just a little bit you end up not having to use the brakes until the very end.

4. Shit, yeah the car is fast.


Getting back in the Cayman, the reaction was:

1. Normal steering again... YES!

2. Whoa that intersection didn't feel that bumpy in the Tesla.

3. Damn, this car is slow.

Originally Posted by wdc330i (Post 536136)

The 718s would solve Cayman problem #3.:D

Originally Posted by rumatt (Post 536137)

And #2! But it would mess up #1. :D

For what it's worth, I'm thinking of keeping it and the Tesla. :banghead:

Originally Posted by ZBB (Post 536132)

Not exactly sure why. But the first 2 were done before they had their own alignment rack (before the full service center opened and they were in a temporary facility). They borrowed the rack from the Mercedes dealer, and I was told that they had to manually set it for the S instead of using some of the presets...

Originally Posted by rumatt (Post 536137)

And #2! But it would mess up #1. :D

For what it's worth, I'm thinking of keeping it and the Tesla. :banghead:

Originally Posted by rumatt (Post 536149)

Electrician came this morning. The feeder to my garage is only 60amps, so it can't handle my air conditioner unit, and a 50amp outlet. So my options are:

Install a 24 amp plug off the garage sub-panel 30 amp breaker. This will charge at 22mph.

Install a 48 amp plug off a 60 amp garage sub-panel, and run a 110 feet of 100 amp feeder from the main breaker on the other end of the house. This will charge at 44 mph.

22 mph will recharge 154 miles per day during the 7 evening hours when my electricity is cheap. Given I expect running a feed around the house to be expensive, I might just go with the slower charging.