Replace F31 340i with Tesla Model 3

tomr1985 · 11-21-2021, 02:34 PM

I need some help…

I currently own a 2018 340i touring, shadow edition, adaptive suspension, MPPSK and a few other bits, owned from new, 52k miles.

I also own a 2006 911 C2S, manual, so much fun to drive!

EVs have been added to the company car list at work and I am considering a Tesla Model 3 long range to replace the 340i.

Factoring in depreciation, tax, maintenance, fuel etc. they are both going to cost me £450-500/month over the next few years.

The 340i is out of warranty, if something fails then that is going to push it to be the more expensive option, however I have been mechanical sympathetic with it and it has been mostly motorway miles (52k miles and still no brake pad light) - so major issues are low risk. I also like the idea of a company car and not being as precious with it. My wife likes that too!!!

I test drove a Model 3 today and was very impressed. Very quick, refined and strangely felt lighter and handled better than the 340i.

I like the idea of having a super modern daily driver and a very analogue weekend toy, as the Model 3 seems to make the 911 feel more old school and even more enjoyable - but… I think the 340i has so much more character and presence.

What would you do?…

This will also be posted on the 911uk forum , as I am interested a mixed views.

ToddBlack88 · 11-21-2021, 04:49 PM

I have a friend down the street who was in the exact same position two years ago, that you find yourself in today. Exact same. He had a 340i company car. His office added EV cars to allowable cars. He looked at and picked up a model 3 and replaced the 340i.

He drove it for 1 year and dumped it. Picked up a 911 C4S.

He said the Tesla was utterly lifeless. He described it as an iPad with a steering wheel. He couldn’t get rid of it fast enough.

If you are a car person, it probably won’t make your fun bits tingle when you drive it, but if it’s for A to B work transportation it will probably be fine.

Alfisti · 11-22-2021, 08:45 AM

In the end it boils down to, if the cost is the same why do you want the hassle of an EV?

stein_325i · 11-22-2021, 09:52 AM

Honestly a 911 and Model 3 is a great pairing. I still find that the Model 3 is an excellent commuter/daily so I think its a great choice. Better yet would be if your work also has charging available. I say go for it.

R N M · 11-24-2021, 02:23 PM

I like how the Model 3 drives and the tech is well above anything BMW offers.

My issue is the styling, interior fit/finish and build quality. The car looks very goofy and they are Everywhere now. The interior is so cheap, seats are not supportive at all especially compared to BMW sport seats.

Save up some more $$$ and get a Porsche Taycan.

Fined · 11-26-2021, 08:55 AM

There is no chance I'd buy a Tesla. Exactly as stated above, if I were going that route I'd hold off and get a Taycan when the funds were available.

FCX5 · 11-26-2021, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomr1985

I need some help…

I currently own a 2018 340i touring, shadow edition, adaptive suspension, MPPSK and a few other bits, owned from new, 52k miles.

I also own a 2006 911 C2S, manual, so much fun to drive!

EVs have been added to the company car list at work and I am considering a Tesla Model 3 long range to replace the 340i.

Factoring in depreciation, tax, maintenance, fuel etc. they are both going to cost me £450-500/month over the next few years.

The 340i is out of warranty, if something fails then that is going to push it to be the more expensive option, however I have been mechanical sympathetic with it and it has been mostly motorway miles (52k miles and still no brake pad light) - so major issues are low risk. I also like the idea of a company car and not being as precious with it. My wife likes that too!!!

I test drove a Model 3 today and was very impressed. Very quick, refined and strangely felt lighter and handled better than the 340i.

I like the idea of having a super modern daily driver and a very analogue weekend toy, as the Model 3 seems to make the 911 feel more old school and even more enjoyable - but… I think the 340i has so much more character and presence.

What would you do?…

This will also be posted on the 911uk forum , as I am interested a mixed views.

We have a Model Y. It's an excellent DD, so Model 3 should be the same. I think it makes sense to have 1 ICE and 1 EV. That is what we have…

saifodeh · 11-28-2021, 03:49 PM

Tesla has no soul! keep your car and get something thats a 6 speed if your getting bored of it.

tomr1985 · 11-30-2021, 11:42 AM

So I've ordered a Model 3!

I'll be sad to see the 340i go, as it has been a great car, but I am keen to drive the latest technology risk free while the incentives allow it, and regular drives out in the 997 will remind me of the good old days.

The 340i has started to feel less exciting since owning the 997, so I am more than comfortable making the change.

Thanks for all the comments.

dreamingat30fps · 11-30-2021, 08:23 PM

Most of the EV hate comes from none EV owners. I think you will have the perfect combo. The last BMW we owned was a 2017 I think 335… it was a pretty boring car. Haven’t owned a BMW since. Honestly I don’t know how anyone finds it anymore thrilling to drive than an EV.

You already have your fun drivers car and the Tesla is a great daily driver. Depending on how much you drive each day you may want to look at getting a faster charger for home use. For me the standard 110 is fine since we don’t drive much.

..Rush.. · 11-30-2021, 08:41 PM

Where I live, Teslas are a dime a dozen. They are so common now. Like Toyotas. If you want an EV, look at Lucid or Polestar imho.

11-21-2021, 02:34 PM	#1
tomr1985 Enlisted Member 16 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 2018 F31 340i Shadow Edition Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Leeds, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 F31 340i Shado ... [0.00] 2010 E92 320d SE [10.00]	Replace F31 340i with Tesla Model 3 I need some help… I currently own a 2018 340i touring, shadow edition, adaptive suspension, MPPSK and a few other bits, owned from new, 52k miles. I also own a 2006 911 C2S, manual, so much fun to drive! EVs have been added to the company car list at work and I am considering a Tesla Model 3 long range to replace the 340i. Factoring in depreciation, tax, maintenance, fuel etc. they are both going to cost me £450-500/month over the next few years. The 340i is out of warranty, if something fails then that is going to push it to be the more expensive option, however I have been mechanical sympathetic with it and it has been mostly motorway miles (52k miles and still no brake pad light) - so major issues are low risk. I also like the idea of a company car and not being as precious with it. My wife likes that too!!! I test drove a Model 3 today and was very impressed. Very quick, refined and strangely felt lighter and handled better than the 340i. I like the idea of having a super modern daily driver and a very analogue weekend toy, as the Model 3 seems to make the 911 feel more old school and even more enjoyable - but… I think the 340i has so much more character and presence. What would you do?… This will also be posted on the 911uk forum , as I am interested a mixed views.
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11-21-2021, 04:49 PM	#2
ToddBlack88 Private First Class 594 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC 2010 F650GS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: North Vancouver iTrader: (0)	I have a friend down the street who was in the exact same position two years ago, that you find yourself in today. Exact same. He had a 340i company car. His office added EV cars to allowable cars. He looked at and picked up a model 3 and replaced the 340i. He drove it for 1 year and dumped it. Picked up a 911 C4S. He said the Tesla was utterly lifeless. He described it as an iPad with a steering wheel. He couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. If you are a car person, it probably won’t make your fun bits tingle when you drive it, but if it’s for A to B work transportation it will probably be fine. __________________ Current : 2007 Z4MC, 2010 F650gs, 2018 340i M Performance Edition, 2020 G310gs, 2009 128i Past : 2001 325 cab, 2002 325xit, 1992 325 M tech ll appearance pack cab, 1990 325is, 1988 M3, 2012 328xit, 2009 M135i cab, 2016 M235i cab,
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11-22-2021, 08:45 AM	#3
Alfisti Brigadier General 6996 Rep 3,308 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	In the end it boils down to, if the cost is the same why do you want the hassle of an EV?
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11-22-2021, 09:52 AM	#4
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25307 Rep 8,764 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	Honestly a 911 and Model 3 is a great pairing. I still find that the Model 3 is an excellent commuter/daily so I think its a great choice. Better yet would be if your work also has charging available. I say go for it.
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11-24-2021, 02:23 PM	#5
R N M Colonel 3837 Rep 2,123 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00]	I like how the Model 3 drives and the tech is well above anything BMW offers. My issue is the styling, interior fit/finish and build quality. The car looks very goofy and they are Everywhere now. The interior is so cheap, seats are not supportive at all especially compared to BMW sport seats. Save up some more $$$ and get a Porsche Taycan.
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11-26-2021, 08:55 AM	#6
Fined ghost user 243 Rep 248 Posts Drives: M2 \| 997 GTS Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Düsseldorf iTrader: (0)	There is no chance I'd buy a Tesla. Exactly as stated above, if I were going that route I'd hold off and get a Taycan when the funds were available.
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11-28-2021, 03:49 PM	#8
saifodeh New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: F32 440I Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Tesla has no soul! keep your car and get something thats a 6 speed if your getting bored of it.
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11-30-2021, 11:42 AM	#9
tomr1985 Enlisted Member 16 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 2018 F31 340i Shadow Edition Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Leeds, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 F31 340i Shado ... [0.00] 2010 E92 320d SE [10.00]	So I've ordered a Model 3! I'll be sad to see the 340i go, as it has been a great car, but I am keen to drive the latest technology risk free while the incentives allow it, and regular drives out in the 997 will remind me of the good old days. The 340i has started to feel less exciting since owning the 997, so I am more than comfortable making the change. Thanks for all the comments.
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11-30-2021, 08:23 PM	#10
dreamingat30fps Colonel 5993 Rep 2,035 Posts Drives: Miata, Cayenne, Model 3, F350 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida & NC iTrader: (1)	Most of the EV hate comes from none EV owners. I think you will have the perfect combo. The last BMW we owned was a 2017 I think 335… it was a pretty boring car. Haven’t owned a BMW since. Honestly I don’t know how anyone finds it anymore thrilling to drive than an EV. You already have your fun drivers car and the Tesla is a great daily driver. Depending on how much you drive each day you may want to look at getting a faster charger for home use. For me the standard 110 is fine since we don’t drive much.
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11-30-2021, 08:41 PM	#11
..Rush.. Captain 983 Rep 928 Posts Drives: AW E88 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Where I live, Teslas are a dime a dozen. They are so common now. Like Toyotas. If you want an EV, look at Lucid or Polestar imho.
	Appreciate 0 Quote