Which would you rather? Tesla Model 3 Long Range v S 100d

Pro’s and con’s to each… the model 3 is fantastically efficient, range is excellent and it charges fast but whilst the Model S is older and with more miles for similar money, it offers a more refined drive and hatchback practicality.

In this video I simply use the opportunity whilst driving both on a trip to highlight some of the benefits and differences of each. You can make your own mind which would suit you.

For me, I prefer the Model S to drive and the balance of sportiness, refinement and practicality all appeal to me.

Let me know what you prefer and why.

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[mattyking]

I would say the model s the proper Tesla

[kevinbarnes]

Model S is best! I love my 75D bought from R Symons. I strongly recommend buying from Richard and his team. Keep up the great videos Richard.

[johnmackay]

Cracking video! Always preferred the S over the X and 3. The nonstop from Edinburgh to London you did crowed the S for me. Damn shame Tesla haven’t supplied them for a few years now in the UK.

[Ben-gmlo]

Another great video, thanks Richard. I have a 2018 MS, my mate has a 2021 M3 LR . I have driven them both and been driven in both as passenger. You just hit all the key points so beautifully for both cars. My MS is on 19s and I indeed get about 10% more range than the MS in the video. Can't touch my mate's M3 though, it is amazing for economy.

I don't know how you survived on MCU1 which was on my car when I bought it from Tesla. I used to regularly drive off the 'map' and be on a blank white screen, especially on the less travelled roads like the A361 in your video. The MCU 2 upgrade fixed that and now I enjoy the screen the way it was intended. I think the car struggled on 3G but works properly on 4G connectivity.

Back to the 2 cars, the MS is significantly bigger in the back which is pivotal for me for when I carry my son, his 'ample' wife and our granddaughter in a child seat. Rear width is so important for us (and clearly for my son...). For me it is MS all the way.

[nannettewhite]

I have a model 3 and have driven both the S and Y. You're right the S is luxury all the way but I love the zippiness of the 3. Hard choice

[peterthomson]

S All the way! Thanks Richard, awesome video comparison. I would buy another S tomorrow. Hands down the best car I have ever owned.

[desparky]

Great video as always and nice comparison.
We have a Model S here in Australia. It's an older 2015 85D with free supercharging/connectivity, MCU2 upgrade and CCS charging. Brilliant car, fantastic for Mountain bike riding and camping it's unbelievable how much storage space it has. It's only downside is it's external size, but we live in a fairly rural area and are picky where we park. We sometimes have to park a bit further away to avoid door dings, but have always done that with any car we've owned anyway.

[AKA]

I have an S85 RWD and an M3P. They're entirely different cars and I love that. There is a sense of plushness about the S. Our M3 is the daily and it's great around town and you don't need the Performance really. But each time I get back in the S, generally on the weekend for trips to Ikea, put our bikes on the roof, or just out for dinner. The S is not as fast, but it has more panache and still looks like the $150, 000 we spent on it. The airsuspension, sunroof, seats, carbon fibre dash and heads up just complete it. They also don't look like an Uber.

[miltont]

Great video Richard. With your vast knowledge of all Tesla models, can you do a video of battery degradation after 40, 000 miles or so? Cheers from Australia.

[Osmosis]

I have a model 3 LR but have always preferred the Model S for it’s looks but I’m put off by it’s size. Where I live there are a lot of multi-stories that have really narrow bays, ramps, turning area’s etc… and my model 3 just about copes being smaller but I could imagine the S being a nightmare for everyday city driving, parking etc…. Maybe that’s a good suggestion for a challenge video or something where you show a Model S & a Model 3 vs an NCP car park!

[Rajjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj]

Wow I like your dedication and enthusiasm in every video!

[djwarren]

As long as the mileage wasn't too high, I'd have an S any day. I have thought about buying one from Richard. The cars in stock look to be in very good condition.

[minghiy]

I owned a 2018 model 3 lr for 3 years and I loved the efficiency and speed & clarity of the infotainment system. I currently own a 2017 100d and love the hatchback feature & smoothness of the suspension. Those are my two biggest observations and I certainly prefer the model s over the 3 now. I used to own BMWs before and the model 3 tried to imitate the handling as much as possible but wasn't quite there yet. You can feel each and every bump on the road which is somewhat expected from a sporty car but you'll never feel a jarring bump in a bmw 3.

[ramblerandy]

Which one would I prefer ? Probably the MS, though I do have fairly limited personal experience of one. I have driven a couple of M3s (LRs both), and generally agree with your opinion. However, my buddy from Netherlands brought over to FC Live his 2023 M3 Std, and I was surprised how forgiving his suspension was. The car still steered very nimbly, was very comfortable and the seats were fine, though the headrest did hit me in the back of the head until I inclined the seat far back enough - something I hadn't noticed before. It was great once set properly.
And another thing - this was the first M3 Std I'd been a passenger in where the owner had stomped on, err... demonstrated the performance. And whaddya know? The slow Tesla isn't that slow. In fact it's pretty bloody quick. And the overall efficiency beats my ID3 P-Pro. I can get there in mine, but the M3 can do it all day. Really nice car. Like practically everyone realises once they get in one. 😊

[waffie]

I was lookikg at both options to replace my leased I Pace when it ends next year. The deal breaker for the model S for me was the insurance quote over £2400.

[TraderJono]

S all day long! I am bias though as I own a MS P90DL. I do like the M3 though I've had the pleasure of driving one for a week 😊

[MoltenSamurai]

Model S is the king! Will be picking one up by the end of the year

[paulfisher]

I think you got that review spot on. The answer is simple though, you need them both.

[TheSkinheadlad]

Great point made regarding the bottom seat, anyone over 6ft will find this can cause back ache.

[chrisphipps]

Well, it's July '24 & I just found this video of the fantastic MS100D I bought from Richard a year ago! I love the car, especially this one with the Obsidian paint job, the trick suspension which remembers where you lifted and especially the 21's which look brilliant. You might have noted the little after-market carbon boot spoiler the first owner added, which looks great too. It's a superb ride, quiet and comfortable and the economy/range is better than I need (over 11K miles, it has cost me around 2.5 p per mile when charging at home on Octopus Go). The Superchargers are more of course but it's less than 10% of my mileage. I looked at MYs both new and used and couldn't find anything that matched the S. I believe that good ones will age well and become a classic. So glad I bought it and very happy to see it featured in the video.