I feel like an idiot. No heated steering wheel. Love it other wise. 2020 used

Don't. I did the same 🤣 its a consolation prize because it warms up quickly

You feel like an idiot bc of the lack of heated steering wheel?

I want to get a 2021 or newer because of the heat pump but I also want that chrome trim but thats only on 2020 and older :(

Yeah, we’re the rare folks that prefer the chrome. I’d look for 2022+ as it has the heat pump and the newer computers.

wrap

Probably because he bought the car and didn’t consider the heated steering wheel wasn’t included.

FYI take a look at the front lower control arm bushings as they're known to crack in less than 15k miles. Upper control arms can be an issue as well. I have an early VIN '18 rwd LR and track the F out of it. They're fun cars especially for autocross. Ingenext makes a plug for an easy 50 to 150 additional hp depending on motor 980 or 990)

Make sure to check the inside edges of your door handles intermittently. Someone’s kid recently needed stitches on her fingers after slicing them open on a chrome handle that was beginning to separate in the top-inside.

Looking for a used Tesla Model 3 and trying to stay in the $20k $25k range. What do you all recommend?

The definition for being an idiot has a really low bar these days if that’s how you define it.

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Yeah I called them I can’t upgrade. Only get the auto pop doors and turn off traction control .

... You can schedule the car to precondition. Why do you even need a heated steering wheel?

Prob because it doesn't include the heated steering wheel, heat pump, dual pane glass, updated center console, and automatic trunk

All I want are ventilated seats. My back gets so warm driving Uber all day

That pretty much sums up why I feel like an idiot. Also I was stupid enough to not read enough to understand that my 2019 is so old it wont get the juicy new updates. I thought that was one of the perks with tesla 😅 but I guess hardware gets old, unfortunately way too fast for my wallet 😂

The Chrome was awful, it discoloured, faded or peeled on 90% of cars. I agree it looked better, but it wasn't itself better. The black has issues too, but they're not as bad or noticeable.

If it hasn’t been done yet, have the suspension reworked. New shocks, ball bearings, and control arms will make the car ride new

Don't feel bad, I bought a tesla model y 2023 not knowing that it didn't have the latest Hardware either.

Damn crazy how your car went from a 2020 to a 2019 in an hour! Jk Even 2021's and early 2022's are running Atom like yours and aren't going to be receiving new features. They will still get security updates and FSD enhancements though.

I'm pretty sure it's polished aluminum. Not sure how that would peel.

Well im not op im just another idiot 😂

Oh shit I thought you were my bad lmfao. Tbf I got a 2021 early last year not even knowing about the differences so I'm an idiot too

Zero issues with the chrome on my 2018 with nearly 200k miles.... I guess I'm part of the 10%?

Be glad it's not a 2021

Hey I feel stupid having HW3. Its 💩 how we're left in the dust.

You’re absolutely not an idiot, I bought a 2019 and I have no regrets whatsoever. Heated steering wheels are overrated and the faux leather on M3’s bubble up and peel off because of it so be thankful your steering wheel will stay intact!

If it helps anyone, I got the 2020 after tons of research cuz majority of the hogh mileage teslas are the 2020 which isnt the lfp battery

Trust me… u don’t need anything else draining your battery.

What did you give for it? Is it Dual Motor?

What? My chrome is shiny and reflective going 5 years strong without a scratch or defect. Meanwhile the black trim people can't even wash it without being worried lol.

Part of the 100%, this person has no clue what they're talking about lol

I got my 2022 M3 for 20k, it came with 52k miles. Highly recommend.

I was selling a 2020 M3 LR Dual Motor, black w/white interior, upgrade wheels, 46kmi, acceleration boost and was realistically expecting and got an offer for~$23,000. In the end decided to instead sell my 2012 Toyota 4-Runner SR5 4WD w 117kmi for $19,000🫤

Why so?

Worst year of battery packs, if you look at hv battery failure post it's always a 2021

You can buy aftermarket heated steering wheel covers But liked heated seats, that's another thing drawing power from the car. I would just get a regular steering wheel cover or good pair of gloves.

Thanks for the PSA. Consider me an idiot as well. I actually didn't realize my Model Y came with a heated steering wheel. I was pleasantly surprised and expected all Teslas to have it. Now I know.

Same, it's one of the downsides of living and driving in Florida: swamp ass happens year-round. I'm thinking about installing some ventilated cooling seat covers in mine.

Don't tell my car, maybe it doesn't know yet

Juat get a nice pair of driving gloves. 👍

I only use the heated steering wheel when I first start driving and it quickly becomes too warm

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You can add one. I just did it on my 2020 and it works great. https://evoffer.com/product/model-3-y-heated-steering-wheel-module/

I have a 2019, the heated steering wheel is not something I ever cared about. Its still a great car in so many ways. I don't mind not having ryzen cpu, hw4, grok and RGB lightstrips to name a few. The car still receives some updates for things it's able to support.

Also, mittens.

long range? and from where and how long ago?

Yeah man i had no idea, my fault but I got a 2023 with hw3 after a decent amount of research but I vastly underestimated how much id like and use fsd and now I wish I had looked for one with HW4

Random used car dealership in Orlando, Florida. January 2025. Not long range, and get 250 miles on a full charge.

I guess the only golden parachute is they are already talking about AI6 chips 😆 These will be obsolete after every year.

Me too. XX303. So far a very smooth 7.5 years of use.

Hahaha Idek what that is ill look it up. Ironically I was one of the huge haters of Tesla and now its easily my favorite car ive ever had both for fun and function.

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True. We still get updates, so thats a plus. Unlike other cars which are lucky to get any at all.

LOL. Thanks for the laugh. Public Service Announcement.

This happened to mine

Love the chrome trim though. It’s something I miss from my 2020 Model 3.

Haha I have the exact same car with those miles. Also paid $20k. Great car and no payment

You're not an idiot. The car is fine for most everyday use. Often people need to understand the technology in the car. And that is hard when you don't have a reference point. For example, I researched the heck out of my first Tesla. A 2015 Model S, used in 2018. I specifically wanted MobilEye powered autopilot as it offered a few more features than new Tesla models at the time. But I knew I'd never get FSD promise or improvements beyond the infotainment 2 upgrade. Also I've driven it up north in the winter a few times and while not having a heat pump is brutal on efficiency. Still doable. My next Tesla was in 2025. I got a 2025 Highland Model 3 specifically betting I'll never get a front bumper camera retrofit and understanding the limitations because of it. But I know I'll get ok FSD updates for a short while before being obsolete. It's just the nature of getting a Tesla and paying to be a part of their try at obtaining L4/L5. All this to again say you're not an idiot. No one here is. Every Tesla will eventually have trade offs and whether or not you understand what those are doesn't change the fact that the technology is rapidly evolving. Enjoy the car. You'll love it.

Lurker learning about the M3.... 100% underrated feature imo. The details on the "leather" are interesting to hear about though.

If you find any good ones, please let me know

It always happens. When I bought my 2020 new, the same thing was happening to the HW2 folks. End of the day, it's still a fast, sporty car with cool features that's cheap to operate. I keep my hands warm by tightening the grip on my steering wheel while I stomp on the accelerator... :D

HW3?

I am hoping for a good BF deal on this, the S3XY commander, and possibly the soft close frunk. But I have a 2018 so that is on the expensive side.

I just bought a 2020 too. Two weeks ago. I do feel the lack of the newer stuff and the heater takes a ton of range in the cold but I love the car.

Yup, ive got hw3

I have the same andI don't feel bad at all. My car is amazing and an absolute blast.

Yeah i love it too...i just would of paid the 2-3% more for the latest hardware if i knew better. I just bought it.

I finally did this after 3 months of owning my 2019 and it made my 3 mile commute so much better

trees nine tie angle telephone sand long jeans consist nutty *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev/home)*

Why don't you just put one hand under you thigh to heat it up with Seat warmers or put a glove under your but for 5 mins with seat heater on 3 bacon then put on the gloves. Or pay 300 bucks to upgrade to heated wheel and rear seat warmers. My 21 has the option maybe you do too. Check in your app for this purchase option.

Can’t forget the AMD chip. I feel like an idiot on that with my 21 M3LR. I should’ve bought the 22 with 40k miles instead of my 21 with 23k miles.

Get the Highland parts. That's a game changer for old 3's.

Happy with mine. It's the endless chase if you let it be.

I just realized my Y has a heated wheel, but I see FSD so much I'll probably never use it.

I feel like an idiot because of no bumper cam and no turn signal stalks and apparently infinite premium connectivity, lucky punks.

There will come a time you won’t get the latest update, bot obsolete definitely ain’t the word to use

Tbh compared to my Lexus, the ventilated seats aren’t THAT cooling. It definitely helps, but it’s not like they will really keep you cool/cold. Still happy I have them, but I don’t think it’s a make or break with this car.

As long as you have a hw2.5 2019 it's a better option than any used with hw3

Meh. I'm absolutely content with mine. I know there's always something bigger and better coming. That's how perceived obsolescence works. That's why the lady I bought mine from paid $65k a year and a half ago and sold it to me for $30k. Less than 25k miles.

The cooling seats in my 2025 Highland are the best I've ever tried and I've tried a lot of them. These really work. I also installed a heated yoke 😀

Turn the climate on before you get in it and there’s no need for the heated steering wheel

I just upgraded from a HW 2.5 M3 to Cybertruck. Massive improvement in every sense

I noticed today my drivers side door handle sticks out a little bit all the time. I can push it back in but looking closer it seems to be slightly misaligned and this means friction with the upper part of the handle space. I wonder is this hard to fix myself?

I went from 2021 SR+ to a 2020 P & I can tell I the SR+ was a much better car for these reasons. I miss them but god I love how quick this thing is

I feel like the heated steering wheel is kinda of useless, just turn the heater on and you’ll be alright. I have a heated steering wheel and live in a place where it gets well below freezing and never use it

If you pre heat the car a few mins in advance, the steering wheel isn't cold anymore.

I must be an old geezer because I also prefer the chrome over the "blackout" look.

Did you buy just the module or did you need the harness too?

ye, I bought a used 2019 M3P with 100k km and it sucks to not have the upgrades, but the car is still lovely

Pre heating the car helps ease the need for heated wheel :) 2017-2020 has the perk of a real leather steering wheel that doesn’t fall apart like 2021+

Also matrix lights

Yeah I'm a-okay keeping my actual leather, non-heated steering wheel that won't distort and peel off over time like the new synthetic heated steering wheels do. The automatic trunk would be nice, but imo it's just another thing that can break.

The only regret I have is buying my 2019 M3 in 2023 before it depreciated like crazy 😩.

at least there is a fairly easy and affordable aftermarket fix for heated steeringwheel. Get the aftermarket control module from EVOffer as seen here: [https://evoffer.com/product/model-3-y-heated-steering-wheel-module/](https://evoffer.com/product/model-3-y-heated-steering-wheel-module/) and then install it in a Model 3 heated steeringwheel, and install that in your car. I went with a new aftermarket steeringwheel from Aliexpress; it all works well. You can buy OEM tesla heated wheels (just watch out for the peeling pleather, thats a very common issue), or buy an OEM that has been recovered (I've seen those on ebay), or buy a new aftermarket wheel, I bought this one and it has been perfect (PS, these go for as cheap as $120 on sale) [https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808917500160.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808917500160.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa)

I have a 2021 with heated steering wheel behind a paywall. I haven’t felt the need to pay for it.

I actually bought trunk lift struts which lift up for my 2019 which work very well! About $20 on Amazon.

I am an idiot for much bigger reasons than you. I will not get into the poor decisions that I have made mostly with calendar items or shopping items both of which my wife clearly stated verbally and through text and-or apps. That’s just the begging.

Honestly I bought an older LR at 57k miles because I wanted the power...could have had a 2023 Sr with 30k miles and effective same range. Random repairs on these cars can get pricey so I really regret getting an older one with less warranty

No need for heated steering wheel if you use FSD 😁

it's a nice ride. i have a black '19 with chrome trim, just like you, and I think that's the best look. No chrome delete on a black sedan.

I didn't really understand that either but the best I can suggest (after having bought and installing in my 2018) is that if you buy a heated steering wheel, either a new or used OEM, or a new aftermarket it will already have the harness and an OEM steering wheel control module in it. I bought a new aftermarket from Ali for $120 and the module from EVOffer; then swapped in the module from EVOffer and that was all there was to it. I am not sure when you would need to buy the haness, unless maybe the wheel you got had a damaged or missing harness for some reason.

Best value in my opinion, can get heated steering, automatic trunk, amd chip. Got mine through Tesla with 37k miles for $19k after all incentives

Same boat, got a great deal on one of the last '23 model year cars. Downside: HW3. v12.6.4 really ain't bad though.

I agree!

Well, I had the chrome and it looked like garbage after 3 years. Was totally faded, and also somehow scratched looking even though it was never washed harshly. Though some bits were completely fine. For example the pointed bit at the rear of the windows, and also on the mirrors was like brand new, while the part over the main windows was faded and scratched looking. Front door handles perfect, rear drivers side was flaking and would cut your hand.

Yeah I've yet to have any issues with my chrome at all. I wash my car weekly too.

I wouldn't even notice, I use a cover due to all the nightmare posts of the steering wheels falling apart.

You bought the x-2 generation likely for a song and are upset you don’t have all the latest bells and whistles? At least you (likely) have the amazing rainbow roof when it rains

i asked tesla why not upgrade all the old cars in their inventory. ofc, no reply, or ignored, no one cares. i’m sure techs have nothing todo as HOURLY. flat rate tech is dying the fact that hrs from e.g. alldata suck like shit and $ rate sucks non offer $45+ probably better off opening a shop with 1-4ppl and make profit.

Dude I sit on my hands with the seat warmer on 😂

It's a rather unimportant feature though....

3 mile? That's a lovely, short commute!

most days anyway. Every so often I have to travel to my alternate office 20 miles north haha. hence the reason for the car (plus free charging)